Kandhamal killings split Orissa Maoists on religious lines

December 30th, 2008 - 11:51 am ICT by IANS - Send to a friend: Berhampur (Orissa), Dec 30 (IANS) The killing of a Hindu leader and his associates that triggered attacks on Christians in Orissa have split the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) on religious lines for the first time, with many Hindu members breaking away to form a rival group.The unexpected development, which have taken many by surprise, came to light when the breakaway faction put up posters threatening to target Christian members of the CPI-Maoist in the state. The new group calls itself “IDGA-Maoist”, which some posters say is the acronym for “Idealize of Democrat Garila (Guerrilla) Army (Maoist)”. According to informed sources, the new group’s formal inauguration will take place Jan 3 at an undisclosed location under the leadership of a guerrilla identified only as M2. The origin of the split is the Aug 23 gunning down of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swamy Laxmanananda Saraswati and four associates at Jallespata in tribal-dominated Kandhamal district. It sparked off an orgy of violence against Christians, whom the VHP blamed for Saraswati’s killing. About 40 people, mostly poor Christians in rural areas, were killed. While the police blamed the Maoists for the killings, the VHP insisted that Christians were responsible. The CPI-Maoist claimed responsibility for the murder, saying Saraswati was creating a sectarian divide in the impoverished region. The breakaway IDGA’s posters have denounced the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), the military wing of the CPI-Maoist, and its leader Sabyasachi Panda for the VHP leader’s death. A Maoist sympathiser close to the new faction told IANS that the main reason behind the break-up was the Kandhamal violence, for which he blamed Panda. “Maoists don’t have any religion. Their religion is to safeguard the vulnerable people and fight exploitation and oppression. But those under Panda are acting like a mafia,” he said, requesting anonymity. People familiar with the Maoist movement in the state believe that the split will result in escalation of violence. Sixteen of Orissa’s 30 districts are considered Maoist- dominated. Six southwestern districts - Malkangiri, Koraput, Raygada, Kandhamal, Nayagarh and Gajapati - are the worst hit. The existing Maoist group active in southern Orissa is known as the Bansadhara Divisional Committee. This is expected to face the wrath of the splitters. Nihar Nayak, an expert on Maoists at the Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses in New Delhi, told IANS that if a split has indeed taken place on religious lines, it would mark a first in India’s Left history. “Since the Maoist movement began in India, they have never supported a specific religion or caste or community,” he said. Nayak added that the objective of the splinter group would be “to protect Hindus from Maoist attacks and retaliate by killing Christian leaders” in the state. In its posters, the new group has threatened to kill one Christian on the 23rd of every month — to avenge Saraswati’s murder Aug 23. The new group’s area of influence includes three regions: southcentral Orissa, Ghumsar division in southern Orissa and Bansadhara division which shares a border with Andhra Pradesh. Some police officials here fear the law and order situation in the region might worsen if the new group starts revenge killing, inviting retaliation. “It is certain that violence will escalate and this split is going to be a major headache for the already burdened police force,” a senior officer told IANS requesting anonymity. Deputy Inspector General of Police P. Koche told IANS: “I don’t have any information regarding this new Maoist group.” Sanjeeb Panda, another deputy inspector general of police, added: “We don’t have any official information regarding the split. But I can’t rule out that there has been a split among the Maoists.” source

Christmas peaceful in Kandhamal: Hindus join the celebrations

Christmas mass passes off peacefully in Kandhamal Bhubaneswar (IANS): Midnight Christmas mass was attended by thousands of Christians amid tight security across Orissa, including Kandhamal district that had witnessed widespread anti-Christian violence earlier this year. In many places Hindus joined Christians in the celebrations, officials said Thursday. "We have not received information of any trouble. It seems to be all peaceful," the Archbishop of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar Raphael Cheenath told IANS. "We held the Christmas mass with prayer and singing," Cheenath said, adding that he is satisfied with the security arrangements made by the government. "We are confident the Christmas celebrations will also pass off peacefully in the state," Cheenath said. Midnight mass was held peacefully in Kandhamal amid heavy security cover. Officials said except for the felling of two trees on the road in two places early Thursday no untoward incident was reported. The trees were promptly removed by security forces. "There has been no problem so far," Kandhamal district collector Krishan Kumar told IANS by phone. About 8,000 people still living in government-run relief camps in the district also attended the Christmas mass and decorated their camps, officials said. more

