Religious Violence in India

The BBC reports more troubling news from India’s ongoing religious violence between Hindus and Christians:

Four people have been arrested in the eastern Indian state of Orissa in connection with the rape of a Catholic nun more than a month ago, police say.

At least one police officer has been suspended, officials say.

The 29-year-old nun lodged a complaint on 25 August alleging rape by a member of a Hindu mob in Kandhamal district.

Police are criticised for being slow to act - they say they have been trying to keep the peace in the area, which has seen weeks of Hindu-Christian violence . . . .

Although left-wing Maoist rebels in the state claimed responsibility for the killing, hard-line Hindu groups blamed the minority Christian community for the death.

More than 30 people have been killed in the violence and dozens of churches and Christian institutions have been vandalised . . . .

Clashes between Hindus and Christians began in Orissa in August when a Hindu religious leader was shot dead.

Attacks on Christians have also been reported in the southern states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and in the central state of Madhya Pradesh.

Hindu groups have long accused Christian priests of bribing poor tribes and low-caste Hindus to convert to Christianity.

Christians say lower-caste Hindus convert willingly to escape the Hindu caste system.

This whole conflict seems to be rooted in misconception, prejudice, and hatred, and it’s hard to say how these long-standing issues might be rectified. Prayers, of course, are always welcome.