Radical Hindu leader killed. Tension in Orissa

www.asianews.it
by Nirmala Carvalho
Prabhat Panigrahi had been arrested for involvement in the attacks against Christians. In the district of Kandhamal, there are fears of a new wave of violence. Meanwhile, Christians are being marginalized: they may return to their villages only if they convert to Hinduism.

Bhubaneshwar (AsiaNews) - Prabhat Panigrahi, a radical Hindu leader previously arrested for the violence against Christians in Orissa, was killed this morning by an armed group in the district of Kandhamal.

The police say that about 15 ultras - who were probably Maoists - entered the village of Rudiguma, 145 kilometers from Phulbani, and opened fire on the 30-year-old Panigrahi, a guest at the home of an activist of the nationalist Hindu organization RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh).

Panigrahi had been arrested for involvement in the violence against Christians in the district of Kandhamal, which erupted at the end of last August after the violent death of Laxamananda Saraswati, the leader of a fanatical Hindu group, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). He was released last March 14 from the prison of Baliguda.

Sajan K. George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians, tells AsiaNews that "Panigrahi was very involved in the riots and a known baiter of the vulnerable Christian people, and now the situation in Kandhamal, which was already tense with sporadic killings of Christians, will bring renewed fear. Moreover, there are serious anxieties in the runup to the general elections." Many analysts say that one of the motives in the pogrom was to disrupt the Christian electorate by driving them out of the region, in an effort to guarantee victory for the BJP, supported by radical Hindu groups.

Sajan K. George explains that there is still no peace for the Christians: "Our people are not even being allowed to collect the seasonal 'Mahua' flowers this season, these flowers which have traditionally been collected and sold to make local brew, found in abundance in the forests of Kandhamal. For years, they have been a source of livelhood for the villagers. However, this time even this is being denied to them, besides, they are not allowed to collect firewood. How will they survive?"

Sr. Sujith of the Missionaries of Charity recounts the other difficulties and forms of marginalization suffered by the faithful: "In many places, people are being given the first phase of compensation and told to leave the relief camps. Once the people leave, their names are struck from the rolls of the relief camps, and they cannot return. But our people are not allowed to enter the village as Christian, they have to become Hindu, so they have no alternative but to live under tarpaulin tents in groups in the outskirts of the villages, or live in shanties in the marketplaces, or become a displaced people, leaving the district or even state."

Sangh Pariwar postpones Kandhamal Bandh

Bhubaneswar ( Orissa) : The proposed Kandhamal Bandh call given on Friday by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and all its affiliated bodies has been postponed in view of the HSC examinations.
“We have postponed the bandh taking the future of students into account as the HSC examination is on,” a senior VHP leader said.
Earlier, the VHP and other pro-Hindu outfit were called for Kandhamal Bandh protesting the killing of RSS worker Pravat Panigrahi. Some unidentified gun men shot dead Panigrahi suspecting as a rioters.
“Instead of bandh, we would stage a dharana in front of the office of the district Collector seeking immediate action against the killers,” they added.
Meanwhile, the Sangh Pariwar blamed Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and twin cities Archbishop Raphael Chinnath for the brutal murder of Panigrahi. “We blamed Naveen and Church for the killing as few BJD leaders have an understanding with the Christian Militants to spread mayhem in Kandhamal,” Bajarang Dal national co-convener Subash Chauhan lambasted.
VHP State general secretary GP Rath, Vanavasi Kalyam Ashram State general secretary Dr Laxmikant Dash, Hindu Jagaran Samukhya State coordinator Basudev Barik, Swami Pranarupananda Saraswati and Swami Jeevan Chaitnya Maharaj jointly came down heavily on Naveen for his excessive minority appeasement step.
They served an ultimatum to the Chief Minister asking him to ensure the arrest of the killers or face the music.

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Orissa Hindu activist shot dead

Suspected Maoist rebels have killed a leader of hardline Hindu organisation Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in the eastern Indian state of Orissa.

Prabhat Panigrahi was attacked by about 15 people and shot dead in Rudhiguma village in Kandhamal district.

Hindu activists said the killing was the result of a "nexus" between state officials, Christians and Maoists.

Last year, Kandhamal district witnessed weeks of anti-Christian violence after a Hindu leader was shot dead.

The clashes erupted in August after Hindu groups blamed Christians for the killing.

Roads blocked

Mr Panigrahi was detained in connection with the anti-Christian riots and was released from jail only last Saturday.

He was one of 14 local leaders who were named on a hit-list released by Maoists for alleged anti-Christian activities during the riots.

Kandhamal police chief S Praveen Kumar told the BBC: "We are keeping all possibilities open and can comment on the possible killers only after a thorough investigation."

Police struggled to reach the remote village where the killing took place as the attackers had blocked roads with logs.

Angry villagers refused to allow the police to take possession of the body of the Hindu leader.

They are demanding compensation for the family of the victim, the immediate arrest of the killers and protection for Hindus.

Leaders of Hindu organisations reacted sharply to the killing.

"This is the result of the nexus between the state government on the one hand and the Christians and Maoists on the other," said Subas Chouhan, leader of another Hindu hardline group, Bajrang Dal.

"The Maoists have been given a free run in the area to bump off those working for the interests of Hindus," he said.

Nearly two dozen people, mostly Christians, died in last year's clashes in Kandhamal.

The trouble began after Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati was shot along with four others.

Although a senior Maoist rebel leader claimed responsibility, Hindu groups blamed Christians.

Hindu mobs went on a rampage, attacking and vandalising churches and Christian institutions.

Thousands of Christians fled their homes for refugee camps.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described the violence as a "national disgrace".

Hardline Hindu groups in Orissa say Christian priests bribe poor tribespeople and low-caste Hindus to convert to Christianity.

Christians say lower-caste Hindus convert willingly to escape the Hindu caste system.

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Christians beaten by the police in Uttarakhand

Dehradun, Mar 1, 2009: The House of Fellowship church is situated in Dehradun (Uttarakhand) on the Shimla Road and is 8 kms from the Dehradun railway station. For the past few months an unidentified group had been deliberately disturbing the church’s Sunday worship by playing music at a high volume at the time of the service. The Pastor of the church Kuldeep Singh Chadhdha went to the Patel Nagar police station which is 3 kms from the Dehradun railway station and filed an FIR against the culprits.

Today at 10:00 a.m. the police came and instead of taking the culprits to task, they beat up church believers Sanjay Verma (37) and his wife Maya Verma (26) and put them in the lock up. After Pastor Kuldeep went to the police station and took up the issue, they released them in the afternoon around 2:30 p.m.

Now the police is asking Pastor Kuldeep and his church to compromise with the culprit group. If they do not agree to compromise, the police have threatened to beat up the believers again.

Please pray for the safety of the believers and their pastor and for the resolution of this issue

Source: GCIC

Christian Father of Two Murdered in Orissa, India

Nephew, mother suspect Hindu hardliners shouting anti-Christian threats that morning.

NEW DELHI, February 25 (Compass Direct News) – Family members of a Christian found murdered last week in the Pandagadu area of Orissa state’s Kandhamal district said they believe the killers were Hindu nationalists such as those responsible for more than two months of violent anti-Christian rioting last year.

Hrudayananda Nayak, a 42-year-old father of two, was found dead on Thursday (Feb. 19) with several injuries to his head sustained as he took a shortcut through a forest to his home village of Rudangia, two kilometers from Pandagadu and five kilometers from G. Udayagiri.

His mother, Prasanna Kumari Nayak, has submitted a written complaint to police alleging the killers were associated with Hindu hardliners involved in last year’s rioting. His nephew Sujan Nayak, a lawyer and resident of Rudangia who saw the victim’s body, said that his uncle appeared to have undergone a fatal beating.

Sujan Nayak told Compass that on the day of Hrudayananda Nayak’s death, Feb. 18, his uncle told him before leaving home that he had received threats from three drunken men who were standing outside shouting threats at Christians in general that morning.

“He quoted them as saying, ‘We will not burn houses this time but will kill all Christians one by one,’” Sujan Nayak said.

Describing the injuries on his uncle’s body, Nayak told Compass there were wounds on his forehead, a severe wound on the left side of his head near the ear, as well as injuries to the back of his head and “marks around his neck.” He added that a blood-stained towel and flashlight battery were found near the body.

“From the battery and the injuries on his head it is evident that a huge torch was used for hitting him, and the mark on the neck shows that the towel was put around his neck to drag him,” he said.

There is reason to suspect the men who had threatened anti-Christian violence, he said.

“The three men threatening violence in the morning were seen on the same road passing through the forest where Hrudayananda was murdered at 11 at night on the date of the murder,” Nayak said, adding that the three suspects have absconded. “It is one week since the murder, and the suspects have not returned back home.”

He said that the victim’s mother also witnessed the threats that her son and others received the morning of the murder, “but due to fear of revenge from them she did not reveal this to the police.”

District Superintendent of Police S. Praveen Kumar reportedly said it is not clear that the murder was related to last year’s anti-Christian rioting.

“I am not sure if his death has anything to do with the communal violence,” he told media. “Our investigation is on. Somebody may have hit him on the head, causing his death.”

The killing is the third such murder since October 2008, when the more than two months of large-scale, anti-Christian violence that began in August officially came to an end.

Missing

Sujan Nayak said that his uncle left home in Rudangia for a market at G. Udayagiri on the afternoon of Feb. 18.

On his way back, Hrudayananda Nayak took a vehicle from G. Udayagiri as far as Gressgia village, from which he took a shorter route to Rudangia, crossing the forest by foot. It was around 7 in the evening. He had covered a distance of two kilometers and reached an isolated part of Pandagadu when he was attacked.

When he did not return home as expected that day, the following day villagers went searching for him in different directions. Around half a kilometer from the site of the murder is a school, and students there informed the search team of a blood-stained slipper lying near the school grounds.

