Human rights violations increasing rather than decreasing in India

(December 11, 2010) On Human Rights Day, the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) has slammed the authorities’ callous attitude towards the country’s Christian minority. “We are deeply hurt and pained to see the Orissa government delay justice for the victims of violence against Christians in Orissa, but also the way the nun rape case is being treated. The GCIC, on the occasion of Human Rights Day, urges the governments to be sensitive to the rights of Christians in India,” GCIC President Sajan K George said in a statement released to the press. Mr George also condemned attempts by state authorities in Karnataka, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party to conceal the truth about anti-Christian attacks. The situation is not much better in Orissa as far attacks against churches are concerned. The culprits have not been found even if they could be seen moving freely in the light of day, like heroes, since no attempt was made to touch them. The GCIC president also noted that attacks Christian places of worship continue, although in a more random manner and with a little less ferocity. In Mangalore 133 attacks have taken place since 2008, George said. “It is a well planned scheme for the purpose of terrorising the Christian community in the state, especially those who have become Christian in the past few years”. Fr Cedric Prakash, a Jesuit Human Rights activist of Gujarat said that violations of human rights are rising rather than going down. “This is the painful reality we must deal with,” he added. Thousands of Tribals are still denied access to the forests, lands, and water they once owned.