Catholic bishops from the persecution ravaged state of Orissa warned this week that Hindu extremists have a “master plan” to wipe out Christianity in the remote eastern Indian state.
In a letter to the state’s chief minister, Naveen Patnaik, the Indian bishops conveyed their concerns about the mass “exodus of Christians” from Kandhamal District and addressed the “considerable reduction” of refugees in relief camps, according to Catholic News Agency.
The bishops denied that the Christian refugees were leaving the camps to safely return to their homes. Most, they reported, are moving to relief camps in other areas such as in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Jhanla, Berhampur, or have moved into rented houses, homes of relatives, friends or acquaintances.
“It is estimated that 10,000 to 15,000 Christians of Kandhamal district are living outside the district,” the bishops wrote in the letter to the minister.
And while displaced Indian Christians want to return to their villages, they still fear being attacked on their way back or in the village themselves, the bishops added.
Another factor hindering the people’s return are reports of forced conversions. The bishops noted that details of forced conversions are taking place where Christians are pressured to choose to “accept Hindu Samskaras under oath and under pain of divine punishment.”
They are also forced to convert to Hinduism or forfeit the harvesting of their field. One man was even denied burial in his village because he was not a Hindu, the letter highlighted.
Another issue troubling the bishops is the fact that most of those who brutally attacked the Christians have not been brought to justice.
The state government have not arrested or brought the criminals to court, the bishops complained. Also, the government has not fulfilled their promises to allot land and money to the now homeless Christians.
Some 50,000 Christians have been displaced during the more than two months-long anti-Christian violence in Orissa. About 30,000 of the people are said to be living in refugee camps where the living condition is poor.
Christians and human rights activists in India and abroad have condemned the government for turning a blind eye to the violence that has gone on unabated since August and has even spread to several other Indian states.
Indian bishops in the letter contested allegations that the attacks are an ethnic conflict.
“Hindu Fundamentalist groups have been trying to name the communal violence as an Ethnic Conflict between the Tribals and the Pano Christians. A cursory look at facts reveals that this conflict is a calculated and pre-planned master plan to wipe out Christianity from Kandhamal district, Orissa, in order to realize the hidden agenda of Sangh Parivar of establishing a Hindu Nation,” they argued.
The bishop did, however, applaud the Orissa government’s decision to establish a Fast Track Court at Kandhamal to accelerate the trials of cases involving attacks against Christians.
The bishops requested to the Orissa minister that the judge of the court be of a religion other than Hindu or Christian to ensure fairness.
In addition to the request, the clergy also asked for the national police to remain in Kandhamal until after the parliamentary and assembly in Orissa, and for churches to be rebuilt or repaired by the first week of December in time for Christmas. “This will also help confidence building among the congregations and bury the past quietly as they approach Christmas 2008,” their letter concluded.
The letter was signed by Raphael Cheenath, Archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar; Bishop of Balasore Thomas Thiruthalil; and Bishop of Berhampur Sarat Nayak.
Similarly, an ecumenical group of U.S. Christian leaders wrote a letter this week to President Bush appealing for a stronger American response to the attacks on Indian Christians.
“You should insist, in the strongest terms, that these reprehensible groups and the assenting local government agencies be brought into conformity with India's rule of law," the letter signed by 24 Catholic, Orthodox, mainline Protestant and evangelical leaders read.
The American Christian leaders also used a similar description to the Indian Catholic bishops to describe what is taking place in India – calling it “religious cleansing.”
RSS
Ethnic Cleansing (GENOCIDE) will occur in India shortly. The BJP in lieu with the Vishwa Hindi Parishad and their terrorist arm , the Bajrang Dal have devised a master plan for extermination of Christians in INDIA. They have been running a census and obtaining records from the Ration Card Scheme to identify Christian families and exterminate them. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad operates freely in the US, Australia, Canada, UK and so the Christians in these countries are afraid to confront them.
paul1149 says:" When I was growing up, I was taught that Hinduism was a very peaceful, otherworldly religion. What has been occurring in India for over a decade puts the lie to that notion"
Its not a Lie paul. its true Hinduism is a peace loving, religion that searching GoD. but the Hindu Fundamentalists like in any other religion are spreading violence in thier thought, word and actions. they are not spritual people; but people who use the name Hindu, for thier illegal, unsocial, cheep political activities.
"Meanwhile, every true Hindu can also realise that responding to the gospel is not a contradiction to the Hindu search for truth because Jesus is the fulfilment of god, of seekers of the Truth right from ancient Vedic times:
Asatoma sat gamaya ( it is a verse from hindu scriptures which means...Bring me from the unreal to the truth). Jesus says, â
I thank the Reporter Mr Michelle for giving the updated details regarding orissa violences. I am from India, thanking the catholic community authorities who give real care, and taking timley decisions and actions to support the affected poor christians. friends,What we most need is prayer. but dont stop only with that. Ask the Govt of India... Why? . it is your Duty in Chirst centred Life. Jesus asked Why you Beat? paul Asked? similarly we asking Now.
Its a timly need that international communities to urge thier political representatives, UNO to ASK the Indian Govt... "Why these violence against Christians?"
Hope you may understand my feelings.
peace be withu U
When I was growing up, I was taught that Hinduism was a very peaceful, otherworldly religion. What has been occurring in India for over a decade puts the lie to that notion. Man will conform anything to his own twisted image. But now the truth is out for all to see, and against this blackness the light of the Gospel can shine out of the persecuted Christians. We need to pray that their witness will be clear, and for their protection.
John 15:20
Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.
That would be a challenge Tallguy; lets lift these believers in India in prayer and also pray that the Lord would change the hearts of their persecutors . . .
We both have a heart for Christ, let's join a mission team, get over there and help out. Now that would be a real challange!
(Let's get over there Online...)
What do you mean? Can you elaborate ...
Let's get over there Online...
It is beyond BELIEF how the Indian government can stand for ANY of this! These brutal savages are as bad as the Nazi's. I pray that the Indian Christian's will be given the justice that they deserve
2 Corinthians 4:9
persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
Christianity cannot be wiped out.
But it is in God's authority to open and close doors.
We always need to be obediant when God says to stay or move on. Israel has followed this many times.