The victim’s mother identified the slippers as belonging to her son, Hrudayananda Nayak. A rigorous search began around the area, and soon they noticed blood spots on a path leading up a hill. Reaching the top of the hill, between two huge rocks forming a cave shape they found Nayak’s body.

“His shirt and pants were taken off and kept aside, which means they had intentions of burning the body,” said Sujan Nayak. He explained that it is normal practice in the area to remove clothes on a body to be burned to reduce the time necessary for cremation.

Police were immediately informed, he said, adding, “Sniffer dogs were brought who led them to the lane of the house that belongs to one of the men who screamed threats the other morning, and then to a pond located in the same area used for bathing.”

Police suspect the killers had washed in the pond after committing the crime, Sujan Nayak said.

The house of the suspect to which the dogs led police is about 200 kilometers (124 miles) from the house of the victim.

According to Sujan Nayak, even after the dogs traced the lane where one suspect lives, police have been slow to proceed with the case.

Hrudayananda Nayak is survived by his 35-year-old wife, Reena Nayak, a 10-year-old daughter and a 7-year-old son.

www.compassdirect.org

Christian house burnt in Karnataka

Hindu extremists on February 3 burned a believer's house and threatened to build a Hindu temple on his land in Karnataka's state Tumpur, Tiptur area.
According to EFI, the extremists demanded Dasappa's land for a Hindu temple and urged him to give the land since three months back. On the night of February 1, Hindu extremists went to the believer's house and demanded his site for building a Rama Temple once again.
The extremists also verbally abused the believers claiming that there is no place for Christians in the village.
Dasappa refused the demand of the extremists and informed them that the land was allotted in his son's name and ratified with a court order.
On February 3, about 15 extremists armed with weapons barged into the house. They splashed petrol and burned the house to ashes.
The local Christian leaders lodged a police complaint but the police refused to register a case.
Source: EFI

Orissa: Hindu temple being built atop rubble of Batticola church

Source: www.asianews.it
by Nirmala Carvalho
Hindu radicals had previously tried to destroy it in 2000. The situation remains tense. Christians are humiliated and marginalized, unless they convert to Hinduism.

New Delhi (AsiaNews) - The foundations have been laid for a Hindu temple on the rubble of the church in Batticola, in the district of Kandhamal (Orissa). And the Christians returning to their villages are being pressured to convert to Hinduism. This information comes to AsiaNews from Sajan George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians, who has received eyewitness testimonies from the northwestern state.

The church in Batticola was rased to the ground and burned last August, at the beginning of the violence against Christians. Now, a foundation about one meter high has been laid in order to build a Hindu temple there. "On Feb 2nd around 12 noon, about 17 people, mostly men, left the G. Udaygiri relief camp to check on conditions at the Dokewadi hamlet in Jhimangia village before returning there. These Christians were surrounded by the Hindu villagers and given a dire warning: if they wanted to come back to the village, they had to convert to Hinduism."

Batticola is one of the primary targets of the anti-Christian campaign. Sajan Geogre says that last October, a Hindu fundamental group released a falsified document purported to be the minutes of a Batticola Catholic parish council meeting on May 25 that allegedly conspired to assassinate 85-year-old Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati. The killing of the swami last August 23 was the spark that ignited the series of attacks that killed at least 500 people, destroyed thousands of homes, burned hundreds of churches, and made more than 50,000 Christians flee.

The text of the minutes falsified by the extremists depicted the Christians as wanting to "offer sacrifices" against the "Satanic activities that stand opposed to the expansion" of the parish. The only problem is that the ritual words used in the document - in the Oriya language - belong entirely to the Hindu tradition, not to the Christian tradition, leading to the suspicion that the document is a complete fake.

This news from Batticola is a sign that the situation on the ground is not calm, although the government continues to give assurances that the danger has passed, and is closing the refugee camps, sending Christians back to their ruined homes.

Other sources say that some Christians who have gone back to Batticola have faced constant humiliation and discrimination. The Hindus in the village have instituted 15 unwritten rules against the Christians. One of them is that Christians should always give way to Hindus in the street; that in the public baths, the Christians should bathe last; etc.

All of this - the sources say - is very strange, because until recently "these people have lived together, celebrated festivals together, and basically a communitarian spirit prevailed, and yet there is a perverted sense of superiority and crushing the dignity of the Christians."

The Catholic church in Batticola was inaugurated in 1995. The Hindu radicals, under the leadership of Swami Laxamananda, tried to rase it to the ground in 2000.

One more arrested in Orissa nun rape case

Bhubaneswar (IANS): One more person has been arrested in Orissa for his alleged involvement in the rape of a nun during the communal violence last year in the state's Kandhamal district, police said Sunday. "Jayaban Digal, a resident of Sainpada village, was arrested Saturday night. With the latest arrest, the number of people arrested in the case has gone up to 11," investigating officer D.K. Mohanty told IANS from Kandhamal.

"We are likely to arrest about four to five more people in the near future," he said.

The 29-year-old Catholic nun was attacked by a mob and raped Aug 24. She filed a complaint with the police two days later.

The nun was earlier reluctant to attend the identification parade of the accused in Kandhamal despite orders by a court. She submitted a petition in the Orissa High Court seeking change of the venue to Cuttack.

The high court Dec 18 asked the police to conduct the test identification parade in the Choudwar jail, some 30 km from here.

The parade was conducted Jan 5. The victim identified only two of the 10 people arrested. The crime branch police, probing the case filed a preliminary charge sheet in the local court Jan 26.

Mohanty said they will submit a final charge sheet in the case after completing the investigation.

Kandhamal, about 200 km from here, witnessed widespread communal violence after the murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his aides at his ashram Aug 23.

At least 38 people were killed in the state and thousands of Christians were forced to flee their homes after their houses were attacked by rampaging mobs. About 5,700 people are still living in government-run relief camps in the district.

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A facade of normality in Kandhamal

Prafulla Das

KANDHAMAL: From outside, the situation appears normal in Orissa’s Kandhamal district, which witnessed large-scale anti-Christian violence five months ago. But interaction with locals and administration officials on Monday made it clear that the divide on the lines of religion, caste and political affiliations was hampering restoration of peace.

Although life turned a bit normal with the opening of some schools and colleges, distrust among those belonging to different religions and supporting different political parties, and Kui tribals and Dalit Panas continues to be conspicuous. Such was the level of fear that virtually no one was ready to divulge his identity.

Situation in camps

But many of those sheltering in relief camps, having losing all hopes of returning to their villages, were eager to reveal their identity.

“We are not able to go back to rebuild our homes as Vishwa Hindu Parishad activists have been reiterating that we should convert to Hinduism if we want to return to our village or else leave Kandhamal for good,” said 60-year-old Bitaliya Digal of Toparbali, who is staying with his family members at the Tikabali camp.

More than 25,000 people took shelter in different relief camps in the district when communal violence was at its peak. The riots broke out after the killing of VHP leader Lakshmanananda Saraswati on August 23 last.

But a vast majority of those who were in these camps left the district, while a few hundred families returned to their villages. Many of those who returned to their villages reconverted to Hinduism.

CRPF presence

Despite heavy deployment of Central Reserve Police Force personnel, many people are apprehensive that the situation could turn worse in the run-up to the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls.

More than 30 companies of Central paramilitary forces are now on duty in Kandhamal and the administration is trying its best to maintain this level until after the elections are over. But locals are of the view that tension will continue in Kandhamal for many more months to come.

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Church calls for dissolution of Madhya Pradesh minority commission

On 2009-2-4

JABALPUR, India (UCAN) -- Church leaders in a central Indian state have demanded the dissolution of a commission meant to protect the interests of religious minorities.

The demand came after the Madhya Pradesh Minority Commission recommended a law to bring Church properties including cemeteries under government control.

Archbishop Leo Cornelio of Bhopal, who heads the Catholic Church in the state, said on Jan. 25 the minority commission members have acted "in total ignorance and gross violation" of the country's laws.

According to media reports, the commission on Jan. 15 recommended that the government enact a law to set up a board to manage Church properties, similar to the Muslims' Waqf (foundation) Board. The Waqf Board, set up in 1995, manages properties for religious and charitable purposes. It also supports Muslim schools, colleges, hospitals and charity institutions, using money it generates from its properties and donations.

The Church opposes such a move for the Christian community because Church assets, unlike the Waqf properties, "are purchased after paying money and not taken from the government on charity," Archbishop Cornelio explained. He added that the Church manages its own properties legally following all government laws and regulations, and does not need additional institutional help to monitor the use of properties.

The prelate also pointed out that the commission's mandate is to protect the interests of religious minorities and to ensure their religious and civic freedom, as guaranteed in the constitution. On the contrary, he said, its latest recommendation "shows beyond doubt that it is disloyal to minorities" and "loyal to the government."

Church leaders suspect the commission was acting on behalf of the state government. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP, Indian people's party), considered the political arm of groups trying to make India a Hindu nation, rules the state.

Bishop Gerald Almeida of Jabalpur described the recommendation as "politically motivated" and aimed at curtailing Christians' freedom. He noted that the commission made it without consulting Church leaders.

Father Anand Muttungal, spokesperson for the Catholic Church in Madhya Pradesh, called the recommendation arbitrary and against the constitution. He wants the commission to withdraw it.

Christian laypeople are planning to campaign against the move through the ecumenical Madhya Pradesh Isai Mahasangh (Christian grand assembly). According to Christi Louis Abraham, coordinator for the state-wide campaign, Christians plan to ask state Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan to reject the recommendation.

Christian leaders say their community has suffered harassment and violence ever since the BJP government came to power in 2003. The party retained power for another five-year term in the state election this past November.

