Indian Christians in US join demands to ban VHP-instigated violence

17-09-2008

An organization established to represent a network of Indian Christian Organizations in the United States and Canada, is deeply concerned about the increasing threats to the secular and pluralistic nature of Indian society and about the state of religious freedom of Christians in India, reports Michael Ireland, chief orrespondent, ASSIST News Service.

FIACONA, Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations in North America, based in Washington, D.C., has formed strong alliances with interfaith groups and works towards the unity and goodwill of Indians around the world. FIACONA is an advocacy group for freedom of faith and is by far the most influential and recognized face of Indian Christians abroad.

The group seeks an immediate ban on Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), "as the VHP has openly established itself as an anti-Christian organization of militant characteristics," FIACONA says in a media release obtained by ASSIST News.

"The militancy is nowhere short of terrorism and it neither reflects the thoughts of the majority Indian Hindus nor does it represent them," the group says.

"The violence against Christians in Orissa was perpetrated by Hindu radicals, allegedly by the VHP. Hindus are a peace-loving community who follow Ahimsa (non-violence)," it says.

President of FIACONA, Reverend Bernard Malik says, "Since VHP does not follow Ahimsa, it has no right to represent Hindus, it has become a militant organization that most of the Hindus do not identify with, and thus in the interest of the Hindus and in the national interest of secularism, FIACONA demands an immediate ban on the VHP."

Mr. Titus Mathew General Secretary said, "Because of its bloody track record VHP should be disowned by all Indians and particularly by Hindus for misrepresentation of true Hindu values."

The group has been joined by others, also seeking a ban on the VHP.

Indian Congress Seeks Ban on VHP, Bajrang Dal.

The Indian Congress sought a ban on the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrang Dal, saying they were involved in "activities detrimental to the unity and integrity of the country...These organizations should be banned," Congress spokesperson Manish Tiwari said.

Slamming the BJP-Biju Janata Dal ruling combine in Orissa, where communal violence has claimed several lives, Tiwari accused Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik of being ineffective and of "succumbing to the pressure of BJP to become a party to political polarization."

A delegation led by senior CPI (M) leader Brinda Karat and comprising CPI leaders D. Raja and Gurudas Dasgupta and CPI (M) MP Suresh Kurup, asked President Pratibha Patil to direct the Orissa government "to rein in the saffron outfits which are involved in killing numbers of Christians in the state."

Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan demanded a ban on the Rashtriya Swyamasevak Sangh (RSS), the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrang Dal for alleged violence against Christians in Orissa, as he says, "If the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) has to be banned, then why not VHP, Bajrang Dal or RSS."

Swami Agnivesh also demanded a ban on VHP and Bajrang Dal.

Social activist and World Council of Arya Samaj President Swami Agnivesh demanded a complete ban on the activities of VHP and Bajrang Dal in the country.

"There is enough evidence to put a ban on these two organizations ... Bajrang Dal in fact is emerging as a 'terrorist' organization in the country," Swami Agnivesh remarked while expressing concern over the communal violence in Orissa, allegedly unleashed by the members of the VHP and the Bajrang Dal.

Noted social activist Teesta Setalvad is also seeking a ban on VHP. She says, "The violence by VHP and Bajrang Dal against religious minorities in Orissa shows that these are violent terror outfits…It is part of a greater conspiracy to spread communal tensions. SIMI is banned for the same and hence Bajrang Dal and its affiliates should also be banned."

Other social activists are also demanding a ban on the VHP. The social activists, who included among others Ms Meenakshi Ganguly from Asia Division Human Rights Watch, National Integration Council member Shabnam Hasmi, National Dalit Movement for Justice general secretary Dr.Sirivella Prasad and AIDMAM National Convener Vimal Thorat, urged the Orissa state government "to arrest all those responsible for attack on the Christians, launch comprehensive relief and rescue operation to bring the displaced to safer places, involve NGOs and Civil Society in relief and rescue operation, punish the officials who failed in their job to protect the lives of the people and deploy adequate central Para military forces to contain the violence."

Dr. Victor Joseph, Chairman of Government Relations, said, “As is evident from the above, the majority of Hindus do not follow the ideology of the VHP that has become a militant organization.”

Mr. Abraham Mammen, the National Vice President, said, “FIACONA condemns the alleged role of the VHP in the Orissa killings of innocent Christians and demands an immediate ban of the VHP.”

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