New York: 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”.