Orissa violence 'worst ever in India's history'
by Dibin Samuel, Christian Today India Correspondent
Posted: Sunday, January 13, 2008, 9:21 (GMT)
Violence against Christians in the eastern India state of Orissa is the worst ever to occur, claims a report from the All India Christian Council (AICC).
Two reports published by the AICC asserts, Dalits - formerly known as 'Untouchables' - were the main group to be affected by the violence.
AICC sent four of their leaders to the area on a fact-finding mission and says more than 95 churches were either vandalised or destroyed, 730 homes belonging to Christians being burned down.
The team revealed that the VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) instigated the attacks and carefully targeted Christians throughout Kandhamal District, Orissa
"We are saddened to acknowledge the violence in Orissa will go into the history books as an unprecedented attack on Christians in India. The tragedy is deepened by proof that the violence was avoidable if the authorities had enforced the rule of law," said Dr Joseph D'souza, AICC President.
"Many have expressed outrage with the authorities and Hindutva extremists whose actions hurt innocent people during Christmas - a season of peace across the world.
"But we must express our anger and frustration in a peaceful manner," said D'souza.
National church bodies in India have demanded access to the troubled Kandhamal region of Orissa state to distribute relief and visit the families affected.
Copyright © 2008 Christian Today. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Have your say on this article
The comments below are readers' personal opinions and are in no way intended to reflect the editorial opinion of Christian Today.
Added: Sunday, November 16, 2008, 17:57 (GMT)
Hindu terrorism formed by our national Father Mathma Gandhi murder itself.
In name of Hindu, they confused all the people india and world in the names of hindu,hinduism,hindutva,India. But the terrorist belong to Braminical Supermy and establish the hindu rastsdsravad,Aryan Country by the way Terrorism or cleansing the country ie.kill the All Christians,Muslims,political opponents and majority hindu community who does not follow the Manu Dharma Sastra and Sanskrit language as an Gods Language and National Language. Aryans,the Bramin Supermecy, are not having or living in the own country and they not having any mother tongue. so they want to establish the Aganda hindu Rastravad or Aryan Country in Indian Sub Continent. So they followed the Hitler's Nazism and Musolini Fascism and addopted their aims in their agenda. Hitler brutlay killed Jews and Slavs in the name purity of race(Aryan). So the same want to kill the Christians,Muslims,Political opponents and those(Hindus) who are not followed the Manu Dharma (Caste Dividing Policy) in the name Of cleansing(Safia). They(Bramins)wants rule over the counry according to Manu Dharma,Vedas by Sanskrit is official language.These People called himself Hindu Terrorist and joint with Isreal terrorist Meir Kahane's Groups.
and operated the Many Website From U.S.A.. They florished in many original or fictious names in India and usa and uk. and Huge fund collected from usa and u.k. for cultural and development by IDRF. please Stop the fund frandlent fund collection in usa and uk.transfer india for violent activities to Hindtuva group/Hindu Terrorist Groups. we want peace in India and save the seclarism. This Religious Fanatics only killed the Orrisa,Karnataka,Mumbai,Gujrath,Rajasthan and some political dominated by these groups,like V.H.P-U.K,VHP-U.S.A,HSS-UK,SEWA INTERNATIONAL, SEVA BHARATHI, BAJRANGDAL,ARMY OF SHIVAJI, ETC.
E.Muthezhilan, chennai, india
Added: Friday, September 12, 2008, 15:47 (BST)
I have been to India and first hand observed the conversion of many of those who are still known unofficially as the Untouchables. I have never seen anyone there or anywhere else for that matter who has been forced to become a Christian. If anyone is doing such a thing then it is not true Christianity. God does not force or bargain to gain allegiance. Only religion inspired by the devil would do that.
The Bible teaches that God reasons with people, He invites and pleads with people and shows them through His dealings with mankind that His purposes only are from the love He has for this race. His purpose is the salvation of all who will believe and follow Him. Many of the so called, Untouchables, find the gospel very appealing because it gives them hope that is not found in Hinduism. In spite of the official stance of the government, they are still treated as untouchables.
Not everyone calling themself Christian truly follows Christ. I don’t know who started this ungodly rampage in Orissa State but supposedly someone killed a Swami and this started it. Christians are forbidden to murder. So whoever killed the Swami was not a Christian but someone who wanted to do away with Christians and place blame upon them.
Christianity is not new to India.. Thomas, an apostle of Christ brought Christianity to India almost 2000 years ago and there has been a Christian presence in India ever since then.
Until recently Christians have been almost unnoticed because of their comparatively few numbers in a population that exceeds one billion people. In the last 15 to 20 years, there has been an increase in Christian numbers as thousands in india have given their hearts to Jesus Christ. One wonders why this should be a problem in a land that has thousands of gods. One more shouldn’t make much difference, should it? The problem is in the nature of the gods. The God of the Universe has one major purpose and that is to rescue all who will be rescued from the god’s of this world. When these other gods see they are losing subjects from their kingdom they take a action and impose violence and force upon those who have made their decision to follow Christ.
True Christians all over the world are praying for their brothers and sisters in Orissa State in India. Of course we are dismayed at the carnage that is taking place, but are we discouraged, No! As final as it seems, to the unconverted mind, in God’s plan the blood of martyrs is seed. That which Satan intends to settle the issue will only cause God’s kingdom to grow. History is paved with this precedent. The Hindu mob is only proving who controls them by their actions. Death, to one who has God’s Holy Spirit reigning in his heart, is only a short rest until soon, raised to new eternal life, He greets Jesus coming in the clouds of heaven to separate those who have accepted the invitation from those who would rather be rulled by lying demons.
Richard Story, Valley Center, KS-USA
Added: Thursday, September 11, 2008, 12:57 (BST)
Feed the hungry, care for the sick, teach others. These are all Christian teachings. I am not surprised at the persecution of the Believers in Orissa. Christ Himself said that because they (the world) hates Him, they (the world) will hate us. Christ also said that when we are persecuted for His name's sake that we should count it all joy for our reward is great in Heaven.
anonymous, USA
Added: Sunday, August 31, 2008, 12:13 (BST)
The services being done by the Church in Orissa are similar to ISI or Wahabi operations. They infiltrate into the tribal areas, offer inducements to the innocent tribals, indoctrinate them, convert them and make them work for the Church – read Vatican. They run schools and ‘orphanages’ to catch them young. There is no altruism involved; it is all only proselytization zeal. However, being ‘secular’, we have to be blind to reality.
The priests and nuns from South India consider assignments in Orissa and Bihar as plum postings because of the funds involved. They send lakhs of Rupees home every month, presumably from Church funds.
The militant activities in the North East and in Orissa are all Christianity-oriented.
This is all very Un-Christiam!
JOB XAVIER, New Delhi, India