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Orissa Gov't to Boot Christians from Refugee Camps

After more than six months, the security situation remains perilous for Christians living in Orissa, India. But the lives of these persecuted Christians may soon be even worse now that the Orissa government is evicting them from refugee camps where thereafter they will again be vulnerable to attacks from Hindu extremists.

Tens of thousands of Orissa Christians are now being told to leave government camps to return to homes that no longer exist and to villages where Hindu militants openly wait with threats of violence.

The Orissa government is reportedly turning people away with just 110 lbs of rice and about $200 (10,000 rupees) for survival, according to Mission Network News.

During a speaking event last week in Washington, D.C., Catholic Archbishop Raphael Cheenath of Orissa criticized the government’s plan of providing Christians money in three installments to rebuild their homes.

Based on the government’s plan, the 10,000 rupees are meant to be used to build the foundation of a new home. After the foundation is built, the government will give more money to build the rest of the home.

But Cheenath pointed out that the Orissa Christians have been unemployed for months as they hid from the extremists in refugee camps. When they receive the 10,000 rupees, they will use it to buy immediate necessities such as food instead of the foundation for their home. As a result, these Christians will not be able to receive the subsequent housing fund because they failed to build the foundation with the initial 10,000 rupees they received.

Moreover, Orissa Christians leaving the government camps will be hard pressed to find local Hindus willing to hire them, according to Mission India, a ministry that assists the Indian church and Christians.

With no housing, little money, and no immediate employment, Mission India warns that there is an urgent need to provide basic supplies to Orissa Christians. The ministry’s staff is working with local ministry partners to distribute emergency items in relief camps, including cooking utensils, rice, a water jug, blankets, clothing for adults and children, a Bible, and a picture New Testament in the local language, according to MNN. Food and medicine are also being given out where they’re most needed.

Hindu campaigns against Christians began last August after the assassination of a Hindu fundamentalist leader in Orissa. His followers accused Christians of being the masterminds behind the murder and maintained this position despite a public statement by Maoist rebels claiming responsibility for the Hindu leader’s death.

Indian Christian leaders charge Hindu fundamentalists of using the swami’s death as an excuse to attack Christians.

Since August, at least 60 Christians have been killed; 18,000, wounded; 181 churches, razed or destroyed; 4,500 Christian homes, burned; and more than 50,000 Christians, displaced. More than 30,000 of those displaced were staying in refugee camps or hiding in the jungle, according to media reports.

India’s Supreme Court recently ordered the Orissa government to do everything within its power to protect its Christian citizens from being attacked. The Orissa government was also ordered to compensate Christians whose homes were destroyed or whose family members have been killed.

Archbishop Cheenath reported that the situation in Orissa has improved since the Supreme Court order because the Orissa government now knows that Christian leaders will not just stand still and watch their flock being attacked and abused.

The eastern state of Orissa has a large population of people from “outcast” groups – untouchables and tribal. Cheenath noted that it is the poorest state in India despite being the biggest supplier of minerals in the country. He contended that the government failed to stop the violence against the Christians in Orissa for months because of the “discrimination” against its poor population.

“Orissa, in the eyes of the government, is a non-entity as a state,” Cheenath said at the event hosted by Washington-based Hudson Institute. “There is discrimination. There is a neglect from the state as well as the central government because Orissa is not an important place.”

Cheenath filed the Supreme Court petition on behalf of Christians in Orissa.

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V-Day celebration is Christian culture, says Mutalik

5 Feb 2009, 0009 hrs IST, TNN

Bangalore: Unfazed by the strong criticism he has been drawing from all quarters and the national outrage he has kicked off, Rashtriya Hindu Sena (RHS) chief Pramod Mutalik on Wednesday reiterated his stated intention to disrupt Valentine's Day celebrations.
In a speech whipping up communal emotions and defying court orders (which had insisted he exercise restraint), Mutalik said Valentine's Day celebrations are akin to Christian culture. Addressing workers of Sri Rama Sene (whose parent body is the RHS) in Uttarahalli here, he said: "The Sene plans to write letters to colleges, hotels and greeting card shops not to promote Valentine's Day on their premises. Colleges should enforce strict action against students celebrating Valentine's Day.''
Mutalik, who is out on a conditional bail after Sene members attacked women in a Mangalore pub on Jan. 24, told reporters his organization would approach governor Rameshwar Thakur, CM B S Yeddyurappa, home minister V S Acharya and Bangalore police commissioner in this regard.
Asked on the alternatives before the Sene if the government fails to rein in celebrations, Mutalik said: "That question will arise only after the government or police fails to stall the celebrations.''
His release from the jail was celebrated by his followers as Vijayotsava (victory celebration). Prasad Attavar, the main accused in Mangalore pub attack, T S Vasanth Kumar Bhavani, Sene's Bangalore city wing president, were present.
The state government has no new plan of action to counter it. "We will not allow anyone to take the law into their hands," said CM B S Yeddyurappa.

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National Anthem Controversy in Madhya Pradesh and St. Thomas School

 

The Republic Day celebrations of this year in Madhya Pradesh remembered for quiet a number of days. It is due to the controversy arose from political, Governmental and social sector. The first controversy was heard Bhopal ward no. 31 of Bhopal Municipal Corporation. Here the Cooperator Mrs. Vandana Parihar un-noticingly hoisted the BJP Party flag in place of National Flag. She got over with it by the support of Mr. Alok Sanchar, the district of BJP. He said that the function was organized for the party to pray for the nation, and it has nothing to do with hoisting of national flag. The Second was from the State Minority Commission member Mr. Kulvant Singh who stopped National Anthem in between and asked all the participants to sing the National Song – Vande mataram- . He justified himself saying that he had issued instructions to all members to sing the National Song in place of National Anthem. The third was alleged to be a minister of the Sivrag Singh Government in Ashoknagar District of Madhya Pradesh unknowingly hoisted the National Flag Upward-down. In all these incidents no action is taken against anybody. The action of the Minority Commission is being justified by the alleged offender. He issued press statements in this regard justifying the act. In-spite of this the police is silent on this issue.

In this raw we have to see the National Anthem controversy in St. Thomas School , Bhopal. The Principal of the school Fr. Thomas Malancharuvil narrates that Sports teacher Arvind Gupta as per the custom of the School was given the responsibility of making arrangements for the Republic Day Celebrations. He is alleged to be a disobedient teacher came that day also late. He came only after eight thirty i.e one hour late as the decision of the school. The school had told him to do the preparations between seven thirty and eight. So that the school can begin the function by eight am. The whole programme could start only by eight forty five because no-one knew where the flag is kept by the sports teacher. After having all programmes related to Republic day the Principal announced that the school is hurt by the irresponsible behaviour of the teacher and the administration is suspending him for three days.

The teacher pleaded that he will not repeat laxity in duty and pardon him. The teacher with the cooperation a Lalit Sahu, the Drawing teacher and Thomas , the Music teacher wanted the principal to ask pardon to Sports teacher infront of all teacher and students. Their argument was that the pricipal suspended him in the public gathering so it must be equal in all regard. The School administration refused to do so. The three immediately took the help of Hindu organizations and accused the principal of insulting the National Anthem. An indentedent committee met the teachers in this regard and it was told by the staff that these teachers are trouble makers ever since the new principal toook charge.

The police knew that the incident has no link to the National Anthem so no FIR was made under the complaint made by the teacher. The issue took a new turn when on 2^nd February a group of ABVP activists vandalized school premisses. They destryed the office of the school. The police says that they are under pressure from all sides so they have registered a cae against father under the disrespect to National Anthem. It is a non-bailable offence. So the pricipal had to take bail from District Court. In this incident the ABVP activists also attacked one police personnal. He was injured so the police canned and they were arrested.

Mean while the Christian organization Madhya Pradesh Isai Mahasangh asked the Colector and SP of Bhopal District to conduct a Magiserial enquiry on the matter to assertain the truth, order a high leven enquiry into the role of the Piplani station officer for he has worked in a partisan manner, the district administration must ask the ABVP to pay for the dammage. They have told the district administration that if in three days time if no action is taken then the organization will approach the court for justice.

The Congress Party, Marxists, Different Religious Heads and Secular Organizations have raised question on the partician behaviour of the Police. They held protests in suppport of the Principal. They alos have asked the district administration to withdraw the case against the principal. The whole incident has put a question to the Government that what is the critieria of taking action against a person with regard to the national anthem ? How does the police take action on a person by flauting the law to save themselves from political preasure ? What is the condition of Law and Order under the BJP regime ?

Fr. Anand Muttugnal

PRO & Spokesperson

Catholic Church, M.P

09425636129

ABVP men ransack missionary school in Bhopal

Monday, 02 February , 2009, 17:37

Bhopal: Protesting against the alleged insult to the National Anthem in a missionary school in the Govindpura area of the city, Ahkhil Bhartiya Vidyarti Parishad (ABVP) workers on Monday created ruckus in the school by indulging in violence, police said.

The ABVP workers staged a demonstration before the school for allegedly insulting the National Anthem during the Republic Day function on January 26.

As the ABVP activists indulged in ransacking the school property, police cane-charged them to disperse from the spot and arrested nearly 15 of its workers, Bhopal superintendent of police (SP) Jaideep Prasad said.

Police also arrested the school principal, Thomas Malancheruvilla on the issue of allegedly disrespecting the National Anthem, the SP said.

Earlier, Vishwa Hindu Parishad's joint publicity chief, Devendra Singh Rawat, alleged at a press conference that on the Republic Day after the National Flag hoisting at the Saint Thomas Convent School, the school's Physical Training Instructor Arvind Prakash Gupta started singing the National Anthem as was the custom.

However, the school principal allegedly prevented him from doing so and insisted that he should sing the school prayer.

But Gupta did not stop in between and sang the National Song completely following which the principal announced his suspension from job from the dais itself, Rawat said in the presence of Gupta.

