Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kottar (Agenzia Fides) – Christians in Tamil Nadu are asking for protection and are seriously concerned for the possibility of anti-Christian aggression and attacks during Christmas time. This is what has been expressed by the local parishes in the Diocese of Kottar (Tamil Nadu) in dialogue with the police and civil authorities, requesting that they take necessary measures in preventing violence.
According to reports from the local Church, the statement written by the Christians sends out an alert: the Hindu extremist groups like “Vishwa Hindu Parishad” and the RSS are supposedly organizing a “Violence Week,” for this Christmas 2008, targeting innocent Christians of various denominations, present in Tamil Nadu. For several days now, there have been open threats and intimidation against Christian families in the Diocese of Kottar and they are afraid that what has occurred in Orissa could be repeated there.
The local Church has informed the local police of the situation, asking that they provide adequate protection. The Hindu extremists are already on the offensive: for the week of Christmas, they are organizing a giant Hindu festival for hundreds of activists. The Church is extremely concerned and is afraid that Christmas could become an event filled with destruction and bloodshed.
In the meantime, the central government in India has presented a means to fighting terrorism through prevention. The Church in India has asked that within the term of terrorism, they may include violence committed by extremist groups against certain communities, as is the case of the anti-Christian violence in Orissa. “This appalling violence undermines the civil and democratic foundations of the nation, depriving citizens of their inalienable rights” and thus, it should be considered “terrorist activity,” they affirm. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 18/12/2008)
