Wednesday August 27, 2008, 7:01 pm
This is so disgusting. People like this are nothing but low life. And the police aren't going to do anything about it. Noted with anger. Thanks Naresh.

Wednesday August 27, 2008, 7:26 pm
Hindu-Christian Violence Kills 9 in India's Orissa State
By Anjana Pasricha
New Delhi
27 August 2008


In India's eastern Orissa State, spiraling violence between Hindus and Christians has killed at least nine people. From New Delhi, Anjana Pasricha reports on the religious tensions gripping the region.

Authorities issued shoot-at-sight orders and police staged marches Wednesday in Orissa's Kandhamal District, the region worst-hit by violence between Hindus and Christians.

Kandhamal is a primarily tribal area, where Christian missionaries have worked for decades. Almost 20 percent of the district's people are Christians.

The clashes erupted after the killing of a Hindu leader, Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, and four others on Saturday by unidentified armed men. The Hindu leader had been leading a drive to reconvert local residents from Christianity to Hinduism.

Since then, angry Hindu mobs have attacked and damaged churches, Christian homes and an orphanage. Some of the victims were burned to death, when rioters set fire to their homes.

Police say rival groups from both communities have attacked each other with axes, sticks and guns, despite a curfew. New clashes occurred Wednesday.

Home Minister Shivraj Patil says the federal government has asked state authorities to protect all communities.

"We asked them to take stern action to protect the properties, the churches, the life and limbs of people and properties and houses of other people also," said Patil.

Police say the Hindu leader was killed by local Maoist rebels. But Hindus blame Christians for his death. He belonged to a hard-line Hindu group called the World Hindu Council.

This is not the first time that tensions have run high between Hindus and Christians in Orissa. In 1999, a Hindu mob killed an Australian missionary and his two sons by setting fire to their car.

Hard-line Hindu groups accuse Christian missionaries of trying to convert illiterate tribal or Hindu villagers by alluring them with promises of free education and medical care, a charge denied by the missionaries.

Christian organizations in India have asked the government to end the violence. Christians make up about two percent of India's population, which is predominantly Hindu.

Thursday August 28, 2008, 5:55 pm
New Delhi, August 28
Top Christian leaders from the country today met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to apprise him of the ground situation in Kandhmal, where Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal workers continue to lead attacks against Christians and their institutions. The leaders sought the Prime Minister to enact a law against communalism, on the lines of anti-terror laws, wherein perpetrators are made to compensate the victims for losses suffered.

Earlier in the day, the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) called all Christian organisations to observe a total bandh tomorrow as a mark of solidarity for the victims of Kandhmal violence. At 10 am, the Christians of the capital will start a peace rally to Orissa Bhavan. About 50,000 Christian institutions will remain shut tomorrow.

The meeting with Manmohan Singh, Christian leaders said, was satisfactory, with the Prime Minister responding sympathetically to their demands. The Prime Minister reportedly termed the attacks shameful and offered relief to the affected families from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. He is also learnt to have told the delegation that the Centre would do whatever it can to stop violence and deploy more force if needed. “He said he would immediately speak to the Chief Minister and the Governor,” Babu Joseph, spokesperson, CBCI told The Tribune after a 20-minute long meeting. The delegation was led by Raphaeal Cheenath, Archbishop, Cuttack-Bhubaneshwar and Vincent Concessao, Archbishop of Delhi. It further demanded a CBI enquiry into the events that led to the killing of the VHP leader Swami Laxmananad Saraswati and four of his disciples last week inside Jalaspeta ashram in the district.

“A probe is important to belie the allegations being hurled at Christians in the district. We also requested the Prime Minister to expedite the tracking down of assailants,” Joseph said, adding he favoured Army deployment in the area and even the declaration of President’s rule to ensure safety of people.

The Christian leaders, who also attended the dharna outside the Sacred Heart Cathedral here, earlier likened the situation in Kandhmal to “ethnic cleansing”. “It is the worst attack on Christians who have routinely been persecuted in Kandhmal,” Joseph said.

The last such attack happened around Christmas in 2007, when estimated damages were about Rs 3.5 crore. “The compensation given by the state government was only Rs 16 lakh, that too was meant to be shared by institutions damaged at eight locations,” Archbishop Cheenath told The Tribune today, adding that there was no possibility of a dialogue in Kandhmal as the majority was baying for the minority’s blood. He also said there was a need to investigate cases of cow slaughter in the area. “Such cases have always led to attack on the church,” he said.

Blaming the state government for lack of political will to contain the crisis, the Christian leaders said the political parties should help bridging the majority-minority divide. Archbishop Cheenath further explained that the Christians formed just 1.5 per cent of the population of Kandhmal, which is six lakh. “From 2 per cent in 1971, the percentage of traders has gone up to 18 per cent. Most of them are Christians,” Archbishop Cheenath said. As for the home ministry, it was silent on the issue today.