A complaint had been registered against the school in the Govindpura police station in this regard, he added.

www.sify.com

Orissa police file charge sheet in rape case

Special Correspondent

BHUBANESWAR: The Crime Branch of Orissa police filed a charge sheet in the Kandhamal nun rape case on Thursday.

As many as 10 persons who were arrested in the case have been named as accused. The charge sheet was filed in the court of the Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate at Baliguda in Kandhamal district.

The accused were charged under Sections 376, 34, 147, 148 and 149 of the Indian Penal Code, according to police. According to Crime Branch sources, the investigation was kept open as 20 other accused were not arrested so far. A supplementary charge sheet will be filed after completion of investigation.

The nun was harassed in public by a mob at K. Nuagaon in Kandhamal on August 25 last and subsequently raped when anti-Christian violence was at its peak in Kandhamal.

Communal violence erupted following the killing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Lakshmanananda Saraswati in Kandhamal on August 23. At least 38 were killed in the violence.

The test identification parade of the accused arrested in the case was conducted at the Chaudwar jail near Cuttack recently.

Click here for source

Orissa not to reduce forces in Kandhamal

BHUBANESWAR: As the situation was yet to turn normal in riot-hit Kandhamal, the Orissa government on Thursday decided not to scale down the presence of paramilitary personnel in the district despite beginning of the phase-wise withdrawal of Central forces from the State.

“We will not decrease the presence of Central Reserve Police Force in Kandhamal district at the moment,” State Director-General of Police Manmohan Praharaj told The Hindu.

According to Mr. Praharaj, a total of 10 companies of CRPF were withdrawn from the State during the day, including seven from Kandhamal. However, five companies of CRPF that were deployed in other parts were moved into Kandhamal, he added.

Two more companies of Central forces were to be moved into the district soon.

“The deployment of around 35 companies of CRPF will continue in Kandhamal,” Mr. Praharaj said.

As many as 53 companies of additional Central forces were deployed after anti-Christian violence broke out in the aftermath of the killing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Swami Lakshmanananda and four others in Kandhamal on August 23 last. While 38 companies were deployed in Kandhamal, the remaining were positioned in other parts.

According to police sources, the Centre earlier issued instructions for withdrawal of all the 53 companies by March end.

However, the Centre subsequently agreed to extend the deadline for withdrawal of all the companies after Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik requested that at least 20 companies of CRPF deployed in Kandhamal should continue till the end of the forthcoming general elections.

Meanwhile, the Communist Party of India demanded that the deployment of Central forces should not be scaled down in Kandhamal and adjoining districts.

Secretary of CPI(M) Orissa State Committee Janardan Pati also demanded that the administration should continue to run the relief camps in Kandhamal where thousands of riot-affected Christian people had taken shelter.

Those living in the relief camps should not be asked to leave the place until the government helped them rebuild their homes that were damaged or burnt down during the communal violence, Mr. Pati said.

At least 6,000 people belonging to Christians are presently living in different relief camps in Kandhamal.

Click here for source

Three withdraw anticipatory bail application in nun rape case

Cuttack (Orissa), Jan 19 (PTI) In a new development in the nun 'rape' case in Kandhamal district, three persons named in the police record today withdrew their anticipatory bail application from the Orissa High Court.
Fakir Mohan Das, Dhruva Charan Das and Hrushikesh Das decided not to pursue their cases for anticipatory bail after realising that their applications would be rejected by the high court.
Earlier, the court had rejected the anticipatory bail applications of three other accused.
The nun who lodged an FIR at Baliguda police station had alleged that she was raped at K Nuagaon during the Orissa bandh on August 25.
The nun had identified two persons, allegedly involved, during a Test Identification Parade (TIP) at a jail here on January 5.

PTI

Kui Samaj calls Kandhamal bandh on Jan 21

Cuttack (Orissa): The tribal organisation ‘Kui Samaj’ has given a bandh call in Kandhamal district on January 21 alleging that the State government is not taking proper steps to fulfil their demands.
Secretary of the coordination committee of the Kui Samaj Lambodar Kanhar said they had handed over a list of demands to the government.
According to him initially the State government had shown some interest to fulfil the demands and to pacify the Tribals.
Taking advantage of this slackness the exploitive non-Tribals had started using legal hassles to hold grab over tribal land and to protect the benefits they had acquired through false tribal certificates, Kanhar said.
“But later the State government has started ignoring the tribals,” Kanhar alleged.
According to him the State government did not prefer to consult with the tribal organisation and its leaders even while taking decisions related to the Tribals.
The organisation was not satisfied with the way in which the Tribal Advisory Council (TAC) had suggested to the addition of the term ‘Kandha’ with ‘Kui’ in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list without consulting the Tribals. They were opposed to the use of ‘Kui-Kandha’ as proposed by the TAC.
The tribal organization wanted it to be used in the form of either ‘Kui (Kandha) or ‘Kandha (Kui)’. According to Kanhar use of ‘Kui-Kandha’ would allow deceptive Kui speaking non-Tribals to get identified as Tribals.
In the volatile Kandhamal district bandh calls have become part of life. It is easy to observe a bandh as the panicked residents have no desire to take risks and prefer to stay inside and put down their shutters at the call of a few posters.

www.odishatoday.com

Christmas War’s Real Casualties

http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/16944/

Still Hounded, Indian Christians Stand Fast in the Faith

BY Anto Akkara

REGISTER CORRESPONDENT

January 11-17, 2009 Issue | Posted 1/5/09 at 8:04 AM

RAIKIA, India — For thousands of Christians in the troubled jungles of the Kandhamal district in Orissa, India, Christmas 2008 held out little hope. Hindu fundamentalist groups threatened to force a complete shutdown in the troubled region on Christmas Day.

Yet, the hounded Christians still remain unfazed and firm in their faith.

“Even if I do not have cake, meat, or new clothes for this Christmas, I will celebrate Christmas in my heart,” said Kadamphul Nayak, who was widowed in last year’s attacks on Christians in Orissa. “My family members have paid with their lives for our faith. So, I am also prepared to face any hardship for my faith.”

In fact, Kadamphul is not an ordinary hounded Christian from Kandhamal like thousands of others. Her septuagenarian blind mother-in-law and her husband, Samuel Nayak, perished at the hands of Hindu fundamentalists in the orchestrated violence against Christians in eastern Orissa state.

Since the twin murders in her family in late August, Kadamphul had been living at a crammed refugee camp at Raikia that is sheltering more than 8,000 homeless Christians in slum-like conditions. Recounting her horror story, Kadamphul said Hindu fundamentalists barged into her house at Bakingia when her husband was reading the Bible. The Hindu mob asked her husband to throw the Bible away.

“When he refused, they started beating him up with rods,” Kadamphul recalled. When he started screaming in pain, his blind mother came in shouting, “Who is beating my son?” The Hindu thugs instantly poured kerosene on the elderly lady and set her on fire.

After dragging Samuel out of the house, the mob hacked him with an axe. When Kadamphul rushed forward to shield her husband, she was cut at the waist and thrown, while others finished the job of killing her husband.

Illiterate Kadamphul shared her horror story with the Register on Dec. 8 in Bangalore, after the Global Council Indian Christians brought her to the city along with two dozen Kandhamal widows to draw attention to the suffering and continuing neglect faced by the victims of the anti-Christian violence.

“I am glad we had an opportunity to celebrate Christmas here. We may not get this chance in Kandhamal,” said Kadamphul as she prepared to return to Kandhamal by train along with other impoverished widows who were given a thorough medical check-up during the visit to Bangalore.

Sajan George, the council convener, said that although the government has declared compensation of $4,000 for those killed, only two of the 24 widows had received it. Police and government officials insist on documentary proof for the murders, including recovery of the bodies. But some bodies were thrown in rivers or dumped in deep jungles.

While the Orissa government puts the death toll at around 50, George pointed out that more than 120 Christians have lost their lives in the orchestrated anti-Christian violence let lose by Hindu groups following the murder of Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati. The senior-most leader of Hindu nationalist groups in Orissa was shot dead along with five of his junior monks by Maoist rebels who stormed his base Aug. 23.

Though the Maoist rebels claimed responsibility for the murder, Hindu groups say it was a Christian conspiracy, as the 85-year-old slain monk had carried out a vociferous campaign against conversion to Christianity in Kandhamal, where he was based.

The orgy of violence displaced more than half of the 100,000 Christians who live in the Kandhamal district, with more than 4,000 Christian houses, more than 200 churches and dozens of Christian institutions emptied and torched.

“As long as I am alive, I will not leave the Lord,” said Kumaro Kanhar, a 43-year-old Catholic from Sadingia, who had been beaten severely by Hindu fundamentalists and left bleeding while his house was reduced to ashes.

The fact that Kanhar was attacked on Sept. 28 showed that even five weeks after the attacks on Christians began Hindu bigots had a free rein in Kandhamal. That explains why terror-stricken Christians continue to flee, even from the government-run refugee camps to cities outside Kandhamal and even outside Orissa to remain alive and to practice their faith amid Hindu groups trying to force them to embrace Hinduism.

As soon as he was able to move around, after being treated in a government hospital for several days, Kanhar, with his wife and young two children, set off for Bhubaneswar, Orissa’s capital.

“I need to find a place to stay now and do odd jobs to feed my family,” he said in an interview at the archbishop’s house in Bhubaneswar. “I am prepared to give up anything, but I will never give up my faith.”

After the anti-Christian violence began on Aug. 24, Kanhar said, Hindu fundamentalists ordered him to “give up Christianity and be a Hindu” if he wanted to live in his village. When he declined, they took out everything in his house and made a bonfire of it.