Kadamphul Nayak forgives her husband's killers in Orissa

Orissa: Christian Widow calls for Forgiveness By Nirmala Carvalho 12/20/2008 Asia News (www.asianews.it/) Christian Widow speaks about the attack by Hindu fundamentalists who killed her husband. BANGALORE (AsiaNews) - "This Christmas, Samuel will celebrate with Jesus, whom he loved so much. This Christmas I only ask Jesus that my husband's ministry - to spread the Gospel - will continue, that people will learn the Good News of our Savior, that people will learn to forgive and believe in His Name." There is no hatred or desire for revenge in the words of Kadamphul Nayak, 47, whose husband was killed by Hindu fundamentalists in the early days of anti-Christian violence in Orissa. "For me, it was a privilege to be his wife," the woman says, "and although we no longer have a home, the presence of Jesus in our hearts is a reason for comfort for us." .................. "The extremists, who were also carrying inflammables like gasoline and kerosene, came to our house, shouting Hindu chants. They dragged my husband outside and thrashed him severely, some of the men placed a knife and this throat and demanded that Samuel renounce Christ, which he refused to do. This angered the extremists, who then poured kerosene on my mother in-law and set her aflame. As she was burning, they repeated their demand to renounce Christ. One of them had tied me up with a knife to my throat also, but Samuel refused to embrace Hinduism. The extremists began slashing him on his neck, back and heels, they also slashed me on my stomach reaching up to my back. For the third time, they asked him to denounce Jesus, and in spite of the heavy bleeding and being in great pain, in a gasping low tone he said: 'For 25 years, I have been in the Gospel ministry, I have walked all over Orissa telling people that Jesus loves and Jesus saves, I will never abandon my Jesus'. This angered the extremists, who then slashed his throat, and shouted, 'Now let us see how your Jesus will save you'." more

Beat gong and blow conch on Christmas in Orissa: Sangh outfit

Bhubaneswar , Dec 20 A Sangh Parivar outfit today called people of Orissa to"blow conch and beat gongs on Christmas"after calling off the proposed state-wide bandh. " People have been asked to beat gongs and blow conch shells from 5.30 pm-540 pm on 25th December to protest the state government&aposs failure to arrest the culprits who killed VHP leader Laxmanananda Saraswati,"president, Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati Sradhanjali Samiti, Ratnakar Chaini said. " This will ring as a warning bell for the government,"he said, adding the bandh was called off following a request of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Patnaik reportedly said to them that given the complexity of the case, arresting the culprits require some more time. He, however, said the outfit had kept its option open to go for a democratic peaceful agitation depending on the situation. soure ....................... Fears of new anti-Christian violence in Orissa Saturday, 20th December 2008. 12:41pm By: Judy West in Religious Intelligence Dr Joseph D’souza, AICC President, said: “The climate of intimidation and fear among Christians continues in Orissa. Although we hope the state and central authorities act to protect thousands of innocent victims and prevent future mob violence, we’re deeply worried. We are appealing for preventative action through all legal avenues.” As we reported yesterday, the subject was raised in the British House of Lords. Earlier, on Dec. 10, 2008, the United States Congressional Task Force on International Religious Freedom held a briefing titled, "The Threat Religious Extremism Poses to Democracy and Security in India: Focus on Orissa." Witnesses included Vishal Arora, an independent Indian journalist who contributes to this site; Dr Angana Chatterji, Associate Professor of Social and Cultural Anthropology at California Institute of Integral Studies; Angela Wu, International Director at The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty; Sophie Richardson, Advocacy Director for Human Rights Watch's Asia Division; and Joannella Morales with the State Department's Office of International Religious Freedom. The AICC briefed two of the panelists during their recent visits to India. Dr D’souza said: “We are hopeful that our great democracy can resolve these issues by itself, but at the same time we welcome the interest of nations friendly to India and citizens of goodwill from across the world who believe in human rights and religious freedom more

