WCC concerned over violence in India

The executive committee of the world Council of Churches (WCC) issued a statement on religious violence in India and expressed concern over the persecution of Christians in the country.

The minority Christians in Orissa have recently experienced a series of attacks in the form of looting, destruction of churches and church–run institutions. Reports are that 50 thousand Christians have been displaced, some taking refuge in forests and living in relief camps, its statement said.

It further urged the government of India to meet its constitutional obligations and said the violence is “an assault on the Constitution of India.”

"The govt. should take steps to prevent violence, and harassments against the Christian minorities in Orissa and other parts of the country," it added.

It also expressed deep concern over the recent escalation of violence and condemned the killing of non–combatants and all forms of human rights violations in Srilanka.

According to estimates from the All India Christian Council, 37 Christians have been killed in the state of Orissa alone, including 2 Protestant pastors; more than 4,000 homes belonging to Christians have been burned; and more than 50,000 faithful have been forced to flee. Of these, only 14,000 are believed to be in refugee camps provided by the government. Tens of thousands are hiding in the forest.

Meanwhile, the Indian Christian Community of Canada and their supporters came out in large numbers to show solidarity with their Christian brethren in the country.

Hundreds signed petitions addressed to: The High Commissioner of India: demanding that the Government of India take immediate action to protect minorities, the Prime Minister of Canada: requesting the Canadian government to investigate the Human rights violations perpetrated by Bajrang dal and its leaders.

A delegation of parishioners in UAE also rose up to express their pain and grievances.

They proceeded to the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and handed over a Memorandum together with well bound 80,000 signatures to be forwarded to the President and Prime Minister of India. Similar two more sets were also handed over to be forwarded to the Home Minister of the Centre and to the Governor of the state of Karnataka.

Violence in Orissa was sparked after a Hindu religious leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four others were killed on Aug. 23 in the state. Houses were torched and places of worships were attacked in the violence instigated by Hindu fanatics, mainly in Kandhamal district, the epicenter of the violence.

It has also spread to Karnataka and other parts of the country, receiving international condemnation including the Vatican, US and France.