Meanwhile, John Dayal, member, National Integration Council, today urged UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi to prevent ‘ethnic cleansing’ of Christians in Orissa. Slamming the state government for failure in protecting the Christians from the RSS and the VHP for the second consecutive year, Dayal, in a letter to Gandhi, requested the Centre to step in and make the state wake up to its constitutional obligations

Thursday August 28, 2008, 5:56 pm
Italy to call Indian envoy over attacks

Rome, August 28
Italy’s foreign ministry will summon India’s ambassador to demand “incisive action” to prevent further attacks against Christians that have left 11 people dead in India so far, the government said today. A statement issued after a Cabinet meeting also said Italy would ask France, the current EU President, to take up the issue of attacks against Christians at a future meeting of foreign ministers. — Reuters

NCM says state negligent

National Commission for Minorities (NCM), which sought the home minister to deploy additional forces in Kandhmal if needed, today said it was keeping a close vigil on the situation. Chairperson Mohd Shafi Qureishi told The Tribune that the state government had not been cautions enough. “They have been negligent. They should have ensured protection for Swamiji. They knew the situation could precipitate any time,” Qureishi said.

Friday August 29, 2008, 8:42 am
“As long as people believe in absurdities, they will continue to commit atrocities.”
- Voltaire

“Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious convictions.”
- Blaise Pascal

"We have enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another."
- Jonathan Swift

Friday August 29, 2008, 7:01 pm
Orissa Violence
Christians take to streets
Aditi Tandon
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 29
Christians across India today took to streets to protest violent persecution of the community by communal forces in Orissa. Unofficial estimates suggest that over 30 Christians lost their lives in the well-organised attacks led by the Sangh Parivar and its outfits, following Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s (VHP) vice-president Swami Lakshmananda Saraswati's killing.

Angered over the "ethnic cleansing" of Christians, the community today mounted a powerful yet peaceful protest across India; close to 4,500 Christian schools and educational establishments remained closed on the call of Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI). In the capital, St Stephens and Jesus and Mary colleges, Columbus, Mount Carmel and Don Bosco schools were among those shut

Protest rallies were organised in all states, the biggest witnessed in the capital, where more than 2,000 Christians from 30 churches marched to Orissa Bhavan to condemn the state government for its inability to protect minorities.

Led by Church dignitaries Archbishop Raphael Cheenath of Cuttack-Bhubanshwar and Archbishop Vincent Concessao of Delhi and Kerala MP P.C. Thomas, the Christians intellectuals, students and teachers sought imposition of President’s Rule in Orissa, immediate suspension of home secretary, and the DGP, and Army deployment.

In the memorandum submitted to Orissa Governor Murlidhar Chandrakant Bhandare, at the end of two-hour dharna, Christians leaders said: “We submit this request to you and not to Orissa Chief Minister because we believe that by not stopping the ethnic cleansing of Christians in Orissa in the last six days, he had abdicated his constitutional duties to the Sangh Parivar, and forfeited his right to be in the government. We ask for President’s Rule in the state.” A strong reference was made to international general secretary of the VHP Praveen Togaadia’s open call of ridding Orissa of Christians.

As for the protest, it was more like a prayer meeting, seeking protection for “the Christians who were being chased and hunted like animals”. Referring to the Prime Minister who yesterday called the Orissa violence a national shame, protest leaders said the state government had failed on three occasions - first, in not protecting the Christians in December last when a similar communal conflagration had
been witnessed in Kandhmal; in not protecting the slain VHP leader despite reports of risk to his life; and now in again failing to secure Christians who were fleeing by the thousands.

“There is no doubt as to who is the perpetrator of violence in Orissa. It is the Sangh Parivar and its outfits, the RSS, the VHP, the Bajrang Dal and the Vanvasi Kalyan Sangh,” the leaders said, finding support of eminent citizens who joined the protest including Justice Kulse Patil (retd), Shabnam Azami, director, ANHAD, Udit Raj, a Dalit leader and Teesta Seetalvad. In Mumbai, filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt and activist Tushar Gandhi were among the participants in the Azad Maidan rally.

Christians in all states also submitted memorandums to their respective Governors, appealing for peace and justice. In the capital, the march was led by Archbishop Raphael of Cuttack, the man who has witnessed the gory persecution of Christians in Orissa for the past many decades.

Dehra Dun: Christian institutions in and around Dehra Dun and Mussoorie observed a complete closure.

Prominent missionary education institutions like the Convent of Jesus and Mary, St. Joseph Academy and St. Thomas observed a complete closure expressing solidarity with the Kandhamal riot victims.

Condemning violence against the Christian community members, Bishop J.P. Singh, an office bearer of Uttaranchal Council of Churches, sought intervention of Centre in Orissa to save Christian community members from attack of fundamentalists.