Despite being the only Christian in the area, the illiterate farmer, who became a Catholic in 1988, amid repeated threats, stayed in his empty house while thousands of Christians faced with similar threats fled to refugee camps or towns outside Kandhamal to escape the ire of Hindu fundamentalists.

Enraged by his defiance, the fundamentalists arrived at his door on Sept. 28, beat him up ruthlessly and set his house on fire.

“Until the situation improves there, I will find a job here and look after the family,” he said.

Manoj Nayak, who fled his village of Daringabadi under similar threats, said Hindu villagers have been calling on him to return to the village, assuring him of living “in harmony” and reminding him that his “crop is ready for harvesting.”

“This is a trick to lure the Christians back and to force us to undergo the conversion ceremony,” Nayak told the Register at the refugee camp the Missionaries of Charity opened at their leprosy home at Janla, about 18.5 miles from Bhubaneswar.

Said Nayak, “You can take our crops and eat it, but we will not come back to be Hindus.”

Anto Akkara is based

in Bangalore, India.

Can't protect minorities, then quit office: SC tells govts

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court's judicial conscience, pricked heavily by the ugly violence against Christians in Orissa's Kandhmal district last year, appears to be still raw despite peace returning to the area and Christmas and new year celebrations passing off peacefully.
In an unusual outburst, after passing several orders which were being obeyed by the Naveen Patnaik government and the Centre, a Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices Markandey Katju and P Sathasivam gave a general ultimatum governments -- sectarian violence and persecution of minorities would not be tolerated.
"If your government is unable to protect minorities, then you quit office," said Justice Katju, who for the first time was part of the Bench headed by CJI which had been hearing a petition by Archbishop Raphael Cheenath.
"We can't tolerate persecution of religious minorities. If your government cannot control such incidents, then quit office," came the second salvo from Justice Katju as a shocked senior advocate K K Venugopal, appearing for the Orissa government, said things were peaceful in the area and that the state has implemented earlier orders of the apex court in letter and spirit with cooperation from the Centre.
However, Venugopal tried to wriggle out of the messy situation by shifting the focus towards the Centre by complaining to the court against the latter's decision to withdraw its forces despite the situation still being sensitive in Kandhmal district, which erupted after the killing of Swami Lakshmananand.
Without allowing the matter to veer away from the earlier course, the Bench directed the Union home secretary and the state home secretary to coordinate and resolve the number of troops to be stationed.
At this point, the CJI asked Cheenath's counsel about the infamous gangrape case pertaining to the nun and said he had been flooded with queries from different countries about it.
The counsel, senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, told the Bench that the nun, after initial reservations against a probe by the local police, was now cooperating in the investigations and had participated in the test identification parade to nail the culprits.
However, he alleged that the state government was delaying payment of damages to churches which were over 50 years old. He said though the total loss to churches and their properties amounted to nearly Rs 6 crore, the government had agreed to pay a compensation of about Rs 45 lakh.
Reiterating its earlier view, the Bench asked the Naveen Patnaik government to take a generous view while granting compensation and make early payments.

Click here for source

Nun identifies two accused

Correspondent

CUTTACK: The Baliguda Catholic Church nun, who was raped on August 25 last during the Kandhamal communal riots, identified two accused at the Choudwar jail here on Monday. All 10 persons arrested in this connection were paraded before the victim.

Along with them, 80 jail inmates were introduced as dummies.

According to reliable sources, the nun, however, erred in identifying another person who turned out to be a ‘dummy.’

Father Thomas Chelathin of the church, a key witness, could not identify any of the accused though they were paraded before him four times, the sources said.

It was learnt that the nun told the magistrate, who conducted the identification parade, that the main accused had not yet been arrested. The Orissa Crime Branch police, however, expressed satisfaction with her identifying Mitu alias Santosh Patnaik, whom the prosecution had been projecting as the main accused. Mitu along with two persons was arrested from Kerala.

Click here for source

Orissa Christmas update

Christians in Orissa had a "peaceful" midnight mass and  also morning Christmas service amidst tight security across the state. There was absolutely no problem reported any where in Orissa. The arrangement made by the state government was satisfactory. The people in eight relief camps in Kandhamal performed their ritual church practice without any trouble. There were prayers, singing and dancing in Kandhamal and elsewhere in Orissa. 30 churches in Kandhamal were provided with security cover even as villagers held mass prayers last night in their respective places of worship.

There were reports of road blockades from three places in the Kandhamal district and one person was arrested in this connection near Raikia area and the tree logs have been cleared by Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force immediately .The blockades were set up by felling trees at Linepada and Shankarakhole under Tikabali police station and at Katingia under Raikia police station.

The Christmas Service at Barakhama Church is just finished without any problem. I talked to the church leaders . People are happy this year as last year they could not celebrate the Christmas because of Communal riot. The district administration is negotiating with the tribal leaders to conduct a peaceful tribal congregation near Barakhama in Kandhamal this afternoon . However the Tribal Leaders are insisting to hold the death anniversary near the Barakhama Church and have threatened to call another Bandh if they will not be allowed to hold the first death anniversary near the Church. The situation is tensed at Barakhama but under control. The administration had already imposed prohibitory order for the purpose in the disputed.

Thank you very much for your prayer support. Please continue to pray for rest of the evening Christmas service to be held after a short while.

Update from Advocate B D Das

Kandhamal remains tense despite tight security

Kalinga Times Correspondent

Kandhamal, Dec 25: The situation continues to remain tense in this riot-hit district of Odisha in view of a call given by a Sangh Parivar outfit to observe bandh during the day.

Although the hundreds of Christian families attended the midnight mass at the relief camps dotting the district's landscape on Wednesday, those living outside the camps were apprehending trouble.

Despite the fact that the administration had strengthened security arrangements to instill confidence among the members of the Christian community, the district was likely to witness a complete shut down during the day as Hindu Suraksha Manch, a Sangh Parivar outfit, has distributed leaflets across the district calling for a bandh in the district.

Although Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati Shradhanjali Samiti had called off its proposed statewide bandh on Christmas Day, the Manch has appealed to the people to observe a peaceful bandh on the day to register protest against the state government's failure to arrest the killers of Swami Lakshmanananda.

Another factor that had posed problem for the administration was the decision of the Kui Samaj Samanwaya Samiti to go ahead with it plans to organise a meeting in communally-sensitive Barakhama area of the district in memory of Khageswar Mallick, a tribal leader who was killed during the communal violence in the area on the Christmas Day last year.
The head of the Samiti, Lambodar Kanhar, who claims to be the leader of the Kui speaking tribals is a sympathiser of the Sangh Parivar. He is now vying for a Biju Janata Dal ticket to contest the Assembly polls next year.

Patrolling has been intensified and the administration is keeping a close watch on the situation in the district, but outbreak of violence and clashes between the people and security persosnnel are not being ruled out during the day.

Click here for source

Christmas celebrated in Kandhamal relief camps

Kalinga Times Correspondent
Kandhamal, Dec 25: Even as fear continued to dominate the locale in this riot-hit district of Odisha, more than 8000 riot-hit Christian men and women living in the government-run relief camps celebrated Christmas on Wednesday night.

Although the administration had announced that it would provide security to the people wanting go to the churches to attend the midnight mass, no one living in the relief camps ventured out as none of the churches and prayer houses in the riot-hit areas had been repaired till date.

The residents of the relief camps organised attended the midnight mass that they organised at their respective relief camps where they have been living since communal violence broke out following the killing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati on August 23.

The members of the Christian community, however, celebrated Christmas in some villages under Brahmanigaon and Tumudibandh areas where they were in majority. Interestingly, these areas have strong Maoist presence.

There was no Christmas celebration outside the relief camps in the areas that had witnessed large scale attacks on Christian families, their houses and churches.

There was virtually no Christmas celebration outside the relief camps in the hundreds of villages that had been hit by the communal violence that continued for several weeks starting from August 24.

Click here for source

Christmas in Kandhmal amid tight security

It's Christmas on Thursday and for the Christians of Orissa what should have been a celebration is a tense and uneasy day instead. Even though the Sangh Parivar has called off a proposed bandh, there is still concern.
Home Minister P Chidambaram has appealed to the people of Orissa to maintain peace and harmony on the occasion of Christmas.
In a statement, the Home Minister said Christians were worried about their safety after a bandh call by Hindutva outfits demanding the arrest of a VHP leader's killers. However, he said that the Orissa chief minister has assured that there will be no bandh.
Chidambaram also said: "My appeal to the people of Orissa is to maintain the peace and harmony among different communities. I am confident that the Government of Orissa will ensure that Christmas and the days following will be marked by peace and harmony."
The Centre has sent extra forces for security and has also provided a helicopter to patrol over the Kandhamal and Sambhalpur districts.
However, Raphael Cheenath, the archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar diocese has expressed apprehensions about peaceful a Christmas in Kandhmal and the rest of the state.

Click here for source

Orissa Update 00:30 hours, 25 December 2008

DEAR ALL,
PRAISE GOD. THE  MID NIGHT SERVICE IN ORISSA CHURCHES FINISHED WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM.
YOURS TRULY,
Bibhu Dutta Das
Advocate , Orissa High Court
Stewart Patna, Cuttack-8

Orissa tops in communal violence - sify.com

Tuesday, 21 October , 2008, 18:11

New Delhi: Orissa has recorded the highest number of communal violence incidents this year, resulting in the death 41 people, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

"A total of 695 cases of communal violence were reported from different states during the period in which 116 people were killed and left 1680 injured," Minister of State for Home Affairs Shakeel Ahmad said in reply to a question.

"Orissa recorded maximum of 159 cases till September 2008 which left 41 people dead and 76 injured. The ministry does not maintains record of the property destroyed during the violence," he said.

In terms of toll, Orissa was followed by Madhya Pradesh where 19 people were killed, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh where 11 people lost their lives and Karnataka where three persons were killed.

