Anti-Christian attacks flare in India
Some see a government hand in the fanatical Hindu anger against a minority and its converts.
September 23, 2008
Bangalore, India, which is also known as the Silicon Valley of Karnataka State is supposed to represent the idea of a “new India.”
Recently the Hindu’s have been attaching Christians. On Monday September 22, 2008 there were attacks, some of stone-throwing and vandalizing churches. The total number of church attacks in a week is now more than 20. There is an explosion of anti-Christian violence crossing India. Many citizens fear this will interrupt the national elections in May.
The Hindu’s claim this “unrest” is not caused but them but people trying to convert Hindu’s. Some believe this is “politically motivated” hoping to gain votes for the Hindu nationalist Bharatrya Janata Party. This party is also known as BJP which has now become a main opposition over last decade. This group believes India is a Hindu nation whereas other religions are considered outsiders.
The issues began last August after the murder of a Hindu priest. This matter is blamed on Christians. The anti-Christian problems continue to spread. Commission for Minorities blames police adding they were nowhere around during previous acts of violence.
The BJP stands behind that they are not politically motivated. They even went as far to say that these violent allegations are false or that the Christians did it themselves. All of this even involves jobs, because they are fighting for government jobs and benefits. This has led to the BJP installing “conversion laws,” which lead to prison sentences and fines for anyone forcing someone to change religions. Although this law is rarely taken seriously or convicting people. The Christian leaders are now trying to decide if they can depend on the government for protection or if they need to form their own defense.
I feel that this problem is just getting worse. This is not the first time I have written about this problem in India. I do believe that most of this is politically driven. The Hindu’s want to elect their candidate and it doesn’t have to take the Hindu sector to violate the Christians in order for this to happen.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0924/p07s03-wosc.html