ASIA/INDIA - The Church tells the National Integration Council: “There is an urgent need for a law to stop violence against Christians and give more social influence to minorities.”

New Delhi (Agenzia Fides) – Turn all eyes, especially those of cultural and religious minorities in India, issue of the irrational intercommunitarian violence and premeditated attacks against Christians: with this objective, the National Integration Council met on October 13. The Council is made up of representatives from politics, civil society, and religious communities, and was begun to face the delicate matters concerning conflict and violence in Indian society.
The Council, which has not met in three years, came together to make an in-depth examination of the worrisome phenomenon of the anti-Christian violence. As a result, they came up with the “Communal Violence Bill,” that is, an ad hoc form of legislation to try to stop the campaign of violence that has its eyes set on a certain religious community.
Representing the Catholic Church during the Sessions, were Archbishop Vincent Concessao of Delhi and other lay leaders of Christian entities that are working to keep the public informed. Also present were leaders of human rights organizations, representatives from movements and parties, and leaders of other religious communities.
The Council discussed the absurd campaign of “organized elimination” and the damages suffered by Christian communities, beginning in Orissa and extending to 12 states in the Federation, highlighting the need for all social, cultural, and religious entities (majority or minority alike) to contribute to building a peaceful, pluralistic, lay and democratic India.
They also called for increased coordination among federal authorities and those of the individual Indian states, in order to prevent violence and bring those responsible to justice. They also asked for the solidarity and commitment of all religious minorities in India, to accompany the Christians, as they all take part in the civil livelihood of the country.
The Catholic Church mentioned its intention to continue in working in the area of literacy, education, and social-economic promotion of those outside the caste system, the dalit, the poor, and the marginalized. For this, the Church has often been criticized by the leaders of Hindu radicalist movements.
In conclusion, the Council mentioned several concrete steps to be taken by all those present: stop the campaign of ideological hate and violence; prosecute criminals according to the law; pass the “Communal Violence Bill” to block violence against minorities; guarantee cultural and religious minorities equal opportunity and greater representation in public office, the police, the judicial system; reform the education system in the country, in a democratic, global, and profound way, providing adequate education for the poorest classes. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 15/10/2008)