Rally in US against attacks on Christians in India

New York, Oct 28 (PTI) Accusing the Indian government of
failing to stop violence against Christians, people from all
faiths staged a rally in Philadelphia and demanded strong
action against those responsible for the attacks.

Addressing the demonstrators, their leaders faulted the
Indian government for not taking strong action to end the
violence against Christians, especially in Orissa.

"Despite numerous pleas for help, the Indian Government
has not sufficiently responded to the situation," said the
pamphlets distributed by the organisers, including
representatives of local Indian churches.

The protesters carrying placards reading "Stop Religious
Persecution in India," "We Want Justice" and "No Justification
for Murder," were led by Rev Biju Thomas of St Thomas
Evangelical Church of Philadelphia and Fr Jacob Christy of St
Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Church of Philadelphia.

The rally began with a prayer and was followed by singing
of both American and Indian national anthems and a prayer was
also conducted by priests and pastors for both the "persecuted
and the persecutors."

The rally ended with the chanting of "We Shall Overcome"
in English, Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi and Gujarati which was
specifically chosen to symbolise their faith and belief that
the situation would normalise and peace will prevail in India,
the organisers said.