[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 58 (Thursday, May 11, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E720]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                MORE ANTI-CHRISTIAN ACTIVITIES IN INDIA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN T. DOOLITTLE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 11, 2000

  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, I was distressed to read some recent 
articles showing that the repression of Christians in India continues. 
The RSS, the parent organization of the ruling BJP, has apparently 
published a booklet on how to besmirch Christians.
  According to an article in the May 5 issue of India Abroad, the RSS 
has published a booklet on how to implicate Christians and other 
minorities in false criminal cases. It cites a Hindustan Times report 
that says the booklet, entitled ``Save Hindus--Attacks and Laws,'' 
contains ``guidelines for framing charges, false as well as genuine, 
against minorities.'' The booklet has been in circulation for three 
months, according to the article.
  If India cannot learn religious tolerance, it is not deserving of the 
support of the free countries of the world. It is time to declare India 
a violator of religious liberty and other human rights until the 
situation improves. India should allow Amnesty International into 
Punjab and other troubled states to conduct an independent human-rights 
investigation. This has not happened since 1978. What is ``the world's 
largest democracy'' hiding? India should also hold a free and fair 
plebiscite on the question of independence for Khalistan, Kashmir, 
Nagaland, and the other states seeking their freedom from India.
  I would like to introduce the article from India Abroad that I 
mentioned earlier into the Record for the information of the House and 
the public.

                   [From India Abroad, May 12, 2000]

                          Attack on Christians

       New Delhi--A group of Christians who were distributing 
     copies of the Bible and other evangelical literature in 
     Vivekanandnagar, Ahmedabad, were reportedly attacked by 
     activists of the right-wing Bajrang Dal on May 5.
       The Christians were attacked with lathis (canes) and sharp-
     edged weapons, the reports said, adding that three persons 
     were injured in the incident.
       Samson C. Christian, executive member of the All India 
     Christian Council, alleged that the attack was pre-planned as 
     the Bajrang Dal was aware that members of the Operation 
     Mobilization Association of Christians (OMAC) had been 
     preaching in the area.
       In a related development, reports stated that the Sangh 
     Parivar, comprising Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the 
     ideological parent of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and 
     its affiliate organizations, have brought out a booklet in 
     Gujarat, containing guidelines on how to implicate minorities 
     in court cases, The Hindustan Times reported.
       The 12-page booklet, titled ``Hinduno Bachao--akraman ane 
     kayedo'' (Save Hindus--attacks and laws), contains guidelines 
     for framing charges, false as well as genuine, against 
     minorities under existing laws, the report said, adding that 
     the booklet has been in circulation for the past three 
     months.