Justice B K Somasekhara Commission orders grant of permission for prayers

Karnataka: Justice B K Somasekhara Commission orders grant of permission for prayers 12/19/2008 Justice B K Somasekhara Commission set up by the Karnataka Government to inquire into the attack on prayer halls in the state during September, has recommended the Davanagere District Administration to reopen the two Churches which were seized by the administration and allow the Christians to conduct peaceful prayer in seven places where the prayers were banned. The Commission recommendation is only till January one and it is upto the Distrct Administration to take a decision whether to continue it or not. The Commission held a preliminary sitting today after visiting 30l prayer halls which were ransacked during the attack. Talking to newspersons, the Commission Chairman Justice D K Somasekhara said the state government had been requested to extend the term of the Commission for another six month. more

Sangh Parivar calls off Orissa bandh

BHUBANESWAR: The Sangh Parivar on Friday called off its proposed Orissa bandh on December 25, the Christmas Day. The bandh was called off after a delegation comprising leaders from both the Sangh Parivar and Bharatiya Janata Party met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at his residence in the evening. The Christian community had expressed apprehension that a Statewide bandh on the Christmas Day would create communal tension in riot-hit Kandhamal district and other areas. CM’s assurance The members of the delegation that met Mr. Patnaik include president of Lakshmanananda Saraswati Shrandhanjali Samiti Ratnakar Chaini, Laxmikant Dash of the Vanvasi Kalyan Samiti, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Chandan Mitra, BJP MP from the State Dharmendra Pradhan, and BJP Orissa unit president Suresh Pujari. According to Mr. Pradhan, the Samiti decided to call off the proposed bandh after Mr. Patnaik assured the delegation that the government would take all possible steps to ensure arrest of all those who were involved in the murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Lakshmanananda Saraswati. more

NHRC notice to Orissa govt on Hindu groups' bandh on X'mas day

Published: December 18,2008 in Indopia New Delhi, Dec 18 The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) today issued a notice to Orissa government asking it to explain how it proposes to deal with a bandh called by the Sangh Parivar in the state on Christmas day. The Commission asked the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police of Orissa to explain in three days what steps the state has taken for protection of minorities during the Christmas season. The notice was issued after Congress leader Margaret Alva wrote a letter to NHRC in which she expressed apprehension that violence may erupt in Orissa in the wake of the bandh call given to press for arrest of killers of VHP leader Laxmananda Saraswati in Kandhamal district of Orissa. more

Catechist Yuvraj Digal killed by fundamentalists in Orissa

Orissa: Catechist Attacked by Hindu fundamentalists Found Dead By Nirmala Carvalho 12/19/2008 Asia News (www.asianews.it/) Yuvraj Digal, 40, was brutally beaten by a mob of about 20 people and disappeared. Today his body was found. BHUBANESHWAR (AsiaNews) – The catechist who vanished after being attacked by a mob of Hindu fundamentalists last Tuesday has been killed. Yuvraj Digal, 40, from the village of Kanjamedi in Kandhamal district (Orissa), was a well respected catechist and a leader in his local Christian community. (Proud to be Catholic? Show Your Support Right Now! Virtual Vigil of Prayer and Solidarity for the Persecuted Church in India. Please Sign the 'Catholic Action' Petition!) Sources told AsiaNews that his lifeless body was found today and that his death is attributable to the severe beating he received during the attack. Mr Digal and his 20-year-old son were making their way home on a motorbike from the village of Tikabali, some 50 kilometres away, when they were intercepted around 6.30 pm on Tuesday. According to his son Bidyadhar, about 20 men who met them on the road recognised his father. “They stopped him, insulted him and began beating him without any pity,” the son said. The latter was eventually able to escape the mob violence and sought help at a nearby police station. Police began a search for the catechist but he had vanished. Bidyadhar said the attackers, who numbered about 20, before they started their beating, accused him and his father of involvement in the murder of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati more

Call to observe Aug. 25 as "Indian Christian Martyrs Day"

INDIA  Ecumenical Group Calls For Indian Christian Martyrs' Day

November 20, 2008  |  IC06165.1524  |  427 words     Text size  

JABALPUR, India (UCAN) -- A Christian group in central India has called for Aug. 25 to be observed as "Indian Christian martyrs day" to honor Christians killed recently in Orissa state.

According to Madhya Pradesh Isai Mahasangh (grand assembly of Madhya Pradesh Christians), the ecumenical group in Madhya Pradesh state that made the demand, Aug. 25 was the day Hindu radicals killed the most Christians in Orissa.