Meanwhile, as further course of action, members of the Christian community have decided to hold a peace march in Dehra Dun on September 2 followed by peace prayers at St. Francis Church.

Friday August 29, 2008, 7:02 pm
Centre wants CBI probe
Tribune News service

New Delhi, August 29
The Congress today “condemned Orissa Chief Minister Navin Patnaik for his inability in containing communal violence in Orissa” and endorsed the demand for a CBI probe into the role of the Bajrang Dal and the VHP in the incidents. During a Cabinet briefing earlier in the day, Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal had said the Centre favoured a CBI probe into the Orissa violence.

AICC spokesman Shakeel Ahmed said there were reports about involvement of the VHP and the Bajrang Dal in arson, loot and murder in Orissa, adding that demands for the CBI probe were coming in from several sections of the society as people had faith in the investigating agency.

He also came down heavily on the Patnaik government for its “inability to take firm action due to pressure from the BJP.” During the Cabinet briefing, Sibal said the government would like the matter to be handed over to the CBI because those responsible should get justice immediately as judicial probe takes longer time.

Friday August 29, 2008, 7:12 pm
Christians under attack, why?
Orissa killings must stop

The communal madness that the VHP goons started in Orissa on Monday continues in many areas like Kandhamal district. It was unpardonable on Day 1; it is inexcusable after all these days. The blame squarely lies at the door of the Naveen Patnaik government, which is not handling the situation with the ruthlessness that it deserves. Since the BJP — a member of the Sangh Parivar — is a partner in government, this is bound to be seen as more than simple apathy. Right now, the peace has returned only in curfew-bound areas. That shows that if the security forces step in firmly, the rampaging criminals who are targeting Christian majority villages can be caught and punished. The message must go loud and clear to all of them that the government would not bear this nonsense even for a second. If need be, the help of the Army and para-military forces should be sought forthwith.

It cannot be imagined that the Sangh parivar does not understand the magnitude of the damage that this frenzy is causing to society and the country. But all of them are keeping silent, as if the communal violence has their tacit approval. All the more unpardonable is the silence of men like BJP chief Rajnath Singh and the party’s prime ministerial candidate L. K. Advani. Their record during the Babri demolition and Gujarat riots has been equally questionable and divisive. It is high time they decided once for all whether they were leaders of the people or of Hindu zealots only.

The Centre should also not look the other way. What happens in Orissa is a state matter only as long as it does not militate against national values and ethos. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has himself described the inhumanity as a “shame on the nation”. His government should not be a silent spectator to this naked, shameful orgy of violence. It is an attack on Christians, Indian society and the entire country which must protect all citizens, irrespective of religion, caste or creed. Messrs Advani and Rajnath Singh must make it clear where they stand on this issue. It does no honour to the country that Christians all over the land have to protest for safety.

Friday August 29, 2008, 7:14 pm
HC: Provide forces for Kandhamal

Cuttak, August 29
The Orissa High Court on Friday directed the Centre to provide the adequate central para-military force as and when required by the state government to contain the violence in the riot-hit Kandhamal and other places in the state.

A Division Bench of the Court, comprising Chief Justice B S Chouhan and Justice B N Mohapatra, also issued notices to both the Centre and the state government to clarify their stand on the demand for a CBI probe into the violence.

The Utkal Christian Council (UCC) had moved a writ petition before the Orissa High Court, seeking a CBI probe into the killing of VHP leader Swami Laxmananand Saraswati and the subsequent violence in the state.

The UCC also prayed that the ''Orissa Bandh,'' called by the VHP and other organisations and supported by the ruling BJP on August 25, be declared illegal.

The petitioner urged the Court to direct the state government to rescue the
people, who had fled to the forest in the wake of violence in Kandhamal, and
rehabilitate them.

It also demanded deployment of the Army and Central paramilitary forces in Kandhamal to protect the lives of the people and urged the Court to direct the state government to provide adequate compensation to the victims and repair the houses and churches damaged in the arson and violence.

The Bench directed the state government, the director general of police and the district collectors of nine affected districts to file their affidavits within four weeks.

The court further directed the state government to request the Centre its requirement of force to be deployed in the affected areas to contain the law and order situation. — UNI

Friday August 29, 2008, 7:16 pm
Orissa violence a national shame: PM
Anita Katyal
Our Political Correspondent

New Delhi, August 29
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is learnt to have done some tough talking with Orissa chief minister Naveen Patnaik over his handling of the recent incidents of communal violence in the state even as the issue cropped up in the Union Cabinet meeting today.

The PM had called up Patnaik last night after a delegation of Catholic Bishops Conference of India along with Archbishop of Delhi met him to apprise him of the situation in Orissa. The PM described the Orissa violence as a “national shame” in this meeting.

