[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 90 (Thursday, July 13, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1219]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ATROCITIES AGAINST CHRISTIANS IN INDIA
______
HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS
of new york
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, July 12, 2000
Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, recently a list was published of atrocities
against Christians in India from January to May of this year. It listed
38 specific incidents just in a period of five months. This should
indicate the depth of India's religious terrorism against Christians.
On July 8 and 9, two more churches were bombed. The pattern of Indian
terrorism against its minorities continues.
It is not just the Christians who are being attacked. In March, the
Indian government massacred 35 Sikhs in the village of Chithi
Singhpora. This was confirmed by two separate investigations. Some of
our colleagues may deny it, but the evidence is clear. This, too, is
part of the Indian government's pattern of repression.
This pattern of repression and terrorism must be stopped. The U.S.
Congress must take strong action. We should cut off aid to India until
this terrorism stops. India should be declared a terrorist nation, as
21 of us recently urged the President to do. And Congress should
support self-determination for the people of Khalistan, Kashmir,
Nagaland, and all the minority nations seeking their freedom from
India. Self-determination is the cornerstone of democracy.
Mr. Speaker, I submit the atrocity list I mentioned earlier into the
Record for the information of my colleagues.
ATTACKS ON CHRISTIANS (JANUARY-MAY 2000)
[Sources: the Indian Currents, 21 May, 2000]
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S. No. Date Place/State Description
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1 January........... Philliaur, Punjab Sts. Peter and Paul
Church robbed.
2 January........... Philliaur, Punjab St. Joseph's Convent
robbed.
3 Jan. 3............ Gajapati, Orissa. 17, Dalit Christian
house torched, 12
killed.
4 Jan. 9............ Panipat, Haryana. Fr. Vikas of St.
Mary's Church
attacked.
5 Feb. 4............ Rajgarh, MP...... Hostel forced to
closed down.
6 Feb. 20........... Pudiyattuvil, Statues of Mary
Kerala. destroy.
7 Feb. 20........... Sevit, Gujarat... Protestant Church
damaged.
8 March 6........... Mysore, Karnataka BD threatens Bishop
Roy to install Hindu
statue in Churches.
9 March 8........... Basara, Panipat, Isa Mata Church
Haryana. attacked.
10 March 12.......... Panipat, Haryana. St. Mary's Church
attacked.
11 March 12.......... Suryanagar. UP... Media Computer Centre
robbed.
12 March 17.......... Changanacherry, St. Berchman's College
Kerala. Chapel desecrated,
robbed.
13 March 31.......... Agra UP.......... Police lock up two
priests without
charge.
14 March 31.......... Bulandshaher, UP. Nirmala School
15 March 31.......... Dasna, Masuri, UP Fr. S. George, Christ
Vihar School attacked
robbed.
16 April 3........... Panaji, Goa...... Priest and 21
Catholics wounded by
police.
17 April 5........... Barwatoli, Bihar. 5 Oraon Catholic
tribals kidnapped, 2
killed.
18 April 6........... Mathura, UP...... Sacred Heart School
Principal Sr. Maria
Pereira attacked.
19 April 7........... Belatanr, Giridih Holy Cross Convent
Bihar. watchman shot dead.
20 April 9........... Bettiah, Bihar... Jesuit Social Centre
(READ) stoned.
21 April 10.......... Mathura Cantt, UP Fr. Joseph Dabre, St.
Dominic School
attacked.
22 April 11.......... Kosikalan, Fr. K.K. Thomas and
Haryana. maid beaten up, house
looted.
23 April 11.......... Kosikalan Haryana St. Teresa's School
looted, Srs. Mary and
Gloria beaten.
24 April 14.......... Khagaria Bihar... 50 Christians in
Charismatic prayer
attacked.
25 April 15.......... Timerpur, Bijnor, Convent, three
UP. Catholic homes
attacked.
26 April 16.......... Babupet, Chanda.. Maharashtra Convent
tabernacle robbed.
27 April 21.......... Agra, UP......... Bajrang Dal attack 14
neo Christians.
28 April 22.......... Rajabari, Assam.. Priest and 2 brothers
seriously beaten in
Church robbery.
29 April 22.......... Rewari, Haryana.. Two nuns attacked, hit
by scooter.
30 May 3............. Paricha Jhansi, Chapel desecrated,
UP. nuns attacked,
robbed.
31 May 3............. Dangs, Gujarat... 13 Evangelist arrested
for holding prayer.
32 May 4............. Patna, Bihar..... St. Xavier's School
principal Fr. A.B.
Peter Sj accused of
sodomy.
33 May 5............. Anabha, Gujarat.. 8 Protestant
missionaries attacked
with swords, Bibles
burnt.
34 May 5............. Bhojpur, Bihar... Mary's statue smashed.
35 May............... Uchhal Taluka, Rev. Jhalam Singh
Gujarat. attacked, Church
damaged.
36 May 9............. Nashik, Protestant Shelter
Maharashtra. School for Tribal
girls attacked.
37 May 11............ Indore, MP....... Fire bomb thrown at
Dialogue Centre, 3
churches attacked.
38 May 11............ Anekal, Karnataka Anthony Selva, Jesuit
student stabbed.
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