[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 165 (Friday, November 19, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2487]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CHRISTIAN FAMILY HACKED TO DEATH--RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION CONTINUES IN 
           INDIA--AMERICA MUST SUPPORT FREEDOM FOR KHALISTAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DAN BURTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 18, 1999

  Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, the Indian Express reported on 
November 12, 1999 that a Christian family was hacked to death in 
Jamshedpur. The attackers stormed the house of 35 year-old Santan 
Kerai, dragging Mr. Kerai, his wife, their two year-old child, and a 
relative out of the house to murder them. Finally, the mutilated bodies 
of the Kerai family ``were found on a football field about 100 yards 
from their house,'' according to the article. The newspaper does not 
identify the assailants, but the attack is part of the ongoing pattern 
of repression of Christians in India today.
  I have been deeply concerned about recent reports of Hindu activists 
raping and terrorizing nuns. A nun named Sister Ruby was abducted by 
Hindu fundamentalists, who stripped her naked and forced her to drink 
their bodily fluids. They threatened to rape her if she refused.
  Earlier this year, Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two 
young sons were burned alive by members of the Bajrang Dal, which is 
the youth arm of the openly Fascist organization called Rashteria 
Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS). The ruling BJP, which leads India's 24-party 
governing coalition, is the political arm of the RSS.
  Since Christmas Day of 1998, Hindu fundamentalists have burned down 
Christian churches, prayer halls, and schools. Four priests have been 
murdered, some of them beheaded.
  Christians have not been the only target of persecution in India. 
Sikhs and Muslims are routinely beaten, tortured, and murdered by these 
radical groups or even Indian security forces.
  Mr. Speaker, India is neither secular, nor is it democratic. It is 
clear that there is no place for religious, linguistic, or ethnic 
minorities in India. So, it is no wonder that there are seventeen 
freedom movements in India.
  I call on the President to press the Government of India on the 
issues of human rights and self-determination when he visits the 
subcontinent next year. If the United States will not speak out for 
freedom in the world, who will? If we don't press these issues today, 
when will we? We must do whatever we can to bring freedom to all the 
people of India.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to place the Indian Express article into 
the Record

                [From the Indian Express, Nov. 12, 1999]

                    Christian Family Hacked to Death

       Jamshedpur--Four members of a tribal Christian family have 
     been hacked to death by some unidentified people at Peteripa 
     village of west Singhbhum district.
       Police said some people had stormed the house of one Santan 
     Kerai (35) at midnight on Wednesday.
       The assailant pulled him, his wife and their two-year old 
     child besides one female relative out of the house and killed 
     them with sharp weapons.
       The mutilated bodies of Santan, his wife and the child were 
     found on a football ground, about 100 meter away from their 
     house. PTI report.

     

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