INDIA: Churches condemn latest series of bomb blasts

By Anto Akkara July 28, 2008 [Ecumenical News International, Bangalore, India] Christian groups in India have deplored a series of more than 20 bomb blasts that killed at least 50 people in western Gujarat and southern Karnataka states, and are said to have been carried out in the name of religion.

Forty-nine people died and more than 150 were injured when a series of 16 bomb blasts rocked Ahmedabad, the commercial capital of Gujarat, on July 26.

The explosions followed eight smaller bombings the previous day that left one person dead and 12 injured in Bangalore, capital of the southern state of Karnataka.

A Church of North India (CNI) synod statement "condemned" the "dastardly act of terror and violence" in Gujarat, where the CNI has one of its dioceses.

The Rev. Enos Das Pradhan, CNI general secretary, called for "united action from the ruling and opposition parties in dealing with the terrorism." The CNI leader added, "The political parties should stop the blame game and come together, keeping aside their differences, to find a solution to the terror menace let loose by some outfits in the name of religion in the country."

The Roman Catholic Bishops' Conference of India reacted in a similar fashion. "We unequivocally condemn this dastardly act of terror and violence that has taken several precious human lives."

Minutes before the blasts that rocked crowded markets and then hospitals to which the injured were taken, an Islamic group called Indian Mujahuddin sent email messages to media organizations in which they said the attacks were Islamic revenge for anti-Muslim riots of 2002.

Hindu militants allegedly massacred more than 1,000 Muslims in Gujarat in February 2002 after the torching of a train carrying Hindu pilgrims.

The state administration controlled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is widely seen as supporting a Hindu nationalist agenda, was accused of abetting and condoning the carnage against Muslims, and later of protecting Hindus accused of having taken part in the riots.

Samson Christian, an outspoken Christian activist based in Ahmedabad, told Ecumenical News International on July 28 that the blasts in Gujarat were "diabolical" as some bombs had been placed in hospitals with timers set to explode as the injured were being rushed in. Christian is coordinator of the Gujarat chapter of the All India Christian Council.