Updated 12:47 pm.EST, Sun November 22, 2009

World|Fri, Sep. 19 2008 05:17 PM EDT

India Gov't Criticizes States amid Anti-Christian Attacks

By Rahul Benjamin|Christian Today Reporter

Following the persecution of Christians in Orissa and Karnataka, the Government of India on Thursday criticized the state governments for their failure to control the violence by Hindu radical groups.

The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a warning under Article 355 that it would be compelled to take action against the state governments if violence did not cease.

Article 355 of the Constitution enjoins the Union to protect every State against external aggression and internal disturbance and to ensure that the government of every State is carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.

According to reports, the VHP and Bajrang Dal groups have persecuted Christians in various parts of the country.

After the Orissa violence where hundreds of churches were burned and Christians were murdered, Bajrang Dal and VHP groups shifted their attention to South India, where the ongoing violence in Mangalore and other areas have been deplored countrywide.

In Mangalore, schools and shops remained shut and vehicles kept off the roads following group clashes and demonstrations by Christian groups that protested attacks on them.

The National Commission for Minorities said that there are “serious lapses” on the part of the Karnataka government in controlling the attacks on churches and prayer halls throughout the State.

It has sought the arrest of Bajrang Dal State convener Mahendra Kumar, who has claimed responsibility for many of the attacks, and action against the police personnel, who allegedly abetted violence.

Recent anti-Christian violence in Karnataka and in the eastern state of Orissa have led to calls for a ban on Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, another militant Hindu organization.

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  • Sat Sep 27, 2008 10:10 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

    What will US government do if Hindus come to US and say Jesus is not the God n Hindu Gods are Supreme.Do you think Bush will give them candle light dinner?.I am sure that Hindus never defame other God.Christians also never do this. BUT A SECTION OF CHRISTIANS IS CAUSING PROBLEMS > I WOULD SAY ONLY A SECTION> FOR THAT ALL THE CHRISTIANS ARE BEING TORCHURED > LIVE AND LET LIVE||

  • Sun Sep 21, 2008 10:41 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

    Please pray for persecution to stop in India, where it is spreading
    from state of Orissa to other State where Hindu party is ruling
    namely in Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh etc where constant attack
    against Christians are taking place. Please, please pray and support
    Christians brothers and sisters in India and other parts of the world
    where persecution is taking place...
    Every Sunday average of 2 churches are attacked by Hindu radicals
    and protection of Christians are at stake.
    In the last week of while peacefully protesting for the attacks on
    churches in Mangalore, Karnataka .the police started lathe charge
    Against protester what the worst case is even nuns where brutally attacked
    by police men ,this done all by Hindu ruling party which hates Christians and
    not one Christian organization have complaint against to the higher authorities
    fearing that they always jailed in for giving complaints. this is becos the govt ministers are calling to ban foreign funds which helps the few churches to carry out its social service activates in the region .
    please pray that all those who where attacked by the Hindu fanatics to have heart to forgive them and pray for the peace and harmony to be there...
    I personally feel that Christian should post the persecution happening every where in the first page as headlines or a link. and most of all this is to pass info so that churches can know and pray for these concerned matter ,where on daily basis somebody is killed for the sake of having Faith in Jesus Christ. please pray and support those who are in great
    Need.

  • Sun Sep 21, 2008 1:30 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

    Groups such as the Viswa Hindu Parishad and BJP are allowed to have non profit status in the US. ofpbjp-usa.org, vhp-america.org, vhp.org.uk. At this mornings services many churches in India are at risk of being attacked by Hindu extremists.

  • Fri Sep 19, 2008 6:17 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

    I pray the state governments do the right thing, and failing that the national government steps in and addresses the problems justly.

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