New York: The state of religious freedom in India “significantly worsened” last year, a United States panel has said, calling for targeted sanctions against the country over alleged abuses.
In its annual report, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) urged the State Department for the third straight year to place India on the US list of “countries of particular concern”.
The report found out “attacks on members of religious minority communities, including killings, assaults and intimidation occurred throughout the year”.
According to the last census held in 2011, the number of minorities in the country is about 19.3% of the total population. Of late, there has been an increase in attacks against minorities in India, especially Christians, Muslims and other minorities living in India. In 2021, over 300 incidents of violence targeting the Christian community were reported.
Recently, four men belonging to extremist group allegedly broke into a church and desecrated statues of Jesus Christ and Mary in Punjab’s Tarn Taran district. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann termed the incident as “unpardonable” and directed the State Police Chief to get it probed. The intruders took the watchman hostage at gunpoint and tied his hands.
They then vandalised two idols in the church, located in Takkarpura village near Patti town in the border district and while leaving, set the pastor’s car on fire. Members of the Christian community held a protest, blocking several roads and demanding immediate arrest of the accused. Police has registered a case under sections 295A and 452 of the Indian Penal Code. CM Mann said, “It is a handiwork of the forces inimical to the peace, prosperity and progress of the state.” He further added, the incident was aimed at vitiating the peaceful atmosphere in the state and derailing “communal harmony and brotherhood”.
Punjab Congress Chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said, such incidents are deliberate attempts by some mischievous elements to divide people and appreciated “the concerns of the Akal Takht Jathedar about certain vested interests trying to exploit the situation”. Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal condemned the vandalism and demanded an exemplary punishment for the perpetrators of the heinous crime.
He added, “In line with the teachings of Guru Sahiban, I appeal to everyone to show restraint & respect all religions.” The incident comes a day after Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) Chief Harjinder Singh Dhami condemned alleged efforts by “some so-called Christian missionaries” to convert people. RSS backed by BJP government wants to take advantage of the situation by fueling rift between Sikhs and Christians living in the area. Web Desk
