[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 112 (Friday, August 3, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1551]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS IN INDIA CONTINUES

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                         HON. JOHN T. DOOLITTLE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2001

  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, there has been a disturbing pattern of 
oppression of Christians and other religious minorities in India. This 
persecution of Christians in India continues. It has been going on 
steadily since Christmas 1998, with occasional flare-ups before that, 
as exemplified by one incident when the state police used unnecessary 
and overwhelming force to stop a Christian religious festival.
  The animosity towards Christians and other religious minorities in 
India is well known. High-ranking officials of India's governing 
coalition have said openly that everyone who lives in India must either 
be Hindu or be subservient to Hinduism. They have called for 
nationalization of the Christian churches in India, severing them from 
the denominations to which they belong.
  Since the current wave of violence exploded on Christmas 1998, more 
than two and a half years ago, Christian churches have been burned, and 
assaults have been carried out on priests and nuns.
  Mr. Speaker, that is the state of religious freedom in India. The 
Indian government has much work in front of it. It is time for India to 
stop trampling the rights of minorities and begin protecting religious 
freedom, civil liberties, human rights, and the other important rights 
that are the mark of a true democratic state.

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