An open letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on “rising cases of direct discrimination against Christians” urging him to assure the community that everyone will be treated equally, a group of former Indian officials wrote. This was reported on March 7 by the American Catholic portal Crux.
The open letter was signed by 93 former officials of the Constitutional Behavior Group.
“The main accusation against Christians is forced conversion, and for this accusation they have been attacked verbally, physically and psychologically, both against their person and against their institutions”says the letter from the retired officials.
“Christians make up only 2.3% of India’s population, and this percentage has remained more or less unchanged since the 1951 census”they continued. “However, according to some, this small number poses a threat to the 80% of the population that practices Hinduism!”
The letter also referred to the case of the late father of Stan Swamy, who was arrested on terrorism charges “through no fault of his own, except that he worked closely with the Adivasis, Dalits and other disadvantaged people of Jharkhand.” He died of COVID-19 while in prison. The signatories said he was “virtually put to death by the state.”
The letter notes that attacks on Christians occur mainly in the Indian states of Chhattisgarh, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
Attacks on Christians increased from 279 in 2020 to 505 in 2021 and 511 in 2022, according to the United Christian Forum.
“Churches and homes of Dalit and tribal Christians were destroyed, cemeteries vandalized, educational and medical facilities attacked and prayer meetings terrorized.”points to the letter.
“As the prime minister of our country and all its people, including Muslims, Christians and other religious minorities, and as a leading member of the BJP [индуистской националистической правящей партии] We call on you to speak out against these outrageous acts and ensure that police and other officials prevent similar incidents from happening again.”says the letter.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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