ASIA/INDIA - “Christians must be barred from public administration” say Hindu extremists: “this goes against the country’s Constitution and human rights” Indian Christians reply

Tuesday, 17 May 2005

New Delhi (Fides Service) - Hindu extremists have launched another fierce anti-Christian campaign the eastern Indian state of Orissa. Member of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council) calling on the state government to dismiss state workers, police, and civil servants who are Christians.
Concerned Christians say “this is open religious discrimination”. The request to dismiss Christians from public administration comes after some people lamented that certain Christian had been favoured in these jobs. Fundamentalist Hindus took the opportunity to launch an awareness campaign anti-Christian via media and with public demonstrations.
The Catholic Church commented the news through the spokesman of the Bishops’ Conference Fr. Babu Joseph, who told Fides: “We do not accept this discriminatory approach with regard to society and public administration. We are seriously concerned that this type of mentality may spread. It is against the constitution of India, human rights and the pluralistic spirit of India. We call on these groups to desist from their request and we may consider writing to the Orissa state authorities and to the Prime Minister of India ”.
Religious violence is not new in Orissa. In the past Christians and Christian institutions have been targeted by Hindu extremists and the nationalist ideology championed by the Baratiya Janata Party (Party of the Indian People). Orissa is among the states of India which adopted a law under which a person who wants change religion must get permission from a magistrate. Christians say the law violates human freedom. Some anti-Christian extremists say Christian programmes to help the development of tribal peoples are a cover up for religious proselytising.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 17/5/2005 Righe: 26 Parole: 291)


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