The exact number of fatalities is not yet known, but available reports indicate at least 59 Christians perished in seven weeks of anti-Christian violence in that eastern state. The violence that also destroyed thousands of Christian homes and more than 100 Church properties including churches, and displaced around 50,000 Christians began on Aug. 24, the day after a Hindu religious leader and four associates were gunned down in Orissa. Maoists claimed responsibility for the assassination.

Some independent groups that toured Orissa in October put the number of Christians killed at more than 500.

On Nov. 9, about 200 members of the Madhya Pradesh ecumenical group met in the state capital of Bhopal, 745 kilometers south of New Delhi, to review the status of Christians in India.

Their resolution says establishing the martyrs' day will help the Indian Church remember Orissa Christians' "great sacrifices" for the universal Church.

Archbishop Leo Cornelio of Bhopal welcomed the group's suggestion and said the Orissa victims' "supreme sacrifice is admirable."

The prelate, who heads the Catholic Church in Madhya Pradesh, commended the Orissa Christians for preferring death to giving up their faith. He also pointed out that such sacrifice disproved the allegation that missioners converted people through allurement, force and other illegal means.  more

Christians arrested in Bangalore for conducting Prayer visits

Christians arrested in Bangalore, Karnataka.

Chandrashekar (54), Sandhya (45) and Kamalamma (43) are residents of Benson Town and Banasvadi. They are members of Pavithra Agni Church, Cox Town, Bangalore. Chandrashekar's wife Dr. Leelavathy is a highly placed official in the state government.

At 7.30 pm on 12th November 2008 Chandrashekar, Sandhya and Kamalamma were visiting Gayathri and Parvathi, residents in Doddigunta near Cox Town, who were sick, prayed for them, and left.

As they were returning, a group of 20 persons belonging to the radical Hindutva group the RSS, accosted them and alleged they were involved in forceful conversion. They snatched the Christians' bags and subjected them to verbal abuse. Then they contacted the Frazer Town Police station, and at once the police arrived in a jeep and took the three persons to the Police Station (this is against the law as women are not supposed to be take to police stations after sunset). They filed an FIR under section IPC 295A and 298. Later Sandhya and Kamalamma were sent to Ladies remand Room at 11.30 pm. Chandrashekar was detained in the police station and on the morning of 13th Nov he was sent to Jail.

more

another report

Orissa bishops ask the Government to rebuild the churches before Christmas

Orissa bishops warn state leader of ‘master plan’ to wipe out Christianity

Archbishop Raphael Cheenath

Orissa, Nov 13, 2008 / 04:54 am (CNA).- Denouncing what they called a “master plan” to wipe out Christianity, the bishops of India’s troubled Orissa region have written a letter to state’s Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik concerning the persecution of Christians at the hands of Hindu extremists.

The bishops challenged characterizations of the anti-Christian attacks as an ethnic conflict:

“Hindu Fundamentalist groups have been trying to name the communal violence as an Ethnic Conflict between the Tribals and the Pano Christians. A cursory look at facts reveals that this conflict is a calculated and pre-planned master plan to wipe out Christianity from Kandhamal district, Orissa, in order to realize the hidden agenda of Sangh Parivar of establishing a Hindu Nation.”

This agenda has allegedly been furthered by concealing the fact that the attack victims were Christians.

The bishops expressed happiness that the Orissa government has decided to establish a Fast Track Court at Kandhamal to expedite the trials of cases related to the violence.  In addition, the bishops requested that the judge of the court should be from a religion other than Hindu or Christian.

Continuing their requests, the bishops asked that the presence of national police in Kandhamal be extended until the parliamentary and assembly elections in Orissa are concluded, citing the State Police’s low numbers and inability to defend themselves.

Finally,  to allow Christmas preparations to begin and spiritual traditions to be observed.

“This will also help confidence building among the congregations and bury the past quietly as they approach Christmas 2008,” their letter concluded.  

more

Hindutva terrorists setting India on Fire!!!

