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Q+A - Why are Christians under attack in India?

Fri Sep 26, 2008 1:26pm IST
 
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Reuters - The government has deployed hundreds more federal police to Orissa after one person was killed and several injured in the latest clashes between Hindus and Christians triggered by religious conversions.

More than 20 people, mostly Christians, have been killed and churches burned over the past month.

Below are some questions and answers on why religious clashes have broken out.

WHY ARE CHRISTIANS BEING ATTACKED?

Religious conversion has been the trigger. Hindus in several states in eastern, central and western India have opposed Christian missionaries converting lower caste Hindus in the mainly poor tribal areas.

Intolerance has also risen in the last two decades with a revival in Hindu nationalism and its new agenda to fight Christian missionaries.

The latest round of violence first erupted in Orissa after the killing of a Hindu leader -- known for his opposition to missionaries -- who was linked to the main opposition Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Hindus blamed Christians for his death.

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