Christian groups plan rally during PM's US visit

Several Indian Christian organizations in America are planning to hold a peace rally coinciding with the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on September 25.

The rally, to protest the ongoing persecution of Christians in India, will be held in the Layfayetter Park opposite the White House.

The coalition of organisations include the Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations of North America (FIACONA), Indian American Catholic Association (IACA), Indian Christian Forum (ICF), The Jubilee Campaign, the Institute for Religion and Public Policy, Christian Solidarity International and few other local and international groups.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government suffers from "inaction" in stopping the violence against Christians for almost a month, John Prabhudoss of the FIACONA said in a statement.

"We are also talking to the National Council of Churches of USA and the US Catholic Bishops Conference to co–sponsor it," he added.

"Violence against the Christians is spreading to other states ruled by the BJP party. Mobilising the opinion of people inside and outside India will help the Prime Minister to take decisive action," the statement said.

Singh is scheduled to meet President George Bush over the nuclear pacts with both the US and France – defining documents that will formally mark the return of New Delhi to the nuclear business after a 34–year gap.