Hindu Suicide Bombers Called For By Influential Indian Nationalist Party

An influential Hindu nationalist party based in Mumbai has called for Hindu suicide squads to counter Muslim terrorist attacks, sparking protests from activists and condemnation even from its rightwing political allies.

The comments were contained in an editorial by Saamana, the official newspaper of the Shiv Sena party, a militant Hindu grouping whose political base is among the native people of India's western Maharashtra state, which includes Mumbai.

"It's an open exhortation to communal violence and it's extremely dangerous," said Teesta Setalvad, an activist against communal violence. The comments follow tension in some of India's main cities between long-time residents and an increasing number of immigrants from more impoverished parts of the country or neighbouring countries.

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