End Attacks on US, Say Indian Christians

May 29, 2007

Author: Kamil Zaheer

Source: Reuters

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=126&art_id=nw20070529122426312C675464

Hundreds of Indian Christians, some shouting "hallelujah", held a noisy but peaceful protest in New Delhi on Tuesday, demanding the federal government stop hardline Hindu groups from attacking them.

Christian groups have reported dozens of attacks on priests and institutions over the past year by right-wing groups, said to be linked to the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the country's main opposition group. "This season of attacks on Christians must come to an end," Joseph D'Souza, president of the All India Christian Council, said at the demonstration.

"Come to your senses, prime minister," shouted protesters, some holding placards which read: "We are less than 2.5 percent of the population, why target us?"

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh heads the centrist Congress party-led coalition, which received strong support in the 2004 elections from religious minorities like Muslims and Christians.