§ Mr. RoweTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received232W concerning (a) violence directed against the Christian minority in India and (b) the recent abduction and beating of two Christian priests in Gujarat. [145759]
§ Mr. HainWe are aware of continuing incidents of religious intolerance in India, including reports of an attack in Rajasthan on two priests from Gujarat in early January. We have regularly raised our concerns over such incidents with the Indian Government, including during my visit to India in November.
§ Mr. RoweTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to support the Prime Minister of India's recent reaffirmation of his commitment to secularism and religious toleration in India. [145760]
§ Mr. HainIndia is a secular country where the right to freedom of religion is enshrined in the Constitution. We support the Indian Prime Minister's commitment to these principles and we will continue to urge him to ensure that the rights of minorities are upheld.
§ Mr. RoweTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Indian authorities concerning the recent incidents of violence directed against the Christian minority in India, including attacks on churches in Vyara Taluka, Jwalapur and Bokaro, and a serious assault on a Catholic priest in Gwalior. [145758]
§ Mr. HainWe are aware of reports of attacks on Christians in India, including those in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh mentioned. We continue to raise our concerns over such incidents with the Indian authorities. I discussed this issue with my counterpart, Ajit Panja, during my visit to India in November. The Indian Government can be in no doubt of our concern.