Safety and security of minorities must be the top priority
of all political parties in the coming elections, said All
India Christian Council (aicc), an ecumenical alliance
consisting of hundreds of Christian groups, denominations
and mission agencies.
At a press conference on Monday, aicc secretary general John
Dayal, said there is a need to "reassure minorities...that
India continues to be the secular country envisaged by its
founding fathers and guaranteed by the Constitution."
Denouncing the rising anti-Christian violence in India,
Dayal stressed on the urgency of security, adding that at
least 14 states especially Orissa, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh
and Chhattisgarh saw violence during 2007-2008.
"Even today, over 6,000 Christians in Orissa are forced to
live in refugee camps because of threats to their life and
religion by the Sangh Pariwar workers," Dayal said.
"At its height in August-October 2008, over 50,000 persons
were displaced and forced to run to the jungles as gangs
burnt over 4,000 houses in 300 villages in the Kandhamal
district of Orissa. Hundreds of churches were destroyed.
Many girls and women were molested and raped, including a
Catholic nun."
Dayal, who is also a member of the National Integration
Council, said “Christmas could be celebrated in Orissa only
after over 6,000 Central Reserve Police personnel were
posted to the state.”
The Christian council additionally urged all political
parties to take up the demands of Dalit Christians who have
been deprived of their Schedule Caste status.
It asked Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati to provide
assistance in procuring land for opening schools, especially
English language schools for Dalit children.
Christians and Dalits are "being hindered by official apathy
and inaction," the organization alleged.
The council finally reiterated on its earlier demand for
"adequate representation of Christians in various
organisations, commissions and organs set up by it in
various areas."
