Specter seeks protection of India’s Christians

Specter seeks protection of India’s Christians

NEW DELHI, India — Visiting U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (R-Penn.) expressed concern over attacks on Christians in India and said New Delhi is not doing enough to contain the attacks, the Internet news site CNSNews.com reported on the senator’s comments after meeting with Indian officials Jan. 4.

Indian officials are concerned that further attacks on the country’s Christian minority could affect the recently improving relations with the United States.

The group Human Rights Watch says the past two years have witnessed more incidents of violence against the Christian community in India than in all the years since independence in 1947.

Attacks were reportedly carried out by groups linked to militant Hindu organizations.

In 2000, India witnessed about 100 reported attacks on Christians and their institutions, according to figures published by the Indian government.