The Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations of North America (FIACONA) said it will hold a prayer rally outside the White House to raise awareness about the religious violence against Christians in India, where dozens of believers have died in recent weeks.
The rally will be held during President Bush’s meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday, September 24, the group added. Both leaders were expected to sign a nuclear agreement.
POLICING RECORD
Thursday’s protest comes after Pope Benedict XVI and other church officials, including the Archbishop of Canterbury, reportedly criticized India’s record in policing anti-Christian riots. At least 45 Christians have been murdered by mobs of Hindu fanatics over the past month, mainly in the tense eastern state of Orissa, according to church officials. Some 50,000 people have been driven from their villages and 4,000 homes destroyed amid an upsurge in Hindu nationalism.
In addition, news emerged Wednesday, September 24, that in new violence one person was killed when police opened fire on a Hindu mob that stormed a police station in Orissa, demanding the release of extremist leaders held for attacking Christians there.
Amid indications that clashes are spreading to several states, a US federal commission has urged Bush, a self-declared ‘born again’ Christian who has openly expressed his faith while in office, to press the issue when he meets Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh.
LEADERSHIP "INADEQUATE"
Felice D. Gaer, the chairman of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, said in published remarks that “if India is to exercise global leadership Prime Minister Singh should demonstrate his government’s commitment to uphold the basic human rights obligations to which it has agreed … The Indian government’s response remains inadequate."
Yet, an Indian government team has already criticised the government of southern Karnataka state for not doing enough to stop attacks on churches and clergymen. Special Home Secretary ML Kumawat was assessing why at least 20 churches have been desecrated in recent weeks. The attacks have been carried out by the militant Hindu group Bajrang Dal.
The latest wave of massive anti-Christian violence began August 23, after the killing of a Hindu leader and four of his followers in Orissa. Hindu militants blamed Christians, although Maoists claimed responsibility for the killings.
