The Hindu nationalist BJP, which leads the Indian coalition government, has criticised recent attacks on Christians in the country.

A party spokesman K.L.Sharma said the BJP would not tolerate violations of the law.

However, he said there was no move to ban the Vishwa Hindu Parishad- VHP - a Hindu organisation which denies any involvement in the incidents but which correspondents say is widely believed to be behind the attacks.

The BJPspokesman said the issue would be discussed on Sunday at the party's national executive committee which is meeting in the south Indian city of Bangalore.