International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941
Washington, DC 20006-1846
www.persecution.org
Email: icc@persecution.org

India's BJP Defeated
A Relief for India's Christians

For Immediate Release

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(5/13/04) The Washington-DC based human rights group, International Christian Concern (ICC) www.persecution.org has learned that in a stunning turn of events, India’s ruling political Party, the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) has offered its resignation. The BJP had called elections six months early in a strategic move to capture the election but the gamble has been lost. The BJP’s defeat is a positive move for India’s Christians.

The Hindu nationalist BJP and its military arm, the RSS (equivalent in some ways to a militia with a radical Hindu nationalist, anti-Christian and anti-Muslim orientation) have been responsible for much of the persecution of Christians (and Muslims) in India. The BJP had pushed for anti-conversion laws in several States and was seeking national implementation of the same. The RSS has agitated against Christians in the countryside resulting in hundreds (thousands) of attacks on Christians. ICC is predicting that in the short run this will have a negative effect on Christians as they suffer the backlash of the anger of the RSS (once they are out of power). In the long run however this is a very good move for the Christian community as they should see relief from the threat of anti-conversion laws.

ICC is a Washington-DC based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC delivers humanitarian aid, trains and supports persecuted pastors, raises awareness in the US Church regarding the problem of persecution, and is an advocate for the persecuted on Capitol Hill and the State Department. For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 800-422-5441.