Violence on Christians: NHRC seeks report

Chennai: The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report, alleging acts of violence and atrocity against Christians in various parts of the country, including Tamil Nadu.Subsequently, the NHRC has despatched communiqués to the chief secretaries of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, calling for reports.

In a media statement, the commission said there were incidents of stone pelting, disruption of carols and Sunday services, ban on Christians from entering villages and attacks on pastors in Thrissur and Mallapuram districts of Kerala, Chitradurg, Devangere, Karwar and Udupi in Karnataka and Karur and Tirunelveli districts in Tamil Nadu, as reported in the press.

The commission has observed that the contents of the press report, if true, amounted to violation of the fundamental right to freedom of religion. The chief secretaries have been directed to send a report on the action taken to prevent recurrence of such incidents in the future and been given four weeks’ time to respond, the statement said.

Tirunelveli collector M. Karunaharan said he will look into the complaints and the observation made by the NHRC. After enquiries, necessary action will be taken and they will respond to the commission, the collector said.