Karnataka, Christians most affected in surge in ethnic and religious violence.
Mumbai (AsiaNews)
- Among the southern states of India, Karnataka is the worst in terms of ethnic
or religious motivated violence, as has been revealed in a report by the
Ministry of Internal Affairs , according to which in the last three years there
have been 222 episodes. Most
of this violence has affected the Christian community. "
The Global Council of Indian Christians ( GCIC ) - Sajan George , president of
the organization tells AsiaNews - has
reported 150 incidents against the minority in the last three years, including
more than 40 in 2013 ."
On
a national scale, Karnataka is in fourth place after Uttar Pradesh (347 cases)
, Maharashtra (326) and Madhya Pradesh (299) . In
the southern region instead it is followed by Kerala (126), Andhra Pradesh
(114) and Tamil Nadu (86 ) . The
study presents the number of accidents that occurred in the Indian state
distributed per year: in 2010 there were 71, 70 in 2011 , 69 in 2012 , 12 in
the first quarter of 2013 .
According
to Sajan George , the report "does not address the indifference of the
State before the growing climate of intolerance towards religious minorities .
Central and state governments have failed in implementing rules to curb the
perpetrators of these crimes. At the same time, it is unacceptable hear
about 'impartial' police officers when some agents apply excessive use of force
against the Christians".
Sajan
George also revealed, "now the perpetrators of these attacks are
concentrated in villages and rural and remote areas, where it is easier to stir
up tensions between communities because policies are more lax and there is a
lower level of education ."
.png)
