Supreme Court orders protection of Christians

The highest judicial court in India has ordered the protection of minorities, especially Christians who were victims of violence by Hindu fundamentalists.

The Supreme Court on Monday asserted it would not allow persecution of minorities and asked the state government to resign if unable to protect the Christians.

"We are secular country. We cannot allow persecution of minorities," a Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan said.

Justice Markandey Katju, one of judges hearing the case criticized the Orissa government's handling of the issue and demanded that it should not withdraw the existing Para-military forces in the state unless violence ebbs.

"It is the duty of the state government to protect the minority community. You (State) have done only after 50,000 people of the minority community fled to the jungles," the bench said.

"We will not accept the persecution of minority. If the state government is unable to protect them it should resign," Justice Katju observed and added, "We have to protect the minority".

Earlier the apex court had directed the state government in rendering protection to Christians, subsequently dispatching thousands of security forces to ensure a peaceful Yuletide celebration.