Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
New Delhi (Agenzia Fides) – On the occasion of Human Rights Day, December 10 “it is necessary to examine the situation of human rights in India and to urge the government to solve various questions demanding a solution. One of the most urgent is the issue of religious minorities in the country: their right to religious freedom is mercilessly and repeatedly trampled by militant groups which enjoy maximum impunity on the new political scene following general elections held this year”. This was affirmed in a message issued by the Justice and Peace Commission of the Indian Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
The Message, signed by executive secretary Father Charles Irudayam, and sent to Fides says: “These militant groups not only take the law into their own hands attacking and intimidating religious minority communities, they also defy the local government which makes a real effort to guarantee the rule of law”. Recent episodes of violence reported in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Chhattisgarh were “only the tip of the iceberg”, the message affirms. These groups which belong to the Hindu extremist galaxy, “have no respect for constitutional norms and can become a national threat and a danger for human rights” the Bishops explain.
“Just as perplexing is the situation of Tribals” the Message reads. Their rights “are trampled on, in the name of development, to placate the profit interests of major multinational companies,”. Millions of Adiavsis (indigenous people) are forced to leave their lands and their protests “are mercilessly repressed”.
The message also abhors “the living conditions of Dalits, subjected unscrupulously to violence”. Athough India’s constitution has abolished the term ‘untouchable’, it remains, “and Dalit Christians and Muslims are the most affected” . The Message recalls other vulnerable people in India, women and children. According the Indian National Crime Bureau, in India every day 92 women are raped, and “not enough is being done to protect children from slavery”.
On the occasion of World Human Rights Day the Catholic Bishops urge the government authorities to “honour their obligation to protect human rights of every Indian citizen”, making their own the words of Pope Francis they conclude: “The Church renews today her commitment to safeguarding the dignity and centrality of every person, respect for the dignity and centrality of every person, and respect for his or her human rights, as underlined in her social teaching, and requests that these rights be truly extended to where they are denied to millions of men and women on every continent”. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 9/12/2014)
