'Anti-Christian' violence in India flayed

British Indian Muslims strongly condemn the "anti-Christian" violence and the "harassment" of the community in the Indian state of Orissa.

British Indian Muslims on Monday strongly condemned the "anti-Christian" violence and the "harassment" of the community in the Indian state of Orissa.

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"Attacking and harassing religious minorities under trumped up pretexts are the sole motto of fascist Hindu organisations and the central and state governments appear to be helpless before them," the Council of Indian Muslims (CIM) chairman Munaf Zeena said in a statement.

He said "to add insult to injury instead of taking any action against the perpetrators, Education Ministry of Orissa has issued show cause notices to Christian schools that were closed in protest against attacks on Christians.

"We are on record to have condemned violence against anyone and we deplore the killing of Swami Laxmananda Swraswati and demand action against his murderers".

The body demanded "immediate action against VHP activists, restore the confidence of Christian community and withdraw notices issued to their schools that were closed".

Zeena also condemned the "anti-Muslim" violence in Azamgarh in UP in which two persons were reported killed and several injured.