Suffering of Orissa's Christians Presented to National Human Rights in India

[JM]

Massive violence against Christians in the Indian state of Orissa began on Christmas Eve. As of Dec. 30, 2007, the All India Christian Council (AICC) had collected reports of 65 churches burned down, 600 Christian homes destroyed, hundreds of Christians forced to flee into forests to save their lives, and thousands homeless. Despite promises by state and central government leaders during meetings with AICC leaders, the violence continued for at least six days.

The violence allegedly began when Christians in a village 150 kms from Phulbani, the headquarters of Kandhamal district, began to celebrate Christmas Eve. Local Hindu fundamentalists opposed the event and a fight ensued. Also, a Hindu extremist leader, Swami Saraswati, was attacked near Daringbadi while he was traveling. He blamed Christians for the assault; the next day the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), a Hindu extremist group, called for a strike and its members began attacking Christians across the sta te.

"Our leaders in Orissa and media reports both indicate that attacks on Christians were not spontaneous but preplanned by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and other Hindutva groups. Also, the state government misled the people of India by making repeated statements that the situation was under control. It is tragic. Orissa burned while politicians talked," said Dr. Joseph D'souza, President of the AICC and International President of the Dalit Freedom Network. "It seems that most attacks have ceased and now it's time for all parties and all authorities to help the innocent victims," said D'souza.

Dr. Udit Raj, National Chairman of the All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations and a Buddhist, said, "Hindutva leaders say the violence is a response to conversions by Christian missionaries. But this is a lie. Christian missionaries are targeted by Hindutva and upper caste forces because Christians truly provide education and social upliftment services to Dalits and Tribals in rural Orissa."

An AICC fact-finding team headed by John Dayal, AICC Secretary-General and Member of the National Integration Council, tried to reach the hardest hit areas over the weekend. On the evening of Dec. 29, 2007, Inspector General of Police Pradeep Kapoor turned away the team while they were passing through the town of Phulbani. Efforts by another Christian delegation to visit Baminigaon on Dec. 30, 2007, called the epicentre of the trouble, were unsuccessful as well due to police curfews.

John Dayal, AICC Secretary-General and member of the National Integration Council, said, "First-hand accounts of the violence in the Kandhamal district are needed because rumors, absence of authentic media reports, and often inaccurate government accounts of the casualties have left people confused. Our fact finding is an important part of building long term peace and harmony and to ensure proper relief, compensation, and rehabilitation." Since the violence erupted, the AICC has been documenting the viol ence and urging the government to act.

A key partner in India to the Dalit Freedom Network, the All India Christian Council (Welcome to www.indianchristians.in) was birthed in 1998 and exists to protect and serve the Christian community, minorities, and the oppressed castes. The AICC is a coalition of thousands of Indian denominations, organizations, and lay leaders