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A fact-finding team of four U.S. congressmen has raised hopes among Indian Christian leaders fighting persecution.

After a weeklong tour in January requested by Indian Christians, Joseph Pitts (R-Pa.) expressed shock at the persecution. We are touched by the suffering of the Christian and Muslim minorities at the hands of Hindu extremists here, Pitts said.

The team will take up with both U.S. and Indian authorities the countrys controversial anti-conversion laws, the status of oppressed Dalits, and violence against minorities. The All-India Christian Council (AICC), with help from Jubilee Campaign, organized the delegations visit.

We learned about the Dalits, 250 million people who are suffering in almost indescribable, inhumane ways, Pitts said. This is a great human rights tragedy.

According to police records, the number of reported attacks on Christians in India rose from seven in 1996 to 380 in 2003. Unofficial estimates put last years number at 600.

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More information is available from the All-India Christian Council.

More on Christians in India includes:

Blockbuster Evangelism | Millions have been converted after seeing films about Jesus, and Hindu radicals are responding with violence. (Nov. 26, 2003)

Hindu Leaders Crack Down on Conversions | Potential converts must ask permission (Oct. 13, 2003)

Weblog: Bogus Claims of Abuse Leveled Against Martyred Missionary (June 13, 2003)

Power in Punjab | Christians see churches—and opposition—grow among Sikhs. (June 18, 2003)

Fending off Hindutva | Indian Christians blast Nazi-like survey, "draconian" conversion law. (May 16, 2003)

Gujarat Religious Survey Troubles Indian Christians | Government of Indian state says it has been gathering statistics on the minority at the behest of federal officials. (March 14, 2003)

Machete Attack on American Alarms Local Christians | Hindu militants threaten to expel evangelists, stop conversions. (Feb. 18, 2003)

Indian Christians 'Living in Terror,' Rights Groups Report | Accusations against priest lead to intense conversion pressure in Rajasthan. (Nov. 6, 2002)

Indian State Bans Conversion | Christians say Tamil Nadu ordinance threatens relief work. (October 11, 2002)

Hounded, Beaten, Shot | What you can do to help persecuted Christians in India. (June 11, 2002)

Critics Assail Dialogue with Hindu Radicals | But some Christians see talks as an opportunity to build bridges in times of persecution. Critics Assail Dialogue with Hindu Radicals. (May 14, 2002)

New Curriculum 'Tampering' with History, Indian Churches Protest | Christian leaders allege that a current education proposal promotes Hindu nationalism. (Dec. 12, 2001)

Law Could Curb Foreign Donations To Churches, Indian Christians | Worry Stringent legislation is aimed at cutting off terrorist funding, but could hurt non-government organizations. (Nov. 9, 2001)

Christians Encouraged as 50,000 Dalits Leave Hinduism | Low-caste Hindus see conversion as their only escape from oppression. (October 11, 2001)

India's First Dalit Archbishop Holds 'No Grudge' Over Predecessor's Attack | Once "untouchable" Dalits make up bulk of country's Christians. (May, 11, 2001)

Plans to Resolve India's Interfaith Tensions Face Delays and Accusations | Did India's National Commission for Minorities plan a meeting to discredit Christians? (July 20, 2000)

Foes Claim BJP is Using Arms Training to Win Crucial Election in India | Fears mount that reason for camps is to galvanize support for temple construction. (June 29, 2001)

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March 2004, Vol. 48, No. 3