Ahmed was replying to a question by Parliament Members Naveen Jindal and P Karunakaran. He said the data included recent incidents of violence targeted against the members of Christian community in Orissa in the wake of murder of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four others on August 23 this year.

The Minister said seven advisories and communications were sent to Orissa Government between September 25 to October 18, 2008 at various levels. "Four advisories were sent to Karnataka between September 15 to October 15, 2008," he said.

"Orissa was asked to take stringent action against persons indulging in communal violence, including identification and apprehension of elements inciting communal violence and hatred," the Minister said.

Similarly, Karnataka was also asked to take immediate steps to stop violence targeted at minority communities and their places of worship, Ahmad said.

The deadly spark of anti-Christianism

Wednesday, 29 October , 2008, 23:54
Last Updated: Monday, 03 November , 2008, 17:55

Bhaskar Roy, who retired recently as a senior government official with decades of national and international experience, is an expert on international relations and Indian strategic interests.

"One spark can set a thousand prairies on fire,” wrote the legendary Mao Zedong. He proved it by launching the Great Proletariat Cultural Revolution (GPCR) in 1966 with the slogan “bombard the headquarters”. The Revolution, which had anything, but “culture” in it, ravaged China for ten years till Mao died in 1976.

The not so small spark lit by the Bajrang Dal in Orissa’s Khandamal district, raping, killing, burning and driving out Christians in retaliation to the killing of Swami Lakshmanand Saraswati and some others of his Ashram, quickly spread to Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and even touched Delhi.

Some groups like the Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) have become self-proclaimed guardians of Hindu culture. Their actions, however, suggest they hardly understand the meaning of the word culture or “Sanskriti” . Goondaism is anathema to Hindu culture and tradition.

Political leaders of almost all hues have also played their roles by both omission or commission, as the case may be. Although the two organizations are linked to the BJP, a close look at the opinion in the highest level in the BJP would suggest many of them do not subscribe to such acts from their affiliated organizations. Some of the BJP leaders who came and spoke on television talk shows and debates always tried to obfuscate the real issue. In politics, this is understandable, but the issue must be addressed on a much larger context.

The UPA Government at the Centre was, as always, on half measures. Why was the dispatch of paramilitary forces to Khandamal delayed by four days despite a request for the same from the Orissa Government? The explanation from the Central Government that it took time to pull out the forces from other duties, does not appear convincing. The protestations from the Union Home Minister were feeble.

Karnataka, the next most affected state, is an example to be noted. The BJP Chief Minister of the State pretended to be blissfully unaware of the real intensity of the attacks. It was appalling to hear him describe the ransacking and burning of a church by Bajrang Dal mobs as having been caused by an electrical short circuit!

Till recently, vote bank politics was played on Muslims and castes. It would be unfortunate if even the Christians were drawn into it. The Christian community in India has by and large stayed out of the politics of religious divide. Why force them into it now?

Returning to Khandamal, the Maoists have claimed more than once that they killed Saraswati because he was engaged in coercing Christians to return to Hinduism. It has also been reported that there were about forty people armed with guns and other weapons who attacked the ashram. The Christians of Khandamal obviously did not have such weapons, nor did the organization.

Therefore, why did the Bajrangis not take on the Maoists, but, as it appears, used the incident to turn on the weak community?. Orissa Chief Minister Navin Patnaik Naveen Pattanaik is, by no imagination, a communalist. It appears he was not kept adequately informed by his coalition partners in his Ministry and the local administration in Khandamal.

The Khandamal case has another face. It is a struggle between two groups of have-nots. It is a very poor place. There is a question about access to reserved jobs for the lower castes and land. Those who change their religion are no longer eligible for these reserved jobs.

This is an anomaly that the Central Government must address. Reservations are based on historical neglect of certain sections of society. Changing one’s religion on a person’s freewill does not change his historical predicament. In Khandamal, one of the points of contention was the alleged attempt by Christians to hide their religion and lay claims to reserved employment. Unfortunately, these problems were turned to political opportunism, and spread across the country.

The issue of conversion has become a central debate. The Christian missionaries brought education and healthcare to India. They are still involved in these areas. The question is whether they are using these and relief efforts and jobs to entice the have-nots to change their religion. There is a counter question, also. Can groups like the Bajrang Dal and the VHP provide these people with their basic human rights? These are questions that merit a much larger debate at the national level.

The leaders of the church have their responsibility, too. It is a fact that missionaries take advantage of situations at times to entice conversion. The New Light Church of Bangalore owes an explanation to the people about a book circulated that insults Hindu gods and goddesses. The writings of this book reflect the writings in another book published by the Southern Baptists in the USA a few years ago.

The involvement of external interests in religion in India and in other non-Christian countries is not new. But this is no excuse for persecution of Christians for political and economic reasons. If there is a problem, it is for the authorities to investigate and bring out the truth. Vigilante justice on any ground proven, imagined or deliberately construed is unacceptable.

Political leaders of the country must understand that the anti-Christian riots have been taken serious note of abroad. Even Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s attention was drawn to this issue by French President Nicholas Sarkozy.

India is on the verge of entering the highest levels of the global community. Along with China, it is about to enter the Group of Eight (G8) countries. It has broken through the nuclear cage. The successful launch of the Chandrayaan-I moon mission on October 22 took India to the top four countries in the world in this area. India’s membership to an expanded UN’s Permanent Security Council, mainly with western support – the US, the UK, Germany, France, Russia and, of course, Japan -- is on the anvil. The US and the West European countries have strong Christian lobbies, which they cannot ignore. The attacks on Christians in India have been taken note of by the churches, the governments and the media in these countries with consternation.

The political leaders in India must contemplate deeply how far they are willing to risk the country’s destiny for narrow and eventually fragmenting vote bank interests.

The nation’s interests are supreme. But one wrong spark can burn it down.

The views expressed in the article are of the author’s and not of Sify.com

Heavy security at Orissa churches, temples

Tuesday, 23 December , 2008, 12:32
Last Updated: Tuesday, 23 December , 2008, 12:38

Bhubaneswar: Armed policemen have been deployed at several churches, major temples and other religious establishments in Orissa as authorities and many Christians apprehend trouble during Christmas in the state that witnessed widespread communal violence in recent months.

"We have posted armed policemen at all major churches across the state. Policemen have also been deployed at Hindu religious places like the Jagannath Temple and the Sankaracharya Math in Puri," a state home department official said on Tuesday.

Around 4,000 policemen and security personnel have been deployed in Kandhamal district, around 200 km from here, which saw widespread communal violence in August and September following the killing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his aides at his ashram on August 23. But district authorities have asked for more security forces on Christmas day.

Kandhamal seeks more forces ahead of Christmas

Hindu groups had given a shutdown call on December 25, demanding immediate arrest of all the people involved in the murders that triggered communal violence in the state. On Friday, they called off their proposed shutdown after assurances from the government. Seven people have already been arrested for the killings.

At least 38 people were killed in the state and thousands were forced to flee their homes after their houses were attacked by mobs in retaliation for the murders of Saraswati and his aides. About 8,000 people are still living in government-run relief camps in Kandhamal. Hindu extremist groups blamed Christians for Saraswati's murder, though Christian groups have denied this repeatedly.

The Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati Shradhanjali Samiti, an organisation linked to VHP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), said instead of the rally, it would organise prayer meeting across the state on Christmas day.

Orissa tops in communal violence

Christians fear the prayer meetings may stir further trouble. "This is not in the spirit of peace and harmony. It could lead to miscreants indulging in further arson and attack against Christians," Sajan George, president of the Global council of Indian Christians (GCIC), said.

But Hindu leaders maintain there won't be any violence. "The prayer meetings will be peaceful," said Ashok Sahu, a Hindu leader and a former police official.

State Home Secretary A P Padhi said necessary security arrangements are in place to ensure a peaceful Christmas. "Security measures have been taken for churches across the state," he said.

Kandhamal District Collector Krishan Kumar on Monday said the authorities there have asked for the deployment of more forces. District authorities added that they have organised over 150 peace rallies across the region in the past week and intensified patrolling on roads.

Christian leaders have, meanwhile, asked people in Kandhamal to perform midnight mass as per their convenience.

"Some churches are located in remote forested areas. It may not be safe for some people to return home after performing midnight mass at those churches. We have advised people to perform mass at relief camps itself," Swarupananda Patra, general secretary of the All Orissa Baptist Churches Federation, said.

According to Patra, the Baptist Churches Federation runs around 3,440 churches in Orissa and of them, 1,000 in Kandhamal alone.

Source

Church serial blasts: 11 criminals get death

30 Nov 2008, 0000 hrs IST, TNN

BANGALORE: A local court on Saturday awarded Death sentence to 11 muslim Jihadi criminals and life sentence to 12 muslim Jihadi criminals in connection with the 2000 serial blasts in churches across Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa.

Special sessions court judge S M Shivanagoudar, who had convicted 23 people last Friday, pronounced the judgment. All the muslim convicts belonged to the Deendar Channbasaveshwara Anjuman sect. While kingpin muslim Zia-ul-Hassan and his four children are in Pakistan, four others acquitted. Three of the accused died while trying to escape after planting a bomb at a Bangalore church.

Special public prosecutor H N Nilogal had pleaded for capital punishment for all the 23 convicted. The group had triggered six blasts in Andhra Pradesh, one each in Maharashtra and Goa and four in Karnataka.

The CoD (Corps of Detectives) team, comprising DSPs - V S D'Souza, M B Appanna, G R Hiremath and Manthesh - investigated the three blasts in Karnataka churches at Wadi, Hubli, Bangalore and the fourth blast in which the culprits were killed in a van and filed a chargesheet before the special court.

The accused were made to believe that blasts at churches in India would trigger a civil war between Hindus and Christians. A religious leader from Afghanistan would invade and conquer India, which would be converted into an Islamic country.