UPA sources said the Prime Minister was upset with Patnaik for not dealing firmly with the situation and allowing it to slip out of control.

He is learnt to have ticked off Patnaik for not visiting the violence-scarred Kandhamal district and reassuring the villagers who were forced abandon their homes and seek shelter in the nearby forests.

Stating that the Chief Minister should be seen to be acting firmly, the Prime Minister also advised him to provide immediate relief to the affected people.

The Centre, Singh said, is at hand to provide all possible assistance required by the state government.

The Orissa situation figured at today’s Union Cabinet meeting when several ministers expressed concern over the spate of communal violence witnessed in the state.

Worried that the BJP and Sangh Parivar’s strategy to create a communal divide could have repercussions outside the state, they wanted to know how the Centre proposed to handle the situation.

Home minister Shivraj Patil, it is learnt, explained that minister of state for home affairs Sriprakash Jaiswal had already visited Orissa and the Centre had rushed additional forces to the state following a request from the Chief Minister.

Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Orissa government over incidents of communal violence in the state.

The notices have been issued to the chief secretary and DGP of Orissa, who have been asked to “submit a detailed report of the violence in the state since the killing of religious leader Laxmanananda Saraswati and four others,” an official spokesperson said. The Commission wants the report within two weeks, he said.

As many as twelve persons have been killed in the communal clashes and although there was no fresh outbreak of violence today, the situation continued to be tense.

Friday August 29, 2008, 7:17 pm
Orissa Violence
Cong for CBI probe into VHP, Bajrang role
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 29
The Congress on Friday "condemned Orissa Chief Minister Navin Patnaik for his inability in containing communal violence in Orissa" and endorsed the demand for a CBI probe into the role of Bajrang Dal and VHP in the incidents.

During a Cabinet briefing earlier in the day, Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal had said that the Centre favoured a CBI probe into the Orissa violence.

AICC spokesman Shakeel Ahmed said there were reports about involvement of VHP and Bajrang Dal in arson, loot and murder in Orissa, adding that demands for the CBI probe were coming in from several sections of the society as people had faith in the investigating agency.

"Role of VHP and Bajrang Dal in Orissa is very serious. According to media reports, they are involved from Ground Zero, ” Ahmed said, stressing that the necessity of probing activities of these organisations was a serious issue.

He hoped that the Centre and the state would take notice of reports on their role in such incidents.

He also came down heavily on the Patnaik government for its “inability to take firm action due to pressure from the BJP."

During the Cabinet briefing, Sibal said that the government would like the matter to be handed over to the CBI because those responsible should get justice immediately as judicial probe takes longer time.

Responding to whether the Orissa violence had come up for discussion at the Cabinet meeting, he, however, added that it was for the state government to recommend a probe by the CBI as the Centre could not do it on its own.

He said the Prime Minister had spoken to Orissa Chief Minister and the Governor had assured the state government that the Centre would give whatever help needed to bring back normalcy.

However, when asked whether Bajrang Dal would be banned as its activists were caught making bombs, he parried a direct reply saying it was a very serious situation and communal elements were responsible for it.

Meanwhile, Ahmed said that proposed talks with the Amarnath Sangarsh Samiti had been postponed just by a day due to the indisposition of the Governor's aide and not that there was a deliberate move on the part of the administration, as alleged by the BJP.

Saturday August 30, 2008, 12:00 pm
Noted with disgust Naresh, I am always amazed when religious people find it necessary to harm others, in the name of who?....

Namaste

Saturday August 30, 2008, 6:54 pm
Attacks on Christians
CPM for action against Bajrang Dal
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 30
The CPM has called upon the Centre to “take cognisance of terroristic activities of the Bajrang Dal and take a strong action.”

A CPM delegation led by the party’s Polit Bureau and a Rajya Sabha member Brinda Karat visited Orissa to conduct an on-the-spot study of situation following a large-scale attacks by Bajrang Dal men on Christian tribals as a fallout of murder of VHP’s Swami Lakshmanananda. It has asked the Centre to play “a proactive role to ensure that violence is stopped and that appropriate measures are taken.”

Addressing mediapersons here today after the visit, Brinda said, “Since many of the areas are under Schedule 5 of the Constitution, the Centre has an added responsiblity,” implying the Centre’s commitment to protect the tribal population in Orissa directly affected by the violence.

She also said, “We have stated that enough evidence is available to prove the Bajrang Dal’s involvement in making and exploding bombs and indulging in other terrorist activities and this has also been established by the Anti-Terrorist Squad of Maharashtra. After this it is for the government to take an appropriate action against the Bajrang Dal.”

The CPM is preparing a report on Orissa, which Brinda said would be handed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

She regretted that the state administration is not allowing peace missions to enter the affected regions whereas the Bajrang Dal and VHP general secretary Praveen Togadiya were allowed a free run of 200 km to spread a campaign against Christians.