[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 43 (Thursday, March 18, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E491]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               INDIA'S COMMITMENT TO RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA

                           of american samoa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 18, 1999

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, there have been a number of news 
stories recently about attacks on Christians in India. These attacks 
are deplorable and should be condemned. But even as we condemn them, we 
ought not to lose sight of the fact that the government of India has 
acted swiftly--in word and in deed--to also condemn the attacks and to 
take strong action against those who appear to be the perpetrators.
  To date, there have been more than 200 people arrested in the two 
states, Gujarat and Orissa, where the violence has occurred. Both the 
two state governments and the central government have deployed extra 
manpower, particularly police and investigation support teams, into the 
regions. In Gujarat, where the attacks have ruined property, the state 
government has already authorized relief and compensation payments for 
damaged property.
  Not only has the government of India acted against the alleged 
perpetrators, it has condemned them, publicly and repeatedly, in no 
uncertain terms. Prime Minister Vajpayee and President Narayanan, 
India's head of government and head of state respectively, have spoken 
out against these crimes and those who would commit them. The Prime 
Minister even embarked on a one-day fast seeking a renewal of communal 
harmony, and did so on the January 30 anniversary date of the death of 
Mahatma Gandhi, India's revered leader, thereby trying his government's 
policies to Gandhi's ideals of non-violence and cultural diversity.
  It is right for the Prime Minister to link his fast and the ideals of 
Gandhi. India is a diverse nation. Although it is predominantly a Hindu 
nation, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains freely practice 
their religions and have for centuries. It is important to note that 
these attacks, as heinous as they are, have only occurred in two 
states, which is home to only a small portion of India's Christian 
community. The vast majority of Christians live in parts of India that 
have not seen any signs of violence.
  Mr. Speaker, let me close by noting that these attacks, terrible as 
they are, remind us that India itself remains a secular democracy, 
committed to the principles of individual tolerance and religious 
diversity. Its government has publicly demonstrated that commitment in 
recent weeks. It is to be commended for it.

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