The American Spectator : Reputation Reversal

Reputation Reversal

By Doug Bandow on 6.2.09 @ 6:07AM

(Page 2 of 2)

Still, in the recent election the BJP unashamedly incorporated Hindu extremists committed to the use of violence. Among its victorious candidates in the recent election for Orissa's state legislature was Manoj Pradhan, accused of involvement in anti-Christian riots and murder last year. Arun Gandhi, a cousin of Congress Party heir apparent Rahul Gandhi, inflamed the election campaign by giving a well-publicized speech threatening to cut off the hands of non-Hindus. BJP leader Narendra Modi is banned from entering the U.S. because of his involvement in deadly anti-Muslim riots in 2002 that continue to poison communal relations.

While the Congress victory does not guarantee the end of anti-Christian violence, it does indicate that the Indian electorate has tired of politicians who attempt to use religious tensions for political gain. Journalist Vijay Simha argued that "The election result is a statement against the persecution of non-Hindus" and "a strong rejection of extremist religious programs." John Dayal of the All India Christian Council pointed out that the BJP was "defeated not by Christians or Muslims, but by secular Hindus."

Christian leaders expect the national government to do a better job protecting religious minorities. They are less certain that the BJP has learned that intolerance and violence don't pay. Samha warned: "extremist groups often step up activities to garner funds and patronage when they are on the retreat." After all, the violence in Orissa occurred after the defeat of the national BJP government.

Ultimately, the persecution problem needs to be confronted at the state level. But the national government could help. For example, the Institute on Religion and Public Policy has recommended that New Delhi push for abolition of "anti-conversion" laws aimed at evangelism, and the training of police officers "to remain unbiased during their investigations and the manners in which they handle interreligious violence and tension." The inefficient court system also requires an overhaul to ease prosecution of those who use violence.

The Congress victory is good news for India's religious minorities, including Christians. While Washington can do little directly to intervene directly, it can reinforce the new Indian government's good instincts by pointing out that if New Delhi desires great global influence, it needs to reduce the communal violence that continues to mar the country's international image. For India, protecting Christians, Muslims, and other religious minorities from violence is not only the right thing to do. It is the smart thing to do.

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Letter to the Editor

topics:
Religious Persecution

sunny.aamsvad@gmail.com| 6.3.09 @ 7:29PM

Attacking Xtians and all that stuff in India. Abhorring….it is the work of silly ,mindless Hindu Extremists!If those hindus who did this have some sense they will work on removing caste system in Hindu Society.

Nevertheless I would like to give another angle to this issue. I am not supporting either, but this the other side of the story!

There are 2 types of Xtians in India.
1)Secular Xtians :-
Mostly converted long long ago. Secular!They treat Hindus with respect at least as Humans. Educated Forward looking and Integrating with the society.

2)COMMUNAL Xtians:-
Recently converted, HATE HINDUISM.Abhors Hindus.Openly calls Hindusim as Stupid,Statanic,Shameless and ask Hindus to convert (I am educated and from a city,I have faced this many times;Every 850 million Hindu’s in India faces this).They do evangelical activities right outside Hindu Temples.In their Xtian Schools/Hospitals if you are a Hindu and want to become a Xtian they will charge normal fees or else Exorbitant fees. Many missionaries ARE SUPPORTING INSURGENCIES, EXTRIMISM AND SESSIONIST ACTIVITIES IN MANY PART OF India(nagaland,mizoram,Manipur,arunachal ,tripura,jharkhand).Sad part is US dollars are ending up with these Seperatists.

Suppose some one in a American Xtian Family passes away and some muslim preachers come to them and ask"Become a Muslim! This has happened to you because you are not a Muslim"!What would be that Xtian's reaction?

This happens in India again and again, every where and to all the 850 million Hindus.
Only difference is Hindus have been facing it for the past 250 years and the people who
do such things are Evengelicals. I faced it many times. Even ultra Rich Hindus face this.Mostly Hindus say "AS A HINDU I BELIEVE IN JESUS AND ACCEPT THE BIBLE AS THE WORD OF THE LORD".Simple 99.99 % are secular.They believe all religions lead to the lord.So they wont be reacting negatively for such brazen evangelical behaviour's. But,if you are a poor Hindu and hence weak surely you cannot be expected to withstand the Evangelical pressure. As they say a Hungary man has no religion.And these are the majority of Neo Xtians.And all of them 99.99% are COMMUNAL.(Another point here is only Hindus are forced to convert ,not Muslims.It seems ,Xtian missionaries are scared of them!).

The above argument in no way can support the barbarity of some stupid Hindus against Xtians .I feel both are wrong! The Idiot hindus who burn churches and those stupid Xtians who call Hindus as sinners and put pressure on them till they convert to Xtianity!

Pingback| 6.8.09 @ 10:10AM

…won the latest election in India. And that likely was good news for religious minorities, including Christians, who have suffered significant persecution and violence in recent years. So I argue in the American Spectator online. Post a Comment Name (required) E-mail (will not be published) (required) Website Doug Bandow is Vice President of Policy for Citizen Outreach, a Washington-based grassroots political…