Anti-Christian violence for raising passion ahead of polls:org

New Delhi, Sep 26 (PTI) Upset over continuous violence
against churches and Christians in various parts of the
country, the All India Christian Council Friday claimed that
it was aimed at generating passion before the upcoming general
elections.

The organisation accused the Centre and some state
governments of acting slowly and demanded immediate deployment
of army in Orissa, which has seen the most violence.

The Council said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should
visit Orissa to understand fully the plight of Christians in
the state after a Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader was killed
there.

"Over one hundred churches were burned, dozens of
Christians killed and thousands attacked in their homes across
India in the last month. We expect more violence in the days
leading up to national elections, which are required by May
2009," All India Christian Council Regional Secretary Madhu
Chandra said in a release.

"They talk of conversion as if this were an evil,
unnatural thing. They make accusations about foreign funding
of churches to create fear. What we haven't seen is firm
progress toward permanent changes that will bring mob leaders
to justice and stop future violence," he said.

The Council demanded establishment of a state commission
for minorities in Orissa besides court proceedings by state
governments, under Indian Penal Code 295A (Deliberate and
malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings) or
other appropriate laws, against fundamentalist leaders who
allegedly made inflammatory remarks.

It said if state governments insist on investigating
foreign funding of Christian groups and organisations despite
records already maintained by Ministry of Home Affairs, then
studies must examine all non-profit organisations, regardless
of religious affiliation.