UK House debates Christian attacks

Opening the debate at a late-night sitting on Wednesday, Winnick called on the British government to let the authorities in India and Pakistan 8220;know of our deep and continuing concern about what has been happening there.8221;

Expressing alarm at the killings of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two young sons in Orissa, he also quickly added that 8220;India has maintained democracy while facing far greater social problems than we do.8221;

Winnick accepted the interjection of MP forMiddlesborough South Ashok Kumar that India had a good record on religious tolerance but said, 8220;that is why it is all the more sad.8221;

He maintained that the situation was getting worse: 8220;Between 1964 and 1996, 38 cases of violence were reported against Christians in India. Last year alone 136 cases were reported.8221; He put this down to the election of a BJP government.

Winnick said that he accepted 8220;that some extremist missionaries, usually 8212; perhaps not surprisingly 8212; go about their business in a way that can cause disquiet and offence but often the attacks are directed against law-abiding people in India who happen to be Christians and are soft targets.8221;

When Keith Vaz, MP for Leicester East, said that the government had condemned the attacks, Winnick said that the government should also bring the culprits to justice.

Unlike in the past when the debates in the House have caught the Indian High Commission off guard and have sent it scurrying for defensive cover with cries of 8220;anti-Indian8221;, thediscussion on Wednesday expressed concern and respected India8217;s line on the matter.

Junior foreign minister Tony Lloyd said that it would not be fair to stigmatise all of India because of attacks on Christians in some parts. Winnick agreed but said, 8220;We are dealing with extremist groups which have been encouraged by the election of a very right-wing nationalist Hindu-based party that is known for its intolerance. We have to recognise that unfortunate fact.8221;

The broad tone 8212; concern rather than condemnation 8212; reflected the assiduous work done by High Commissioner Lalit Mansingh to ensure that the critics and concerned people in Britain did not lose sight of the big picture.

Lloyd said that it was 8220;not in the spirit of criticism but of genuine fellowship and concern8221; that his government expressed its sorrow at the attacks.

He stressed that it was important to remember 8220;that protests have come first and foremost within India8221; in the press, from the major political parties and the President.

Hesaid, 8220;The Government of India has responded with a clear denunciation of the attacks and an appeal for a return to India8217;s traditional values of tolerance8221; and welcomed the Prime Minister8217;s undertaking to 8220;protect all sections of people, irrespective of their gender, caste and faith.8221;

Lloyd quoted Mahatma Gandhi: 8220;Indian culture is neither Hindu, Islamic or any other, wholly. It is a fusion of all8221;.

He also defended India8217;s record saying that it was 8220;a model of a successful, religiously diverse and democratic state.8221;