Setting India on Fire!!! Violence against Christians / minorities "It is a matter of deep humiliation to confess that we are a house divided against itself, that we Hindus and Mussulmans are flying at one another. It is a matter of still deeper humiliation that we Hindus regard several million of our own kith and kin as too degraded even for our touch." M.K. Gandhi`s address to the US through Columbia Broadcasting System in 1930s: Such discrimination, as noted by Gandhi himself, forced many Dalits to convert to Islam, Budhism and Christianity, in the hope of gaining some social standing in the society that refuses to consider them human otherwise. But the VHP led Hindu right took this to be an unforgivable sin. To abandon their religion and that too for Islam outraged the hardliners to the core. The VHP saw this as a serious threat to its notion of Hinduism. India, the world`s largest secular democracy is everything but that. This rhetoric sounds good but only for so long. It becomes nauseating when this hypocrisy takes such toll that humans are openly butchered in the streets while the government prides itself to be a representative of those very people. more

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Police disrupt worship in Karnataka

On 2nd November 2008 regular worship was going on, at noon some policemen from Bagalkot TownPolice station arrived and asked the pastor to call off the prayer meeting immediately. He was warned not to conduct any meeting without the prior permission from D.C. The police officials also collected personal details of 25 persons who were attending the worship.

Basappa Adapur has been Pastor for the past 10 years of Shalom Full Gospel Association in Bagalkot district. He also manages Orphanage called Shalom Girls Boarding Home, Bagalkot.

Pastor Basappa had been targetted in an assault on 27th July 2008, during which even innocent children present in the church were not spared: miscreants pushed a 4-year old child to the wall causing severe injuries. Five other Christians, all women and children, also sustained serious injuries: the Pastor's wife Renuka (38), daughters Krupa(16) Manjula(15) and two orphans Yellamma (13) and Sudha (12) were injured in the assault. All of them underwent medical treatment at the Keruddi Hospital in Bagalkot.

Pastor Basappa has written to the District Administrator, the Governor and also GCIC requesting protection and preservation of thier human rights. source

Justice B K Somashekhar Commission of Inquiry into anti Christian violence, invites statements

OCTOBER 24, 2008

Karnataka: Commission of inquiry into anti Christian violence, invites statements

Deccan Herald - 18 October 2008

Inquiry commission

Bangalore, dhns: Justice B K Somashekhara commission, set up by the state government to inquire into attacks on places of worship, has invited statements regarding the attacks from the public.

Those filing statements should provide materials supporting their statements.

The public can file statements in the office of the commission or may send to:

The Secretary,
Justice B K Somashekhar Commission of Inquiry,
Balabrooie Guest House, Palace Road,
Opposite to BWSSB Office, Bangalore - 560052

or

Home Office,
Justice B K Somashekhar Commission of Inquiry,
# 175, Brindavana, 3rd E Cross, II block, III stage,
Basaveshwaranagar, Bangalore - 79

or

deputy commissioners of all districts.

Statements can also be emailed to - enquiry@jbkscol.org

courtesy: communalism watch 

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Communal Violence in Orissa

Vinod Sharma, Hindustan Times 

Email Author

New Delhi, October 14, 2008

Nun rape was shocking, savage, says Orissa CM

In an exclusive interview withVinod Sharma, Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik says he doesn't want communal violence to return to any part of his state

The communal violence in Orissa continued for days. Nearly 15,000 Christians are refugees now. Don’t you feel accountable personally? 

We have been taking action from the very start of the violence. I visited the district to bring peace and calm. An officer has been appointed as a special administrator of Kandhamal. He will look into the problems of land and false certificates that cause tension between STs and SCs.

Have you also sent a tough political message to the Sangh Parivar, of which the BJP, your ally, is as much part as the Bajrang Dal?

Over 1,000 people have been arrested. These include members of the Bajrang Dal and the VHP. We will brook no violence or any breaking of the law.

Haven’t the BJP and Sangh Parivar done you great disservice? They were behind the Graham Staines incident and also last year’s December riots

In the eight-and-a-half years that I have been CM, there have been two communal incidents, including the one in December 2007. Both were in Kandhamal that is among the 30 districts we have in the state. There are more than one lakh Christian in Kandhamal. At the beginning of the violence, there were a maximum of 20,000 in the relief camps. Now ten thousand of them have left the camps. I am sure more will be leaving soon. My job is to see that law and order is maintained; that peace is restored; that the law comes down heavily on anyone involved in violence, communal or otherwise; and to deal in a humane and caring way with the suffering people. 

