Indians urge government to stop ignoring violence against Christians

Published: 2007-05-30

NEW DELHI (CNS) -- Christians in India have urged the federal and state governments to stop ignoring the growing attacks on the minority Christian community. More than 1,000 Christians demanded the governments take responsibility during a New Delhi protest May 29 organized by the All India Christian Council, the Archdiocese of Delhi and other church and advocacy groups. John Dayal, head of the All India Catholic Union, told Catholic News Service that the "reminder to the authorities is that your silence kills. The governments should act to stop this spiral of violence." Although the incidents seem sporadic, Dayal said, the attacks on Christians were carried out "systematically" by Hindus using the persecution of Christians "to unite and consolidate" their Hindu support base. Father Victor D'Souza, vicar general of the Delhi Archdiocese, told those gathered at the rally: "We are citizens of this country. Yet, we are being singled out and attacked."

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