Why attacks on Christians in India???

History is evident that political Hinduism was always an eternal part of Secular India, and to be more precise - the inseparable part. Although the Indian post-Independence history is tagged by discrimination and violence against Muslims but the rise of anti-Christian sentiment is a more recent phenomenon. Initially appearing as isolated incidents of violence against minorities, the aggression against Christians has now intensified both in its frequency and severity. Latest in the series is the communal madness shown by the VHP goons that started in Orissa and was then extended to other states and districts of India. The magnitude of damage that Sangh Parivar has caused to the minority society is beyond describing in words. Analyzing the situation, the question remains why are the Christians under attack in India? What is the motivation behind this naked, shameful orgy of violence against a minority in a secular state?
The answer lies in the growing communalization of Indian politics that has now crept into the society as well. The ideology of Sangh Parivar aims to unite the Hindus and strengthen the Hindu cultural foundations. Being a Hindu extremist organization, it insists that ‘nationhood’ must be founded on Hindutva dogma. Putting it simple it’s like – although India is a democracy (as it claims) but as Hindu constitutes the majority of population so India should become an acknowledged Hindu state - where these minorities are proving to be the basic obstacle (curse) in their way of success.
The Human Rights Watch report on violence against Christians in India agrees to the maintained fact as it says, “India’s inter-religious violence now extends to the Christians, and its underlying causes are the same as those promoting violence against Muslims, Dalits and other marginalized groups in the country. Political and economic power struggles linked rhetorically to the creation of a Hindu nation.” The report further says that there are numerous compilations of atrocities perpetrated upon Christians, and they suggest an alarming pattern of violence.
Both Muslim and Christian communities have faced repeated attacks from Hindu activists in the past. The history suggests, as the Hindutva ideology has grown more powerful over the years, Hindutva activists have coddled in organized pogroms to eliminate minority communities.

Kashmir - Glory turned a Nightmare

THE destiny of Kashmir as written by the “Shining” India is a total dismay and bloodshed spread over a huge period of time. Over 700,000 of Indian army residing in the Indian held Kashmir (IHK) has done a colossal damage to the Kashmir valley that was once regarded as heaven on earth. The insurgency which was amplified in 1989 is continued till today. Ever since then, innumerable Kashmiris have lost their lives in this violence. Hundreds of thousand people went missing and numerous are being brutally tortured in jails. Thousands of young children made orphans and their mothers widowed. Infinite number of women is molested by the so-called care takers of the valley. Countless houses and shops burnt and destroyed with a number of unnamed graves lying down in the valley. This is Kashmir - under the Indian occupation. Sadly the heaven on earth has been gradually changed in the land of crimson red.Since 1989, the wails of family members mourning their dead have been persistent to life in Jammu state.

A US based watchdog, Human Rights Watch, says in a report: "The Indian army and paramilitary forces are responsible for innumerable and serious violations of human rights in Kashmir. Extrajudicial executions are widespread in Kashmir. The alleged militants (majority of which are turned to be innocent local people later) taken into custody are often executed instead of being brought to trail. Most of those summarily executed are falsely reported to have died during the armed clashes between the army and the militants". India might claims to be the world’s largest democracy but the fact remains that this country is rewarding its men with more money, power and commendations for killing innocent people in Kashmir. Its security forces are accountable for disappearance of countless people in Jammu and Kashmir since 1989 and staged encounter killings by fabricating claims that those killed were militants. These innocents are killed for the promotions and awards promised in return of their evil courage by the Indian government. Recently, Srinagar court has issued non-bailable warrants against five army personnel, including a colonel, who were accused of killing a mosque priest in a fake encounter in 2006 and passing him off as a militant to achieve awards. How distressful that the concerned men have never appeared in any session of the court.

For sure, fake encounters were never uncommon in Kashmir but gradually the situation is getting worse. It is all due to the impunity enjoyed by the Indian troops and officials which is fueling the conflict. Kashmiri human rights defenders say that thousands of people have disappeared since the conflict began, where most were last seen in the custody of Indian troops. Jammu State Human Rights Commission in its annual report for the year 2006-07 has registered a double increase in custodial killings and disappearances, where Human Rights groups noted that police officials often refused to turn over bodies in cases of suspected staged encounters. The bodies were often cremated even before their families could view them. Asia Director at Human Rights Watch, Mr. Brad Adams said in a report “This epidemic of fake “encounter killings” by the Indian security forces has plagued Kashmir for too long”. Still the world is turning deaf ear towards the woes of Kashmiris. It is high time when the International community should condemn the unforgiving violations of human rights by the Indian security forces. Indian government has always side tracked the issue of Kashmir to cover up its occupation of Kashmiri land through brutal force. Now the international community must urge India to come to the negotiation table to decide the fate of Kashmir jointly with Pakistan and according to the wishes and aspirations of the Kashmiris people. If India is really sincere in resolving the issue (as it claims) then it should stop repression in Kashmir now.