Anti–Christian violence affecting India's image says PM; Possibility of President's rule

During his recent visit to France, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, told his cabinet colleagues that the incidents of violence against Christians in Orissa and other states, has affected the image of the country.

At a cabinet meeting here, Singh mentioned how he faced embarrassing questions over the incidents during his meetings with the leaders of the US and European Union, sources said.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who is also the head of the European Council voiced his concern over the attack on Christians and said the government must take strong steps to prevent these atrocities in future.

Manmohan Singh defended the country's "secular credentials" and told the EU leaders that he had condemned these incidents as “acts of national shame”.

At a special meeting of the cabinet, the PM asked Home Minister Shivraj Patil to submit a report on the situation and the state government’s response towards it.

"The cabinet took note of the latest situation prevailing in Orissa and Karnataka and the Home Minister was asked by the Prime Minister to apprise the cabinet of the situation in its next meeting," Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi told reporters.

Earlier, the Vatican had condemned the anti–Christian rioting and even sent its officials to track the status and the response of the government. Protest rallies and demonstrations have been held in different parts of the world, demanding protection of the miniscule community.

On October 4, a rally will be held in London, for an end to the current wave of violence.

Ashok Masih Mattu, chairman of UK–based Indian Christian Concern, one of the groups organising Saturday's rally, said that violence against Christians has in­creased since the murder of the Australian missionary Graham Staines in Orissa in 1999.

"It's a very, very sad situation, and I've never seen anything like it before. The Indian government has said it's doing everything in its power to stop it, but the killing is still going on."

Saturday's march will be attended by MPs John McDonald (Hayes and Harlington) and Virendra Shar­ma (Ealing and Southall) and repres­ent­atives of British Hindu groups.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Shivraj Patil has said that Centre is unhappy with Orissa government's lack of action and there might be a possibility of President's rule in the state.

"Orissa government's inaction is a breach of Constitution and there's a growing demand for President's rule in the state," he said, adding that six warnings had earlier been sent to the authorities.

"Merely continuing to ask for additional forces after every few days cannot end the violence. The state government has to implement overall strategy for creating environment of security," he added.