An international Christian rights group slammed the Indian government’s denial that persecution of Christians continues to happen in the country.
“For a government run mainly by radical Hindu fanatics, such denials bear little weight,” read a statement by the International Christian Concern (ICC).
The federal government of India last week maintained that allegations of Christian persecution in the country are false and are based on wrong news reports.
India’s solicitor general, Tushar Mehta, told the Supreme Court on August 16 that most of the incidents of attacks on Christians cited by petitioners were “wrongfully projected.”
Mehta said the reports were based on “half-baked and self-serving facts and self-serving articles and reports…based upon mere conjecture.”
Matias Perttula, director of advocacy at ICC, called on the international community to address what she described as “the rise of fascist elements in India.”
“The Indian government can deny the rise of persecution against Christians and other religious minorities all day long, but the facts remain the facts – persecution is on the rise and only becoming more violent,” said Perttula.
The ICC said “week after week, organizations around the globe report on the dozens of attacks against Christians throughout India.”
“The Indian government seems more interested in maintaining a public image that tells of a harmonious, multi-faith society,” said the group.
“But as much of the international community is beginning to realize, India’s tactics are just a façade,” it added.
The Indian Supreme Court started hearing last week a petition filed by Archbishop Machado, the National Solidarity Forum, and the Evangelical Fellowship of India who claimed of increasing attacks on Christians in the country.
