Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
New Delhi (Agenzia Fides) - On 29 May in Delhi Christians of various denominations will stage a massive demonstration to urge the government to guarantee respect the freedom of belief and worship of all Indian citizens. The demonstration is also a protest against recrudescence in recent months of acts of violence on Christian communities. The ecumenical All India Christian Council and the All India Catholic Union of lay Catholics say that already in the five months of 2007 over 100 episodes of violence against Christian property or persons have been reported. “Priests and nuns and lay Christians have been beaten and injured, women have been raped. Christian workers are badly treated and humiliated and the police does nothing to stop the violence” the demonstration flyer states.
The demonstrators will send a memorandum to the prime minister of India and to the chief of police. In front of the Parliament building they will stop to pray and to read an open letter calling on India's political authorities to take measures to stop violence against “India's tiny peaceful Christian minority ”.
Participants will include representatives of NGOs and human rights groups anxious to defend respect for all human rights and to promote social harmony in the country.
India has a population of over one million of whom 25 million are Christians about 2.5%. Catholics run 17 percent of the country's schools offering a key service to promote cultural, social and political development. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 22/5/2007 righe 25 parole 252)
