Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Ahmedabad (Agenzia Fides) - The Christians of Gujarat raise their aim and openly protest against the government of Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the state of Gujarat (western India) and leader of the Hindu nationalist "Bharatiya Janata Party" (BJP). The party and the radical movements that it supports are suspected of being directly responsible for recent anti-Christian incidents in the state, such as the desecration of a Christian cemetery in Ahmedabad (see Fides 01/02/2012). In past days, thousands of Christians, along with representatives of other minority communities and moderate faithful Hindus had protested in front of the City Hall in Ahmadebad, alarmed by "the plans of the government of Narendra Modi against the Christian community".
As referred to Fides, the leaders of the NGO "All India Council Cristian" (AICC) have evidence that in the destruction of the cemetery members of the BJP party are implicated and they denounce the complicity of the police who have not stopped but have facilitated the abusive action, and were even reluctant to accepting a complaint. "The police seem not only justified but even rewarded, as it adapts to the hostile positions towards religious minorities, which characterize the Prime Minister of the state" says to Fides Samson Christian, AICC leader in Gujarat, calling for the immediate protection for Christian and Muslim religious minorities in Gujarat.
Joseph Dias of the NGO "Catholic Secular Forum," on going there, told Fides: "We urgently need the commitment of Christians, civil society and all the moderates to stop the radical Hindu groups. The government of Narendra Modi has failed miserably in ensuring protection for the believers of minority communities and now also for the places of worship. This does not bode well for religious freedom in Gujarat and across India". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 08/02/2012)
