PRESS REALESE 5 April 2002

STOP VIOLENCE IN GUJARAT — CHANGE LEADERSHIP IF NECESSARY”

The National Council of Churches in India is deeply concerned about the escalating violence, slaughter of human beings and bloodletting in Gujarat. It discerns facets of a fascist agenda resembling ethnic cleansing.

It condemns the killing of minorities yesterday when five people were burnt to death in fresh outbreak of violence on the eve of the Prime Minister’s visit. Continued violence, which in several ways seems organized, will lead to more killings and atrocities targeting minority communities.

The Central Government should take immediate action based on the reports and recommendations of the National Human Rights Commission in order to stop the carnage and should not protect an inefficient leadership in Gujarat

The National Council of Churches in India is also alarmed at the observations made by Amnesty International in its report, which speaks of failed intervention by the police to stop the violence and also that in several places the authorities actively connived with the attackers. The guilty should be punished without reference to their religious or political affiliations.

We demand that peace be restored in Gujarat even if it requires a change of leadership in the state. The present leadership has not demonstrated a political will, efficiency and a neutral position to contain the violence and provide protection to the most vulnerable sections of the communities including women and children even after so many days.

The National Council of Churches in India also demands increased protection for the minorities and a proactive government response to stop the violence. It also expresses its unconditional support and solidarity with the suffering masses in Gujarat, particularly the religious minorities. The churches would gladly participate in and support any peace initiative to restore normalcy in the state.