by Nirmala Carvalho

False accusations mounted against young Christians as the aggressors go unpunished. The President of the Global Council of Indian Christians, Sajan K. George makes an appeal to the government: "You should take immediate steps to protect the lives and properties of the microscopic Christian community."

Bangalore (AsiaNews) - In the Karnataka police are all too often complicit with the Hindutva extremists, as the case of Pastor Isaac Samuel (04.01.2011 Hindu radicals fabricate charges against beaten preacher). And at least 200 young Christians have to respond to false accusations made against them in the riots of 2008, following attacks by Hindu extremists, who instead continue to go unpunished.

The Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) denounces the difference in treatment, and collusion of authroities, drawing up a provisional report on the situation of violence committed against the Christian minority in Karnataka. Speaking in an exclusive interview with AsiaNews Sajan K. George, president of the GCIC said: "On the basis of complaints registered with the National Commission for Human Rights in India and the Human Rights Commission of the State, at least 28 attacks were recorded between August and September 2008. And even now the Christian youth of the area are facing about 200 cases of court complaints in connection to the riots that followed the well-planned and organized attacks against churches and places of worship around Dakhina Sannada September 14 and 15, 2008. Instead charges against the aggressors, who are members of the Sri Ram Sena, have not been followed up. "

Sajan K. George adds: "It is a matter of serious concern that the future of our innocent Christian youths are at stake,  With the wrongful cases registered against them, the job opportunities are being denied to our Christian youth in Karnataka because of these false cases. Many of the cases were filed by the authorities out of spite and extraneous pressure. In spite of the directives by the SHRC that the  District administration at all levels should be made liable for all violations in any form and extent of such protection to take action against those who have behaved high handedly against Christian Pastors and believers since 2008, - nothing has been done. "

The president of the GCIC, makes an appeal to the Government of Karnataka: "Immediate steps need to be taken to protect the lives and properties of the microscopic Christian community. And above all it must provide the Christian community, as dictated by our national constitution, the opportunity to practice their faith in peace, and ensure the safety of places of worship. "

• India
• Christian
• persecution
• Karnataka
• police
• collusion
• hindu
• radicals