Speaking to reporters Congress spokespersons Girija Vyas and Ajit Jogi said they were shocked to read the statement of VHP central secretary B L Sharma justifying the atrocities in Jhabua district and describing it as an expression of anger against anti-national forces.

They said the Hindu religion taught respect to other religions, religious tolerance and brotherhood, but the acts of the RSS-outfits were totally against these teachings.

They wanted the Central and State Governments to take action against these elements. They said it was a matter of shame to call the workers of a particular community as anti-national when they were engaged in selfless service to the less privileged people in the areas of education and medical care.

They said the RSSelements were engaged in organised attacks on institutions of a particular community in several states, besides Madhya Pradesh. They apreciated the quick action taken by the chief minister and the state government in Madhya Pradesh in an effort to nab the culprits.

Earlier, an alarmed CPI(M) too condemned the reported statement of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) ``virtually justifying'' the spate of attacks on the Christian community and church institutions.

The politburo of the party termed as `shocking' the VHP statement that ``the assault on the missionaries in Jhabua and the violence and loot against them in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, was the direct result of conversion of Hindus to Christianity by the Christian priests''.

``It is shocking that the rape of nuns in Jhabua is being justified in this manner. Such rabid and inflammatory statements should be dealt with firmly'', the party said in a statement and demanded firm action against the VHP-Bajrang Dal for allegedly instigating attacks against theChristian community.