The Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has denounced attacks on the country's minority Christian community, who say they're the victims of a campaign of violence by Hindu extremist groups.

Mr Vajpayee said neither his Hindu nationalist-led government nor his own BJP party were involved and those responsible would be punished.

He said equal respect for all faiths was the cornerstone of India's culture and nationhood.

On Friday, tens of thousands of Indian Christians took part in protest rallies and the issue's due to be raised in Parliament on Monday.