Delhi, March 17, 2010 (UCAN): An ecumenical group wants the Indian government to review a proposed law that aims to contain sectarian violence in the country.

In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh the All India Christian Council says the Communal Violence (Prevention, Control and Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill, 2009 does not adequately address several issues that disturb sectarian peace in the country.

The March 16 letter commended the premier for further strengthening the “strong body of laws” that try to protect secularism and ensure equality for all in the country.

Expressing Christians’ “deep concerns” about the bill, the council urged the premier to rewrite the legislation to tackle hate campaigns and “communalization process.”

The letter, signed by AICC president Joseph D’Souza and general sectary by John Dayal, was also sent to several ministers and Sonia Gandhi, who heads the coalition that rules the federal government.

It says recent waves of sectarian violence in states such as Orissa and Karnataka and ongoing “terrible hate campaigns” have worried Christians.

The “well-studied phenomenon” of “hate speech” appears in media before sectarian violence erupts. Such “illegal but not often prosecuted activities” are the root cause of communal disharmony, the letter adds.

The bill does not address the pattern of living of various communities in India. Since Christians do not live in concentrated or contiguous areas as some other communities do, public usually dismiss anti-Christian violence as sporadic, the letter says.

Another problem with the bill, according to the council, is that it has no guidelines for states to compensate sectarian violence damage. “We need a uniform national policy as well standards on the assessment of damages after riots in order to prevent ghettoization,” the letter asserts.

The Christian group is also worried about a “good faith” clause in the bill that exempts police and administration from prosecution for their actions during riots.

The council also shares Muslim worries that the bill treats sectarian violence as spontaneous clashes between two groups and ignores the possibility that it could be premeditated or state sponsored.

It called for witness protection programs and guidelines to improve the country’s legal system. It wants action against police officials who refuse to register first information reports on riots, besides strengthening the federal National Commission for Minorities and its state units.

The council also wants the government to debar its own officials found involved in sectarian violence.

“Our suggestions are rooted in the reality of rural India where the vast majority of our members - thousands of Protestant, Catholic, and independent Christian organisations - live and work to improve our beloved society,” the letter concludes.