By NNN-PTI,
New Delhi : The issue of recent anti-Christian violence in Orissa and Karnataka states has reached the Commonwealth with some civil society groups voicing their concern over it to the 53-nation grouping which has conveyed the sentiments to India.
“We keep getting communications from various parties on internal developments in member states. The practice is that we pass it on to the member states. This is what we have done in this (case) as well,” Commonwealth Secretary General Kamlesh Sharma told PTI in an interview here.
He said the “communications” had been received by the Commonwealth from various civil society groups and these were “conveyed” to India. He, however, did not identify these groups.
The concerns have been passed on to India as per the report of Commonwealth Commission on ‘Respect and Understanding’ which prescribes ways to promote greater tolerance, respect and understanding about the diversity of people of different race, religion, culture, gender and belief that can reduce tensions and misunderstandings.
Asked about India’s response, Sharma said “if the government wants to convey anything it is up to them”.
Sharma, an Indian diplomat who is here on the first visit since assuming the charge of Secretary General of the organisation in April, met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday but the issue did not figure in the discussions.