Apart from that, there is deafening silence on Delhi's part. It is also strange that Hindu movements, such as Hare Krishna or Sai Baba, are putting pressure on Balinese Hindus to change their ways -- impose vegetarianism, for instance.

Balinese Hindus, like Tibetan Buddhists, eat meat. Is that a crime? Does it make you a lesser Hindu?

We need to support the Balinese, one more persecuted Hindu minority in the world, along with their brothers and sisters of Bangladesh, Fiji, Pakistan, or Afghanistan.

Hence FACT (Foundation Against Continuing Terrorism) plans to do an exhibition on Balinese Hinduism, its greatness and the threats it is facing. This exhibition will be shown in India and then around the world, provided we can generate some interest from expatriate Balinese, who are immune to pressures from the Indonesian government and could help us.

This may draw the attention of the Indian government, and later Western governments, to the Human Rights abuses Hindu Balinese are suffering from at the moment.

Image: A statue of a Hindu god at a Balinese temple. Balinese culture has been strongly influenced by Indian culture from about first centry AD. Even its name is derived from Walidwipa probably given by the Hindu king Sri Kesari Warmadewa. Image: Francois Gautier