Anti-Christian agenda continues despite promise by Indian PM

Despite assurance from Indian prime minister Narendra Modi that he would act sternly against those perpetuating ‎hate crimes in the name of religion, Hindu radicals are bent upon reconversion until the government stops them. “"We will continue with the programmes of ‘ghar wapsi’ [reconversion to Hinduism], unless the government introduces anti-conversion laws at the national level", warned Praveen Togadia, leader of the Hindu radical group, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).  On Feb. 28, Saturday, the group is set to celebrate 50 years of activism in Kandhamal district of eastern India’s Odisha state, the region which in 2008 became the epicenter of the worst anti-Christian riots in the history of India. Sajan George, leader of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), told AsiaNews: "Peace has not yet been restored in the area and there are still tensions. The presence of the VHP will marginalize and terrorize the vulnerable Christian community even more " .

While ‎addressing a Catholic gathering on Feb. 17, Modi, who swept to power with his pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party, said, "We cannot accept violence against any religion on any pretext, and ‎I strongly condemn such violence. My government will act strongly in this regard," Modi added. Since then Togadia's declarations, the upcoming celebration of the VHP in Kandhamal and three recent incidents of violence against Christians, have taken place. 

Police arrested some 20 Christians for distributing Christian literature in northern Rajasthan state ‎on ‎Wednesday, while Mangalore Diocese in Karnataka state said a group of unidentified suspects ‎early ‎Tuesday threw stones at a prayer hall, smashing the protective glass pane of a Marian statue.  In ‎the ‎southern Indian state of Kerala, a cemetery at the Mar Thoma Church was vandalized in ‎Pathanamthitta district twice on Sunday and Monday.  ‎The continuing attacks on Christians and their ‎institutions show that "the strong message of Prime ‎Minister Modi has either not reached those ‎perpetuating [violence], or they don't take it seriously," said ‎Joseph Chinnayyan, spokesperson of the ‎Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI).   ‎ The Mumbai-based Catholic Secular ‎Forum (CSF) says that about 300 clergymen and Christian leaders were targeted in incidents of ‎violence around the country last year.‎

Meanwhile, Christian and civil rights groups in Odisha have won temporary relief when authorities banned Togadia from entering the sensitive Kandhamal district of Odisha state.   “He (Togadia) will not be allowed to enter the district. The ban is valid for next seven days,” Kandhamal’s Superintendent of Police Kanwar Vishal Singh said.  Togadia was scheduled to address a gathering of VHP supporters at Phulbani, the district headquarters of Kandhamal, Saturday.  Singh said the organizers have been however given permission to hold the gathering but without Togadia.  Different Christian groups and social activists had moved the local and state administration seeking a ban on Togadia’s visit, saying his speeches might inflame communal division in the district.