Violence on Christians in Orissa condemned

By TwoCircles.net staff reporter

Mumbai : Forced by the unchecked violent attacks at Christians and their churches in Orissa, the Christian community has taken to street to draw attention of the secular world to the dangerous phenomenon.


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On 30th January, the day when the nation celebrated 60th death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, messiah of non-violence, the Bombay Catholic Sabha organized a candle light vigil Satyagraha to protest violence against Christians in Orissa.

Addressing the protesters, Bishop Bosco Penha, Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay, said “Christians are victimized and the government should act immediately.” More than one thousand activists came from all over Mumbai to attend the vigil. The speakers condemned the brutal attacks on their community members on Christmas eve in Kanhamal district of Orissa. Given unhindered violence against the community, it seems the law and order machinery there has collapsed.

Meanwhile, a memorandum has been submitted to the National Human Rights Commission by Archbishop Vincent Concessao of Delhi, Dr. John Dayal, President of the All India Catholic Union, Dr. Joseph Desouza, and other Christian leaders. The memorandum says at least nine people have been killed and 90 churches burned in the violence. Besides, about 600 houses have been burned or vandalized.

The National Minority Commission, after visiting some of the violence sites in Orissa, has prepared a report, stating that the attacks on Christians in Kanhamal district there in December were preplanned and the state Government was negligent in controlling the violence.

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