The serial blasts were carried out by activists of Deendar Channabasaveshwara Anjuman, founded in the 1920s. The conspiracy was hatched in October 1999 in Hyderabad, during the death anniversary of its founder Hajrath Moulana Siddiqui. Siddiqui's son, Zia-ul-Hasan and his four sons, who migrated to Pakistan, had visited Hyderabad during Siddiqi's death anniversary.

On June 8, 2000 two bombs had exploded at St Anne's Church, Wadi in Gulbarga district of Karnataka. The CoD filed chargesheet against 19 accused. Since four of them were absconding, 15 accused faced trial. On July 8, 2000, bombs exploded at St John's Luthern Church, Hubli. The CoD filed a chargesheet against 19 accused, of which 16 faced trial.

Next day, bombs exploded at St Peter Paul Church, JJ Nagar, Bangalore, where the cops filed a chargesheet against 29 accused, of which 17 faced trial. Within minutes, a van carrying people who planted the bombs also went off accidentally on Magadi Road, where two of the accused -- Zakir and Siddiqi -- were killed and another accused S M Ibrahim was injured.

Those Muslims who were awarded capital punishment are: Mohmad Ibrahim (40), Bangalore; Shaikh Hasham Ali (30), Hyderabad; Hasnuzama (55), Nuzvid, AP; Abdul Rehman Saith (50), Chikkaballapur; Amanath Hussain Mulla (58), Bangalore; Mohammed Sharfuddin (37), Hyderabad; Sayed Muneeruddin Mulla (40) -- Hubli; Mohd Akhil Ahmed (29), Hyderabad; Ijahar Baigh (32), Hyderabad; Sayed Abbas Ali (28), Hyderabad; Mohmad Khalid Choudhary (32), Hyderabad.

Christian Organization Attacked in Orissa

November 29, 2008:
Suspected Hindu extremists on November 25 attacked a Christian office and set ablaze their vehicle in Parkakhemundi, Gajapath, Orissa.
According to the EFI correspondent in Orissa, the assailants stormed the India Gospel Outreach and Social Action (IGOSA) office and assaulted the director Rev. Niranjan Bardha before completely burned down the organization vehicle. No serious damaged was done to the office.
The Christian filed a police complaint in Parlakhemundi police station. Police investigation is going on but no arrests has been made at press time.
The IGOSA office is set up at an anti-Christian area and they face tremendous pressure and opposition from the Hindutva.The Hindutva had also earlier attempted to burn down the jeep.
Anti-Christian violence continued unabated for over two months in Orissa state from Aug 24 after the assassination of a Hindu leader.
Orissa is ruled by a coalition of a local party, the Biju Janata Dal, and the Hindunationist Bharatiya Janata Party, which has a close ties with the Vishwa HinduParishad.
Please pray for the persecuted Christians in Orissa and that peace will be restored.

Statement by NUCF on Terror Blasts in Mumbai

National United Christian Forum
(CBCI, NCCI and EFI Churches)
Archbishop’s House, 1 Ashok Place, New Delhi – 110001
+91 11 23343457/ 23362058 Fax: +91 11 23746575

Archbishop Vincent Concessao

CBCI, President NUCF

Bishop Dr. Taranath S. Sagar

President NCCI, Vice President NUCF

Rev. Halli Likha

Chairman, EFI, Vice President NUCF

Rev. Fr. Thomas Sequira
Deputy Secretary General, CBCI

Bishop Dr. D.K. Sahu
General Secretary, NCCI

Rev. Dr. Richard Howell

General Secretary, EFI

Statement by NUCF on Terror Blasts in Mumbai

New Delhi 28/11/08

Archbishop Vincent M. Concessao, the Archbishop of Delhi and the President of the National United Christian Forum (NUCF), which represents Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) and Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI), has strongly condemned the terror attacks in Mumbai, one of the worst in the recent history of India.
Extending his heartfelt condolences to the relatives of those who have lost their lives in the violent attack on innocent people for no rhyme or reason, the archbishop along with other members of NUCF has offered prayers for the repose of the souls of those that departed from this world. He has also expressed his "get-well soon wishes", to the injured in these attacks.
Totally shocked at hearing the news of the unprecedented incident on unsuspecting victims, the Archbishop has appealed to all people of good will to come forward to extend all help to the victims and their families in the true Christian spirit of love and charity. He has also appealed to people of all sections of society to keep calm during this huge tragedy that has struck our nation as well as to offer their prayers both for those who have lost their lives and the injured as well as for a lasting peace in our country.
Archbishop Concessao has also applauded the commendable work done by the security forces and expressed special words of appreciation for those 14 police personnel who lost their lives protecting the civilians from the brutal hands of terrorists, putting call of duty above anything else.
Issued by Rev. Dominic Emmanuel on behalf of NUCF

Rev. Dr. Richard Howell
Secretary, NUCF

RSS leader shot dead by suspected Maoists in Kandhamal. Reported by Indian Express.

Phulbani (Orissa), November 5: : After a month's lull in violence ravaged Kandhamal, suspected Maoists on Wednesday gunned down a local RSS leader sparking fresh tension in the area.

RSS leader Dhanu Pradhan, who was said to be on the Maoists' hitlist, was gunned down by three suspected extremists at Kumarigaon village under Brahmanigaon police station area in Kandhamal at 1:00 PM, sources said.

The Maoists had earlier claimed that they killed VHP leader Swami Laxamananda Saraswati on August 23, which sparked communal violence in the state.

"We have information that a person has shot dead, but we are yet to confirm on the identity of the victim and the killers," DIG, Southern Range, R S Koche said over phone.

NOTE: Let's hope they do not blame the Christians for this death again. Our sympathies with the family.

India arrests after church attacked

Three members of a right-wing Hindu group have been arrested after an attack on a church in northern India where Christian literature was being distributed, a police official said.

More than 50 activists of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, or the World Hindu Council, attacked the church in Choela Buttuwala village in Uttarakhand, Dinesh Chandra, police said.

The church's pastor and two colleagues had been distributing religious literature at the time.

"The VHP activists beat up all three alleging they were trying to convert local residents," Chandra said.

The three men were charged with vandalism, he said.

The latest violence comes after weeks of bloody anti-Christian rioting that broke out in the eastern state of Orissa in late August. At least 38 people were killed, as many as 30,000 left homeless, and dozens of churches destroyed.

The riots followed the killing of a Hindu religious leader. Police blamed Maoist rebels, but conservative Hindu groups accused Christians of responsibility for the death.

The anti-Christian violence also touched other parts of India, with churches vandalised and Christians attacked in the high-tech hub of Bangalore, the city of Mangalore and in the coastal state of Kerala.

About 2.5% of India's 1.1 billion people are Christians, while more than 80% are Hindu. India is officially a secular nation.

Source

Calling itself ‘Savarkar Sena’, mob attacks church, pastor in Dehradun

Rajeev khanna

Dehradun, November 3 : Adding to the alarming tally of attacks on churches, a pastor and a caretaker of a church along with a visitor were beaten up by a mob at Choyla Chandrabani area of Dehradun on Monday. A mob of about 50 people claiming to be the “Savarkar Sena”, roughed up Pastor Hemant, caretaker Ranjit and a visitor, Asher. It ransacked the church, looted the money that was offered by devotees and also took away a copy of the Bible, announcing its intention to desecrate it at a public place in the city.

According to sources, at around 9.30 am the mob shouting slogans like “Veer Savarkar Sena Zindabad” and “Dharam Parivartan Nahin Chalega” stormed the premises of the church which is run by the Bethesda Marg Trust. The police, however, managed to prevent the planned desecration of the Bible at the city Clock Tower.

H S Rao, a spokesperson of the Christian community, told The Indian Express that the three persons were beaten up in the presence of police personnel and Asher taken into custody. “It was only after they had been beaten up badly that the police personnel present at the spot intervened,” he said. After the residents of the area brought the incident to the notice of senior Congress leader Suryakant Dhasmana, he alerted the police who then swung into action to prevent the proposed desecration.

Patel Nagar SHO Dinesh Baunthiyal denied the allegation that the persons had been beaten up in the presence of the police. He said that the police had reached the spot after the incident and that Asher had been taken to the station only to ensure his protection.

Dehradun SSP Amit Sinha gave an assurance that the guilty would not be spared. However, no arrests have been made so far.

Meanwhile, Dhasmana attacked the forces of Hindutva stating, ‘‘They are trying to turn Uttarakhand into another Orissa and Gujarat.”

He criticised the B C Khanduri-led Government for failing to protect the rights of the minorities in the last five months.

Click for source

Relief Workers Arrested in Orissa

7 persons, all staff of an NGO called Discipleship Center of Tihidi Block, Bhadrak dist. were arrested on the false charges of Conversion by allurement on at 1.30 pm on 4th November '08. The NGO has been doing social welfare work for a long time in the area. that day, they were engaged in relief work in the flood affected areas as assigned by their office. They were arranging relief materials to be delivered to the flood affected victims at a village called Daulatpur under Sindola panchayat, Tihidi Block of Bhadrak Dist, in Tihidi Block.

The previous day, on their way back from the field, they met with an accident in which two bicyclists were involved. At once a mob of around 500 to 1000 Hindutva fundamentalists gathered and detained them, subjected them to verbal abuse, false accusations and handled them roughly, pushing and slapping them in public for some hours. Finally they were handed over to the Police who produced them before the Court on 5th November.

