Anti-Christian violence escalates in India: At least 3 Dead

New Delhi, Dec. 27, 2007 (CWN) - Violence against Christians continues in India's eastern Orissa state, despite the curfew imposed by local authorities in an effort to curb the activities of Hindu mobs.

The violence that began on Christmas Eve continued through December 27, with arson attacks that destroyed the homes of 300 Christian families and caused at least 3 deaths. During the night of December 26-27, a group of Hindu zealots, defying a curfew order, attacked a home of the Missionaries of Charity in Kandhamal, the AsiaNews service reports.

The anti-Christian campaign was triggered by the Hindu-nationalist group known as Visva Hindu Parisad, or VHP. Denouncing the Christian missionaries who draw converts from Hinduism, and pledging to lead these converts back to their original faith, VHP called a "strike" against Christians beginning on December 24. The campaign quickly erupted in violence as young Hindu militants tore down Christmas decorations on display at homes and stores, and escalated as the mobs attacked churches and schools.

In New Delhi, a group of India's leaders planned a rally on December 27 to protest the violence in Orissa. Former Prime Minister V.P. Singh was expected to join in the rally along with New Delhi's Archbishop Vincent Concessao.