Vulnerability of minority communities

If it is true that a nation's greatness is measured by how it treats its most vulnerable members, we are very far from it. From a report published by a group representing the minority communities, the Hindu-Boudhha-Christian Oikya Parishad, the picture we get of the state of the three communities in the country is reprehensible, to say the least. 24 people belonging to the minority communities have been murdered, 25 raped, and more than 1500 families affected, in 2015 alone. 

What is a matter of concern is that it is evident from the said report, which is a collection of the accounts of minority persecution appearing in various newspapers, that they are not victims of the law and order state that prevails in the country. In fact their marginalised position in society has been exploited and they have been deliberately targeted as a consequence of that. These communities have been victimised for their property, and there have been cases of forced conversion too. 

What is even more galling is that the main perpetrators, allegedly, are those that are linked with the powerful and the political quarters. And this is one of the reasons why the police are reluctant to take the complaints or the reports seriously. 

Can we really call ourselves civilised if the minorities are made to suffer while the state fails to take action to ensure their safety and security? 

We suggest that the government take immediate cognizance of the report and initiate urgent action to bring to book the perpetrators and make examples of them to restore the confidence of these communities.