Monday, 17 November 2008, 16:35 (IST)

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, on the even of his visit to one of England's renowned Hindu temple, contrasted the "organised attacks" on Christians in Orissa with the treatment of Hindus in Britain.

He said the violence on Orissa Christians, most of them the poorest of society, "is truly shocking".

"Rather than improve, the situation in Orissa seems to have deteriorated and, indeed, to have spread to several other states, such as Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. I understand that more than 50 Christians have been killed, and many tens of thousands have become refugees," he said in the letter to the Moderators of the Church of North India and the Church of South India.

He noted that India risks losing its place as "an international beacon" if the violence continues.

"In this country we seek to maintain positive and respectful relationships for the good of society with Hindu communities and organisations who are a minority," he said.

The head of the Church of England also voiced his concern over re-conversions stating, "Inappropriate pressure to reconvert is as unacceptable as inappropriate pressure to convert."

The Archbishop on Saturday visited the Shri Venkateshwara (Balaji) temple, what he described as a sign of friendship and hope. He also planted an olive tree on a 'Christian Hill' at the temple premises.

Williams in his letter praised the achievements of India and said t was not only the world's largest democracy but also a model for "rich religious diversity, and respect between most of the major faiths of the world".

"Yet, your Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has condemned what is happening as a 'national shame' and asserted that 'Christianity is part of our national heritage'. I too feel that if a small minority community (less than three percent of the population) continue as the target of attacks - attacks which often seem to be organised - then India will have lost its place as an international beacon," he said.

He urged the central government to render justice and protection to the minorities, particularly those affected by the violence in Orissa.

Indian High Commissioner Shiv Shankar Mukherjee, House of Commons Deputy Speaker Sylvia Heal, industrialists S.P. and G.P. Hinduja were those among other patrons present during William's visit.