The complainants, said to be Hindutva extremists, are : Dhiren Rout, Sashikanta Biswal, Jagdish Bal, Sanjay Barik, Sanatana Das, Surendra Sahu, Bikash Ranjan Das and Fakir Mohan Senapati and many other villagers who filed a case no.222/04.11.08 on 153, 34 IPC against the staff of the NGO.The injured persons namely Bikram Keshari Senapati and Budhiram Sethi who belong to Hindu radical groups also lodged a separate case against them vide No. 223/04.11.08 on 279 and 337 IPC. The social workers have also filed a counter case against these perpetrators vide case no. 224/04.11.08 on 143,341,323,294,354 and 149 IPC.

GCIC is following up the matter. Please pray as these persons are being harassed by the Hindu fanatics who were after them for long.

Marxist-Leninist fact-finding report says 500 Christians killed in Orissa in August-September 2008 pogrom, cites government officer

[Marxism] MLIN [Nov.-Dec.08] ML International Newsletter, November-December 2008

Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation international team

Liberation Magazine, November, 2008.

Websites: [mlint.wordpress.com] and [www.cpiml.org]

Emails: [cpiml_elo@yahoo.com] and [cpimllib@gmail.com]

Orissa Pogrom

Fact-Finding Report on Kandhamal Situation

A Communist Party of India [CPI (ML)] fact-finding team visited Orissa's Kandhamal District on 15-16 October, 2008. The team visited affected villages and relief camps, after facing interrogation by the Orissa Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The team also met District Magistrate (DM) and various police officials of Kandhamal district. Below is a report by team member J P Minz.

1. The District Magistrate's (DM) Statement: The DM told us that Kandhamal had been peaceful for the preceding ten days. Whereas there used to be fifteen relief camps, now only seven were operational, having 12,641 people. According to him, breakfast, meals, supplementary food meant for children, and iron and calcium tablets for pregnant women are available in these camps; a doctor is available round the clock; books are available for children and there are
regular reading sessions. Blankets, sarees, buckets and mugs and similar essentials have also been provided.

2. Conditions at the Relief Camps: Our team visited Phulbani, Tikabali, Ji Udaygiri and Rakiya relief camps and found that the inmates of the camp are living in extremely bad conditions. In the
name of breakfast they get only fifty grams of chura (beaten rice) and rice-dal for meals, which is not enough to satisfy the needs of hunger and nutrition. In the name of supplementary food, the children are occasionally given biscuits. Bathing soaps have been distributed just
once in the camps. The doctors do visit but patients are told that there is no medicine. There is no arrangement for pregnant women. The camp inmates sleep on plastic mats on the ground. They have to defecate in the open, which apart from being unhygienic also puts them
in danger. One inmate of Ji Udaygiri camp, we were told, was killed when he had gone to defecate.

3. Role of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal: The victims in all the relief camps unanimously told the fact finding team that it is the VHP and Bajrang Dal cadres who have sowed the seeds of communal division in the villages. They used to organize meetings of
the Kandha tribals and incite them to attack the Christian hamlets and also provided funds for doing this.

4. Role of the Police and Administration: The anti-Christian riots in Kandhamal started on the day of the bandh called by VHP after the murder of Swami Lakshmananad, and these riots continued for over a month. In the communal fire two hundred Christian villages and 127
Church and prayer halls were either destroyed or burnt. Apart from this, schools, hospitals, hostels and convents also have been damaged. The incidents of killings, rape and loot also were carried out in addition to former incidents. The shocking fact is that all these
incidents took place in full view of police and the police remained mute spectators.

The official figure for deaths has been reported to be 31, however, a senior government official on the condition of anonymity informed that he himself consigned two hundred dead bodies - found from the jungle - to flames after getting them collected in a tractor. As per his
estimates based on the intensity and pace of killings the number of those killed is over five hundred.

5. Atmosphere of Terror: The Christians continue to experience great terror. The Sangh outfits are campaigning for sending back the CRPF and the Nikhil Utkal Kui community is threatening to launch an armed movement. Riot-victims are frightened to go back to their villages
because they have been threatened that if they return they will be hacked into pieces. The rioters are also proclaiming that only Hindu converts will be allowed to return. On the other hand, those in charge of the relief camps are pressurizing the riot victims to return to
their villages saying that the life has returned to normalcy and peace has returned.

Conclusions:

1. This violence was a pre-planned anti-Christian communal assault, and in no way was it a 'clash' between adivasi (tribals) and dalits.

2. This violence which had full support from the Biju Janta Dal
Government was planned and executed by VHP and Bajrang Dal.

3. The Sangh's propaganda about 'indiscriminate religious conversion' is a far cry from facts, as the Christian population of Orissa is only 2.5 per cent of the total population. It is to be noted that Christian missionaries began working in Orissa 150 years back.

4. Dalits have far less proportion of land in comparison to the Kandha tribals. In Kandhamal 90 per cent land is government land, 5.5 percent belongs to tribals and rest 4.5 per cent belongs to Dalits, OBC and Oriya (businessmen). There is not much difference in the economic
conditions of the tribals and the dalits. The dalits are very slightly better off as they engage in small businesses.

Our Demands:

1. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal (BD) should be banned.

2. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik responsible for the violence should
tender his resignation immediately

3. The accused for the riots be immediately arrested.

4. The Orissa Govt. must reconstruct all houses, churches, schools, hostels, hospitals and other social-religious structures demolished during the violence and for other damages adequate compensation be granted after a proper survey

5. The relief camps be run for another six months and proper civic arrangements for food, medicine and sanitation be made in these camps.

6. Arrangements be made for registering First Information Reports (FIRs) related to the communal violence at all police stations.

7. Peace process be initiated and guarantees be made for reopening and running of schools, hospitals and other institutes run by the Christian missionaries.

Orissa Pogrom

United Protests: South Orissa Bandh by CPI (ML) and Other Parties Liberation, November, 2008.

On 13th October CPI (ML) Liberation along with four other parties – CPI (ML) New Democracy (ND), Communist Party of India (Marxist Leninist) [CPI (ML)], Socialist Unity Center of India (SUCI) and Samajwadi Jan Parishad held a successful bandh in five districts of South Orissa - Kandhamal, Rayagada, Gajapati, Koraput and Ganjam – against the carnage in Kandhamal, the complicity of the Navin Patnaik Government and the criminal inaction of the Congress-led UPA
Government at the Centre. The bandh was total in the five districts and marked by the spontaneous participation of people. Around 10, 000 people actively participated in Liberation's initiatives to make the bandh a success in Rayagada; 1200 in Gajapati.

Holding that the ruling BJD as well as Congress which is in power at the Centre too have blood on their hands because of their hands-off approach towards the Sangh Parivar mobs, the CPI (ML) had declined to join a joint protest announced by Communist Party of India (CPI) and
the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI (M)] with Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Congress party in the state.

In Bhubaneswar, trains were stopped and the National Highway blocked by 200 Liberation activists. Comrade Tirupati Gomango held a rally of around 8000 people at Gunupur. The bandh sent out a stern political message rejecting the communal violence against thousands of
Christians by the Sangh outfits and condemning the forces in power which are allowing the violence to take place unhindered.

CPI (ML) Liberation's Nation Wide Protests

On October 3, CPI (ML) held nation-wide protests demanding prosecution of Chief Ministers of Orissa and Karnataka for allowing saffron mobs to indulge in an anti-Christian pogrom; demanding a ban on the Sangh outfits guilty of communal violence and protesting against the UPA Government's refusal to take stern action against the communal
killers. A memorandum to the President of India was submitted from all over the country. The memorandum, raising all the above issues and demands, also noted that the Sangh's accusations of 'forced conversion' was actually serving to cover up their own acts of forcing
adivasis and Christians to convert to Hinduism. Conversion from Hinduism has largely been an act of rebellion by the oppressed castes against the caste-ridden Hindu fold, noted the memo, and "the current wave of violence is therefore also an attempt to terrorise the Dalits and other oppressed social groups for their rebellion – and is therefore acontinuation of social oppression in another form." The acts of humiliation of Christians that have come to light – raping,
parading naked, and forcing to eat excreta as 'purification' ritual – are all reminiscent of the atrocities against Dalits.

The party also noted the increasing incidents of communal violence in Dhule (Maharashtra) and Adilabad (Andhra Pradesh), in which the minority community bore the brunt of the attacks. Also, it condemned the Tarun Gogoi Government for allowing the Bodo-Muslim clashes to
take place, which had resulted in thousands of people being driven into refugee camps.

In Delhi, activists of CPI (ML) gathered at Parliament Street and burnt an effigy of Navin Patnaik and Yeddyurappa, and submitted a memorandum to the President.

In Karnataka, another major centre of the ongoing communal violence, protest demonstrations were held in various places in the state, and the memorandum to the President was sent through the tahsildars in the taluks. More than hundred people protested in front of taluk office at Harapanahalli. The demo evoked much expectation in the town as a
church near Harapanahalli was also attacked sometime back. Our comrades had helped in getting bail for the Christian priests, on whom false cases had been foisted in addition to the attack on their church. The demo at Gangavati was also impressive and demonstrators
shouted slogans against BJP that is coming out with its true colours after assuming power in the state. The demo at HD Kote near Mysore protestors included construction labourers and All India Central Coordination of Trade Unions (AICCTU) activists.

In Jharkhand, hundreds of people marched in the capital of Ranchi. The March against Communalism, in the Sainik Bazaar campus, was led by CPI (ML) General Secretary Comrade Dipankar. The March culminated in a mass meeting at Albert Ekka Chowk, addressed by many leaders. Protest processions, effigy burning, dharnas and mass meetings were also held
at various district headquarters (HQs) in Jharkhand; Bihar; Assam and Karbi Anglong; UP; W. Bengal, Tamilnadu, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, and Durg.

All India Progressive Womens Association (AIPWA) between 10-14 October, held protests and submitted a memorandum to the President of India demanding ban on the Sangh outfits Bajrang Dal and VHP responsible for assaults on Christians, and a Central Bureau of
Investigation (CBI) probe into the rape of a nun in Orissa.