A Roman Catholic priest, Fr. Arul Doss, has been brutally murdered by suspected Hindu militants belonging to the Bajrang Dal. His companion, a Christian human rights activist, was also seriously injured in the attack and is reported to be in a critical condition in hospital.

The attack was carried out by a gang armed with bows and arrows and spears. The brutality of the murder has shocked not only the Christian community, but minority communities across the country. Father Doss was attacked and killed in the Keonjhar region of the Orissa district of India on 1 September 1999, not far from where in January of this year, Graham Staines and his two sons were burnt alive by a Hindu extremist, Dara Singh, who is still at large. The attack on Father Doss came shortly after the announcement of Pope John Paul's visit to India scheduled for November.

In a telegram to the Prime Minister, the United Christian Forum for Human Rights said, "We are distressed that such crime continues to occur despite assurances by both Central and State governments that adequate steps are being taken to ensure the safety and security of minority communities, and especially of religious persons."

The President of the All India Christian Council, Dr Joseph D'Souza and the All India Catholic Union called on the people of India "to express their outrage at the continuing conspiracy of hate and terror which poses a threat to the unity and integrity of the nation".

This latest incident comes on the eve of elections for the national parliament, which has seen displays of open hatred towards leaders of the peaceful Christian minority by some leaders of the ruling BJP party and its allies. Last month, arrest warrants were issued against two prominent clergymen of the Church of North India for allegedly urging Christians to vote only for political parties upholding the values of secularism.

The two clergymen were charged under section 125 of the Indian Penal Code for promoting hatred between communities.

The charges levelled against Bishop George Ninan, the former Bishop of Nasik and Dr Messy by the Maharashtra state government have received condemnation from a number of human rights groups including the National Commission for Minorities, a government-sponsored body responsible for investigating cases of persecution against members of minority communities. As a member of the Commission Dr Messy has been involved in investigating some of the 130 or more attacks on Christians alone in India in the last year.

Dr Simon Qadri of CSW added, "CSW wishes to express their sympathy to all those who knew and loved Father Doss. This campaign of hatred and violence perpetrated against the minorities in India, and particularly Christians, must come to an end. In the forthcoming elections it is vital that the people of India chose a government which will uphold values of democracy and fundamental human rights".

For further information and the press statement by the All India Christian Council contact Tina Lambert or Dr Simon Qadri at CSW on +44 208 942 8810.