Mumbai (AsiaNews) - "The people of Karnataka has shown clearly that the fundamental principles of the Indian Constitution - justice, freedom, equality and fraternity - can never be sacrificed on the altar of fascist ideology based on hatred and divisions", says Sajan K George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), in comments to AsiaNews on the defeat of the Bharatiya Janata Paty (BJP, the Hindu nationalist party) on the recent state election. After nine years, the BJP has lost control of Karnataka, which will now be led by a Congress government, the ruling party in India, which emerged victorious from this vote.
"The desperate cries of the weak - says the Christian leader - defeated the fascist forces and ultra-nationalist of Karnataka, expressing a decisive verdict against the forces of moral and social corruption, which are part of the political class that has dominated the state."
Sajan George recalls that "in the past years the religious minorities of Karnataka have been targeted in a systematic way. In 2012 GCIC recorded 41 anti-Christian attacks. In 2013 we are already seven. However, this data refers only to churches destroyed and faithful attacked or imprisoned. If we were to keep track of every episode of intimidation, persecution, insults or temporary detention, the number would be much higher. "
"The hidden agenda of the BJP - states the president of the GCIC - was to give political support to the militant Hindutva (ideology that exclusively considers Hindu ethnic, cultural and political identity - ed), and is the main reason behind the attacks against Christians and other minorities in the state. "
With the defeat of the BJP, he adds, "the population of Karnataka has also launched a great message to all parties, in view of the general elections of 2014: we must stop the political use of religion, protect minorities and work for the common good ".