The Indian government has failed to prevent increasing violence against Christians and is exploiting communal tensions for political ends, Human Rights Watch charged in a report released today. These sites are not part of Human Rights Watch on the Web, and The HRW has no control over their content or availability.
Christians are the new scapegoat in India's political battles.
Without immediate and decisive action by the government, communal tensions will continue to be exploited for political and economic ends. Smita Narula Researcher, Asia Division of Human Rights Watch Attacks against Christians throughout the country have increased significantly since the BJP began its rule at the center in March 1998. They include the killings of priests, the raping of nuns, and the physical destruction of Christian institutions, schools, churches, colleges, and cemeteries. Thousands of Christians have also been forced to convert to Hinduism. The movement is supported at the local level by militant groups who operate with impunity.