Hindu Extremists Offer Rewards to Kill Christians in India

Extremist Hindu groups have reportedly offered rewards or bounties on killing Christians in India. There has been a sharp increase in attacks on Christians in India. This controversy has sprung up in England after the government refused to bar entry to members of such groups as Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), despite their allegedly offering such bounties as $250 for killing a pastor and other such rewards.

A spokesman for the All-India Christian Council said: “People are being offered rewards to kill, and to destroy churches and Christian properties. They are being offered foreign liquor, chicken, mutton and weapons. They are given petrol and kerosene.”

At least 67 Christians have been killed in recent months, according to the Roman Catholic Church, with thousands of burned homes and churches.

Christians have fled to refugee camps. In Kandhamal, one such camp holds over 11,000.

The latest violence was triggered in August by the murder of Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati, a leader in the hardline Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). While Maoist claimed responsibility, the Hindu extremists blamed Christians. Lakshmanananda was viewed as an anti-Christian extremist.

English officials, however, insist that it would not bar members of the groups since India had not classified them as terrorist organizations.

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