But Chief Minister, don’t you feel personally betrayed by the Sangh Parivar?

I repeat to you again that people from extremist organizations who have been involved in these crimes have been arrested. The law will take its course.

Will you support a Central ban on the Bajrang Dal?

We have heard media stories about it. That will be the Centre’s decision. My job is to ensure that that anyone who commits a crime is arrested.

That means you do not support banning the Bajrang Dal.

Bans etc. are in the hands of the Central government.

Will you implement the ban?

We are obliged to implement anything that’s legal. But let me put it this way…. We have taken stringent action against those involved.

So, you say if the Centre proscribes the Bajrang Dal, your government will be obliged to implement it.

Let me clarify. Many people at the NIC meeting from all sides thought that banning an organisation does not work. But the law will take its course against those who commit crimes.

That’s another matter. If there is a ban, will you implement it? You said you’d be legally obliged to do so…

I said whatever any government is legally obliged to do, it will obviously have to do.

If there is another Kandhamal type incident, what shall be your political response vis-à-vis the BJP? It’s after all a political problem.

I am not an astrologer. I do not want communal violence to return to any part of my state. I do not want to speculate on the future.

Don’t you think a greater responsibility devolves on you to protect the Christians who aren’t a major vote bank in the predominantly Hindu Orissa?

I have been CM for over eight years during which only two communal incidents have happened. Staines was murdered during the Congress rule in 1999.

But the same forces were behind it…

It was a great tragedy, a horrible crime. I then was a Union Minister and visited Keonjhar after the incident. It was a terrible thing. But it did happen.

The BJP’s Kharabela Swain first said the Christians, not the Maoists, killed the Swami. But after the Maoists claimed the murder, he said the VHP leader was slain by Maoists who are Christians….

Our crime branch will get to the truth. We have also ordered a judicial inquiry into murder and the consequent communal violence.

Who are they? Are they Maoists, Christians or Christian Maoists?

Let the crime branch get to the truth.

The Nun’s rape was shocking…

Yes, shameful and savage…

Courtesy HT 

Demand for bill on communal violence

Christians demand bill on communal violence

New Delhi (PTI): Anguished over attacks on their community in Orissa and Karnataka, Christians leaders on Monday called upon Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and members of the National Integration Council (NIC) to curb incidents of violence and pressed for a Communal Violence Bill.

In a joint statement to the NIC, Christian community leaders said a Communal Violence Bill should be enacted. They claimed that the step should have been taken by the government long back.

They also demanded comprehensive relief and rehabilitation policies be drafted by the government.

The joint statement was issued by Archbishop of Delhi Vincent Concessao, Principal of St Stephen's College Valson Thampu and Secretary General of All India Christian Council John Dayal. more 

.......................

 "...Violence seems to be permeating society today, across the length and breadth of our country -- whether it be terrorist violence, whether it is violence with an ideological veneer such as that adopted by the Left-wing extremists, or communal violence," Singh said inaugurating the day-long meeting of the Council.Singh said those who threatened communal harmony, integrity and peaceful co-existence deserve very deterrent punishment.

"In doing so, we need to be bound by the framework of our Constitution and the political democratic process that enables us to reconcile differences through dialogue. We should not be provoked to suspend or subvert a democratic process in the search for solutions," he said.

The Prime Minister said democracy has a special onus in that it has to ensure protection of civil liberties even as it seeks to enforce law and order. It has also to be done in a manner that respects the constitutional bounds of a federal polity.  more

Convert or leave Ladapadar, Christian families told

The Hindu October 13, 2008 

Prafulla Das

As many as 22 Christian families changed religion on October 2

—Photo: Lingaraj Panda 

ALL FOR SURVIVAL: Kapil Digal of Ladapadar village in Kandhamal district, who converted to Hinduism for fear of attack, in front of his house on Sunday.

LADAPADAR (KANDHAMAL): Seventy-year-old Kapil Digal’s life changed on Gandhi Jayanti Day. He converted to Hinduism.

Mr. Digal, his wife, and one of their three sons changed their religion to save their lives, land and house. They were not the only ones. People belonging to as many as 22 Christian families of Ladapadar village under Phiringia Block of riot-hit Kandhamal district of Orissa converted to Hinduism on October 2.  more 

SCM Dharna in Protest Against Religious Violence in India

StudentChristian Movement of India, North Tamil Nadu Region, organized a Dharna in front of the Gurkul College, Chennai, on Saturday, 11th October, 2008.to protest against the continuing violence against minorities in several Indian states.  The SCM was  denied permission by the police to conduct a  protest rally.  

