According to a US government body, there has been an increase in violence against Indian minorities with the rise in political influence of groups associated with the Sangh Parivar.
In its annual report, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom said, "Despite India's democratic traditions, religious minorities in India have periodically been subject to severe violence, including mass killings."
With the rise in power of the Sangh Parivar's political wing, the Bharatiya Janata Party, 'the climate of immunity for the perpetrators of attacks on minorities appears to have strengthened', said the commission, which was created by Congress to make recommendations to it and the government.
The commission called upon the secretary of state to designate as 'countries of particular concern' India, Pakistan, Laos, Saudi Arabia, Turkmenistan and Vietnam.
The report said, "Since 1998, there have been hundreds of attacks on Christian leaders, worshippers, and churches throughout India..."
Referring to the Gujarat riots, the report said, "Although the BJP-led central government may not be directly responsible for instigating the violence, it is clear that the government is not doing all it can to pursue the perpetrators of the attacks."