India criticized for religious violence, human rights failure

From all sides - political as well as spiritual - reports and open letters have been condemning the human rights violations and the failure of Indian government in curbing religious violence in the country.

The British Opposition Conservative Party Monday, at the launch of its Human Rights Commission Annual Report expressed concern over India's track record

In its report, the Tory Party noted that India despite being the world's largest democracy is a cause of concern in terms of religious freedom, even as eight states have already passed the anti-conversion laws. It even condemned the recent anti-Christian violence in Orissa.

Says the report, the violence first began on Christmas Eve 2007 and the worst outbreak of anti-Christian violence erupted in 2008 in Orissa. The violence first began on Christmas Eve in 2007 and during the space of a few days several Christians were murdered, 65 churches down, 600 homes destroyed and hundreds of Christians displaced.

"For few a months the tensions simmered and the perpetrators were not brought to justice. After the assassination of Hindu Swami leader on August 23 this year, violence erupted again when extremist Hindu mobs blamed Christians for the murder.

"Anti-Christian violence spread throughout Orissa and according to the All India Christian Council over 53,000 people were displaced and at least 60 killed. There were numerous reports of gang-rape, mutilations and burning of people and some victims were buried alive. There have also been report of forced conversion of Christians to Hinduism."

David Cameron, the Conservative Party leader speculated the tabling of a new bill of Human Rights in UK. He said with the return to power at the next General Elections, the Party would expand the current Foreign and Commonwealth Office Freedom of Religion Panel, make the panel permanent and convene regular meetings.

According to the politico, the Tory Party would also appoint a Special Representative of FCO Freedom of Religion Panel to monitor international trends and cases.

A EU delegation is set to visit India this month to examine the religious persecution and also to make recommendations to the government.

Lord Bach, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Ministry of Justice, last month said, the British government "unequivocally" condemned the incidents and urged New Delhi to uphold the right to freedom of religion.

"The U.K. will continue to urge the Government of India to uphold the right to freedom of religion. Our High Commission in Delhi, along with European and other partners, continues to monitor the situation in Orissa," he said.

Meanwhile, with the arrival of winter, Christians fear that the victims of Kandhamal violence might be forced to suffer in the biting cold. Over 20,000 people still are believed to be in relief camps or makeshift shelters – with less blankets and lack of basic amenities. The violence since August led to the fleeing of over 50,000 people in Orissa - mostly tribals.