The Dharna was inaugurated by Dr. Ponniah Manoharan, Director of Gurukul.  Students from  various colleges in the city participated. Dr. K. Rajaratnam, Director Emeritus, Gurukul, Dr. Suneel  Bhanu, Acting Principal, Gurukul, Moulvi O.M.Muzzamill Ahmad H.A., Sister Elsa from the  Catholic church and  Rev. Ebenesar Kiruba Karan from the  CSI Church addressed the Dharna.  The speakers emphasised that by raising the question of  relgious conversions the communal forces are trying to bring back caste oppression in India. Communal forces in India are a minority and in the name of Hinduism they  are trying to bring back brahminic hegemony over India and to suppress the rise  of the former untouchables from gaining social and economic freedom.  The heart of Hinduism is pluralistic, tolerant and secular. The Christians who have been  attacked in Kandhamal, Orissa, are Dalits. The attackers are primarily interested in burining houses and destroying property  to prevent the economic independence of  Dalits. Swamy Laxmananda, the BJP missionary  in Kandhamal came from Uttar Pradesh and was instigating the Kandha tribals against Pana dalits and forcibly converting tribals and Dalit Christians to Hinduism.  No forced conversions  to Christianity  were  reported in Orissa or in any part of the country.  The issue of conversion was  raised as a ploy to attack the Dalit Christians and to create panic among the secular  Hindus. The organized attacks against Christians started in December 2007. Mass raping of the nun is only a symbol of  the violence that is in the heart of  its perpetrators. Violence agaisnt women is preceded by violence and rape of the earth and its resources. The secular as well as the non-political Hindu leaders should no longer turn a blind eye to the damage done by the VHP and its youth wing Bajrang Dal to the secualr fabric of India. The Indian heritage of  relgious tolerance need to be safeguarded. The Central Government should show the courage to dismiss the Orissa Governemnet which protects the communal forces and ban Bajrang Dal which turns Indians against Indians, the worst act of terrorism.  Dalits will not get justice under the present BJP supported Naveen Patnaik government and thousands of Christians living in refugee camps and in forests will not be able to return to their villages if  the Bajrang  Dal and VHP are allowed to continue to hold their sway over the villages. 

 In the afternoon there was a seminar on Youth's role against Communal violence in a Democratic Nation, in the Ziegenbalg Auditorium of Gurukul. Rev. Samuel Prabhakaran, General Secretary of  the National Missionary Society spoke on Christian Mission in the Context of Communal Violence.  He exhorted the students that retaliation is not a Christian option: "it is not in our blood." The Church need to be educated how to live and die for Christ in times of persecution. He reminded the audience the early Christian response to persecution in the Roman Empire. We are approaching difficult times. We should be spiritually equipped to meet the challenge of communalism without becoming communalistsMs. Geetha Ramakrishnan spoke on Violence and Negligence  of Human Rights in Communal Violence.  Prof. Bernard D. Swamy  spoke on the question,  Is  Conversion Unconstitutional?' Ms. Hannah led the discussion on the Role of Media in the Context of Communal Violence Mr. Eby  Ebenzar Thomas, Programme Secretary SCM North  Tamil Nadu Region, and Mr. Aravind Jeyakumar, Gurukul Unit President organized the  programmes.

Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil : Orissa Peresecution, "one of the worst" in India

Speaking on October 6 in the presence of Pope Benedict and about 240 cardinals and bishops from more than 100 countries, Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil of Ernakulam-Angamaly, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India, spoke with passion in straightforward language.

The cardinal denounced the violence against Christians in India, particularly in the eastern state of Orissa, as "one of the worst persecutions" in the life of the nation. It has produced "new martyrs," he told the synod.

Christians are being pressured to "reconvert" to Hinduism, he said, and those who refused to do so are being beaten, some even burned to death.

The persecution has led to the deaths of about 80 people and thousands have become refugees in Orissa. Many Christians have abandoned their homes and fled into forests to escape the fury of Hindu extremists, the prelate reported. read it all