NHRC notices to Governments of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu over reports of atrocities on Christians (29.12.2014)
PRESS RELEASE
New Delhi, 29th December, 2014
The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report alleging acts of violence and atrocity against Christians at various parts of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
In Madhya Pradesh, reportedly, churches had been vandalized. Incidents of arson, stone pelting, attack on Pastors and forcible conversions etc. were also reported to have happened at Devas, Satna, Katni, Indore, Bhopal, Alipur and Mandla districts.
In Chhattisgarh also, reportedly, churches were vandalized amidst incidents of arson, stone pelting, attack on Pastors (arrest/harassment by police), diktat on Missionary schools, disruption of Carols and Sunday services, ban on Christians to enter villages, forcible conversion, refusal to supply ration under PDS etc in Jagdalpur, Bhilai, Durg, Jaspur, Bastar and Mahasamund districts.
In Thrissur and Mallapuram districts of Kerala, Chitradurg, Devangere, Karwar and Udupi in Karnataka and Karoor and Thirunelveli districts in Tamil Nadu also, similar incidents were reported to have happened.
The Commission has observed that the contents of the press report, if true, amount to violation of fundamental right to freedom of religion. Accordingly, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretaries, Governments of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu calling for reports. They have also been directed to send a report on the action taken to prevent reoccurrence of such incidents in future. They have been given four weeks time to respond.
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New Delhi, 29th December, 2014
The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report alleging acts of violence and atrocity against Christians at various parts of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
In Madhya Pradesh, reportedly, churches had been vandalized. Incidents of arson, stone pelting, attack on Pastors and forcible conversions etc. were also reported to have happened at Devas, Satna, Katni, Indore, Bhopal, Alipur and Mandla districts.
In Chhattisgarh also, reportedly, churches were vandalized amidst incidents of arson, stone pelting, attack on Pastors (arrest/harassment by police), diktat on Missionary schools, disruption of Carols and Sunday services, ban on Christians to enter villages, forcible conversion, refusal to supply ration under PDS etc in Jagdalpur, Bhilai, Durg, Jaspur, Bastar and Mahasamund districts.
In Thrissur and Mallapuram districts of Kerala, Chitradurg, Devangere, Karwar and Udupi in Karnataka and Karoor and Thirunelveli districts in Tamil Nadu also, similar incidents were reported to have happened.
The Commission has observed that the contents of the press report, if true, amount to violation of fundamental right to freedom of religion. Accordingly, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretaries, Governments of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu calling for reports. They have also been directed to send a report on the action taken to prevent reoccurrence of such incidents in future. They have been given four weeks time to respond.
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