Christians in India’s Orissa state who were victims of the recent wave of communal violence are now being told to “covert or die” by Hindu extremists.
The ultimatum issued by the Hindu extremists has forced some Christians to abandon their religion altogether, according to the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), a Bangalore-based Christian advocacy group.
"I am forced to convert to Hinduism whether I like or dislike; I cannot say further and my life is in danger," Promond Digal, 32, from the violence-hit Kandhamal district, told GCIC.
A clash over a decorative arch for the Christmas celebrations on December 24 led to large-scale communal violence and attacks against churches throughout the district. Four people were confirmed dead while, 95 churches and 730 houses were burnt down or destroyed after several days of violence, according to the All India Christian Council (AICC).
Earlier this month, a fact-finding team from the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) of India accused Hindu fundamentalists of perpetrating “organised and pre-planned attacks” against the Christian community.
The commission pointed to the possible involvement of organisations including Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Coucil), Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (National Volunteers’ Organization or RSS) and their affiliates.
AICC and GCIC, on the other hand, have openly accused the Hindu organisations of being responsible for the attacks on Christians.
Furthermore, although the anti-Christian violence has apparently subsided, ”fundamentalists are going to individual families with guns and threatening them to become Hindus," GCIC said.
Christians who have converted to Hinduism expressed their helplessness about changing their religion.
