hanmya
08-13-2009, 03:53 PM
PTI report
Putting India on "watch list" of religious freedom (http://www.ptinews.com/news/228370_Putting-India-on--watch-list--of-religious-freedom)
STAFF WRITER 19:23 HRS IST
regrettable: MEA
New Delhi, Aug 13 (PTI) India today described as "regrettable" the action of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) in putting the country on its "watch-list" along with Cuba and Afghanistan due to alleged rising communal violence.
"India, a country of 1.1 billion people, is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society......Abberrations, if any, are dealt with promptly within our legal framework under the watchful eye of an independent judiciary and a vigilant media," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash said.
It is ""regrettable", he said while responding to a question about USCIRF's action.
USCIRF said India earned the "watch list" designation due to the "disturbing increase" in communal violence against religious minorities--specifically Christians in Orissa in 2008 and Muslims in Gujarat in 2002 and the "largely inadequate" response from the Indian government to protect the rights of religious minorities.
other sources:
India hit over religious violence (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8198770.stm)
US wants freedom of religion to be part of Indo-US dialogue (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/us-wants-freedomreligion-to-be-partindo-us-dialogue/70689/on)
Interesting development. Wonder where was this commission in 2002 after the Hindu-Muslim riots? After a few incidents wherein the Christian community was targeted in 2008, the US commission wakes up! Interesting, eh!
People are gonna have a field day reading this.
Putting India on "watch list" of religious freedom (http://www.ptinews.com/news/228370_Putting-India-on--watch-list--of-religious-freedom)
STAFF WRITER 19:23 HRS IST
regrettable: MEA
New Delhi, Aug 13 (PTI) India today described as "regrettable" the action of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) in putting the country on its "watch-list" along with Cuba and Afghanistan due to alleged rising communal violence.
"India, a country of 1.1 billion people, is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society......Abberrations, if any, are dealt with promptly within our legal framework under the watchful eye of an independent judiciary and a vigilant media," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash said.
It is ""regrettable", he said while responding to a question about USCIRF's action.
USCIRF said India earned the "watch list" designation due to the "disturbing increase" in communal violence against religious minorities--specifically Christians in Orissa in 2008 and Muslims in Gujarat in 2002 and the "largely inadequate" response from the Indian government to protect the rights of religious minorities.
other sources:
India hit over religious violence (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8198770.stm)
US wants freedom of religion to be part of Indo-US dialogue (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/us-wants-freedomreligion-to-be-partindo-us-dialogue/70689/on)
Interesting development. Wonder where was this commission in 2002 after the Hindu-Muslim riots? After a few incidents wherein the Christian community was targeted in 2008, the US commission wakes up! Interesting, eh!
People are gonna have a field day reading this.