By IANS,
Bhubaneswar : A Hindu group Friday announced it would hold a massive rally in the state capital Nov 15 to protest the state government’s alleged inaction in nabbing the killers of Hindu leaders in the Kandhamal district.
The district of Kandhamal, some 200 km from Bhubaneswar, witnessed communal violence after the murder of Hindu leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his aides Aug 23.
The rally to be organised by Swami Laxmananda Saraswati Sradhanjali Samiti is expected to be attended by over 500,000 people, Samiti coordinator Ratnakar Chaini said Friday.
“The rally would serve as an ultimatum to the state government to nab the culprits behind Swamiji’s killing,” Chaini said.
Sadhvi Ritambhara, Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram national president Jagdeo Ram Oram, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) central committee senior member Indresh Kumar Mahanta, Ramvilash Vedanti of Ram Janmabhoomi Movement, national president of Hindu Jagaran Samukhya Harihar Nanda and several other leaders would attend the rally, Chaini said.
The Samiti alleged that the state government is adopting double standards in dealing with the Kandhamal crisis and illegally arresting innocent Hindus.
“Acting on unconfirmed allegations of a 29-year-old Catholic nun, the Orissa government made all-out efforts to nab the culprits while the same crime branch, looking into the murder of Swamiji, is yet to submit its chargesheet,” Chaini said.
While the police blamed the Maoists for the murder of Saraswati and his aides, the Hindu groups blamed Christians for the murder, despite repeated denials by Christian organisations, and attacked them.
Over 23,000 Christians were forced to flee their homes. While some have returned, more than 10,000 are still living in government-run relief camps in the district.
The murder of 40-year-old Dhanu Pradhani, an activist of the RSS by suspected Maoists on Nov 5, has now renewed tension in the region.