Indo-American Christians protest violence in Karnataka, Orissa

WASHINGTON: A group of Christians of Indian origin held a prayer vigil here coinciding with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to White House to protest the ongoing violence against the community in Orissa and Karnataka.

The event organised by the Federation of Indian American Christian Organisations of North America (FIACONA) at Lafayette Square, across the street from the White House was attended by a large number of people, organisers said.

"A clear and definite pattern is emerging from these coordinated assaults on the Christian population in these states where the BJP is in power on one or another pretext," they said in a statement. The Federation also blamed the Indian government for failing to stop the violence, which has led to loss of lives and damage to churches.

It demanded a number of things including rehabilitation of the victims and a ban on Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The rally was supported and coordinated by organisations including Jubilee campaign, Christian Solidarity International and all Christian church organisations.