Human rights violations increasing rather than decreasing in India
Mumbai (AsiaNews) – On Human Rights Day, the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) has slammed the authorities’ callous attitude towards the country’s Christian minority. “We are deeply hurt and pained to see the Orissa government delay justice for the victims of pogrom against Christians in Orissa, but also the way the nun rape case is being treated. The GCIC, on the occasion of Human Rights Day, urges the governments to be sensitive to the rights of Christians in India,” GCIC President Sajan K George said in a statement released to the press.
Mr George also condemned attempts by state authorities in Karnataka to conceal the truth about anti-Christian attacks, whether because of their inability to contain the violence or perhaps from a desire to save the reputation of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The situation is not much better in Orissa as far attacks against churches are concerned. “The culprits have not been found even if they could be seen moving freely in the light of day, like heroes, since no attempt was made to touch them. This is a deliberate act on the part of the authorities, either because they were ordered to do so or because they were party to the crimes,” he said.
The GCIC president also noted that attacks Christian places of worship continue, although in a more random manner and with a little less ferocity.
At the lower level, police officials in many cases still appear to be helping the perpetrators of crimes. This makes the latter dangerous, a threat to society.
In Mangalore and Udupi, 133 attacks have taken place since 2008, George said. “It is a well planned scheme for the purpose of terrorising the Christian community in the state, especially those who have become Christian in the past few years”.
“Violations of human rights are rising rather than going down,” said Fr Cedric Prakash, a Jesuit who heads Prashant, the Jesuit Centre for Human Rights, Justice and Peace in Ahmedabad. “This is the painful reality we must deal with.”
Thousands of Tribals are still denied access to the forests, lands, and water they once owned.
“The Dalits are still children of ‘a lesser God’ in most parts of the country. Women and children, being the most vulnerable, are also easy targets for all types of violations,” he explained.
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