India update 9-19-08

Centre warns Orissa, K'taka over attack on Christians19 Sep 2008, 0220 hrs IST,TNN
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NEW DELHI: Centre on Thursday issued a warning to NDA-controlled governments of Orissa and Karnataka under Article 355 to rein in violence against Christians, in an action which will be praised as appropriate in many quarters but will sharpen the UPA vs NDA faultlines. ( Watch ) While BJP condemned the action as ''partisan'', Congress welcomed it with glee. Article 355 vests emergency powers in the Centre to ensure adherence to the Constitution and it can even be seen as a precursor to the application of Article 356 (President's rule). But in the current context, it also serves the political purpose. Importantly, with the government acting against the Opposition governments over violence against minorities by RSS affiliates, it could clear the way for a tougher response against terrorism. There has been a strong voice in Congress and UPA that fight against terror should go hand in hand with tough action against communal violence. The anti-Christian riots have spread fast from Orissa to Karnataka and even in Kerala, in what is seen as part of a campaign. The argument was also articulated by minority affairs minister A R Antulay at Wednesday's Cabinet meeting where he said the Centre should bring in a tough law on communal riots. For the Centre, buffeted between demands for tough laws against terror and the sensitivities that there should be safeguards to ensure that they are not misused against minorities, it could be part of the Manmohan Singh government unveiling an all-round action plan against violence. Congress welcomed the action, with party spokesman Veerappa Moily saying that it was ''a shame on BJP''. He said, ''Those who are talking of fighting terrorism are not in a position to contain communal terrorism.'' But the BJP reacted strongly. Party general secretary Arun Jaitley said, ''The action is unwarranted. Orissa has taken steps and succeeded in restoring peace. Karnataka government is trying its best by appealing to one section not to bring out inflammatory pamphlets on conversions and taking steps to convince the other sections not to attack prayer halls. The Centre's action makes it obvious that it is not interested in resolving the issue but in politicising it. Why does not the Centre consider similar action in case of Maharashtra government with regard to its inability to deal with Raj Thackeray's repeated provocations.''
Fri, 19/09/2008 - 1:14pm Karnataka government will not punish Christian institutions for solidarity with Kandhamal victims
The National Commission for minorities said action will not be taken against the Christian educational institutions who have been served a notice by Primary and Secondary Education Minister Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, South India
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Fri, 19/09/2008 - 12:31pm Indian christians all over the world to protest attacks against christians in India
Chicago, September 18: Many Indian Christian leaders from various organizations including MKCA members united under the banner of Federation of Indian American Christians of North America (FIACONA) at the resident of Bishop, Rt. Rev. Dr. Jacob Angadiath of Syro Malabr Catholic Mission on September 17 at 5pm.
posted in: Current Issue, , Other Countries
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Fri, 19/09/2008 - 11:33am Breaking News-GOVERNMENT OF INDIA ISSUES ADVISORY TO KARNATAKA
Union Home Ministry issues advisory to Karnataka STATE asking it to take effective steps in the wake of attacks on churches, says Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, South India
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Fri, 19/09/2008 - 11:26am Bajrang Dal planned attacks-DECCAN CHRONICLE
September 17 : The attack on prayer halls of New Life group was not a sudden attack but planned well in advance. The Bajrang Dal had made all the arrangements to study the working of New Life, collect the literature they use for propagating their sect and finally hatched the plan to attack all the places one after the other.
posted in: Current Issue, , East India
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Fri, 19/09/2008 - 11:19am Church attacked in Chikbalapur district
16th September 2008CHICKBALAPUR : On Tuesday evening at 6.00 pm of September 16, the radical Hindus attacked IPC Church in Manjanahalli, Chikbalapur dist which is 90 km from Bangalore. The miscreants barged into the church and damaged furniture’s, window panes, door and roof sheet.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, South India
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Fri, 19/09/2008 - 11:00am Arson and looting reported from PDID in Kandhamal
A mob damaged a church and set some Christian homes ablaze shattering the government's claims that all is under control in Kandhmal. In two identical incidents in PIDI in Raikia block 8-10 houses set on fire and 34 hapless victims moved to the Raika camp. Accoring to sources the government authorities in are threatening shutting down of the camps this week.