E/CN.4/2000/65 page 13 India 45. Violence against Christians, notably in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Punjab and Maharashtra states, is reportedly continuing in the form of attacks on places of worship, property, churchgoers and clergy. This situation remains unchanged despite the assurances of the country’s highest authorities. 46. India made a request for more detailed information on these incidents that was dealt with in a second communication. The Christian community is reportedly still feeling uneasy, not as a result of isolated incidents, but of the resurgence of Hindu militancy and the Hindu attitude towards minorities. In order to broaden their electoral base and thus their impact on the population, militant Hindu groups are deliberately attacking the Christian minority and its institutions in the education, health and social sectors because of their influence on the Indians, especially those who are the most disadvantaged or living in remote areas of the country. Those Hindu groups are allegedly using illegal methods and accusing the Christians of trying to convert India to their beliefs. It is further alleged that they are conducting a hate campaign against Christians through the media, pamphlets and posters. The campaign is allegedly being financed by Hindu organizations abroad. Apparently, the authorities have not taken any specific measures to remedy the situation. The chief perpetrators of the murder of Pastor Graham Staines and the rape of nuns (see A/54/386, para. 89) reportedly have not been arrested and, shielded by that situation of impunity, there have been continuing attacks on Christians, such as the rape of two girls, the abduction of another and the desecration of a place of worship. The women and girls of the community seem to have become the chief targets of the militant Hindus. Women are reportedly especially affected by discriminatory acts based on religion or religious traditions. The “personal status” laws classify women as inferior. The “status laws” that apply to Muslims apparently entitle men to unilateral divorce if they so desire, but not women. The “status laws” that apply to Christians entitle men to seek divorce on grounds of adultery, whereas women have to show proof of special abuse and claim redress under certain categories of adultery only. Among Hindu women, although sati∗ and the dowry are prohibited under customary law, these traditions are apparently not totally eradicated in some rural areas. 47. A third communication referred to allegations of acts of vandalism in Mumbai in June 1999 by members of Shiv Sena against Sacred Heart School, apparently in order to disrupt Christian activities on behalf of children. A fourth communication alleged that a hate campaign against Christians was still going on, primarily against missionaries and church institutions by means of pamphlets and posters distributed in large quantities in towns. The campaign was allegedly not being stopped by the authorities. A fifth communication drew attention to the murder of a Catholic priest on 2 September 1999 by Hindu militants while he was allegedly ministering to a gathering of Christian converts in the village of Jambani in Orissa’s Mayurbhanj district. It also reported an attack on 8 October 1999 in the state of Gujarat by Hindu militants against Christian leaders from the Filadelfia Fellowship Church of India. The local police reportedly arrested nine Christians and then released them on bail, while maintaining charges of converting Hindus and involvement in anti-national activities. ∗ The former Hindu practice of a widow immolating herself on her husband’s funeral pyre.