Unlike 2007, Christians in Orissa, India, might be fortunate to celebrate Christmas this year, after Home Minister P. Chidambaram assured them that the Center would ensure their safety.
Chidambaram assured this on Wednesday when a delegation led by Delhi Archbishop Vincent M. Concessao met him to inform him about Christians fearing attacks during Christmas.
"We apprised the Home Minister of our very strong apprehension that the celebrations will be targeted by unruly elements as it happened last time," Babu Joseph, spokesperson for Catholic Bishop Conference of India (CBCI), told Press Trust of India.
Concerns were raised after Hindu extremists called for a statewide bandh, a form of protest or strike that shuts down the entire society, on Dec. 25, which could trigger more attacks against the Christian community.
The Home Minister, according to Joseph, has detailed and ordered the Orissa government to ensure safety to the Christian community.
The recently appointed politician reminded the state authorities of their duty to protect the people, recalling that advisories in the past have also been sent to Orissa.
Orissa has been in turmoil after violence broke out with the assassination of Swami Laxmananda Saraswati, a local Hindu leader, on August 23. Following the murder, Hindu mobs ignored Maoists' claim of responsibility and accused Christians, killing over 110 – as some reports have indicated – and forcing thousands to flee to forests.
Christian leaders and rights groups have accused the state of government of inaction.
RSS
//Unlike 2007, Christians in Orissa, India, might be fortunate to celebrate Christmas this year, after Home Minister P. Chidambaram assured them that the Center would ensure their safety//
This is political statement and can only be seen as calming process by Delhi, and at best we should see whether it weigh any credibility. I for one am doubtful of this statement, see that Indonesian government issued the same statement for Mollucas and Poso without any effect whatsoever.
How can people in the government ensure that the entire Hindu militants would stop preying on those poor and defenseless Christian refugees hiding in the jungle? They could not do anything unless they wrote down and enforce a criminal law or code banning violence and persecution to those brothers and sisters, thus stopping both jihadist and Hindu militias at the same time.
My sympathy goes to our Indian fellow believers, including brother Matthew and indochristian.
Now the whole world could notice the danger of terrorism
perpetrated by the terrorists from Pakistan under the
disguise of Islam. Indeed, the decent Muslims are ashamed of the terrorits at this point, so they are taking a stand against the terrorists who are taking the
name of Islam to conduct terroism. Likwise the peace
loving Hindus will have to take a stand against the
terrorists who have skyjacked Hinduism. Until and unless, all religious believers come to the conclusion
that terrorism itself a religion of death and blood and
it has nothing to do with any other religion; there is no solution to this international crisis. The world
community has to identify the Indian orginated terrorists organizations as a deadly as any other
terrorist organization and dismantle all of them one
by one, through the U.N. charter.
In our history many Christians have suffered and many have given thier life for Jesus, it is an honor to do so. I'm not that any of us like pain but to serve Jesus with our all is everything. I agree we need to support our persecuted family in Orissa, first pray seek the Lord and do as Jesus leads you to do. Writing to those who can help change the situation is a step we can make to help too. Supporting those who help with intervention on the ground such as Voice of the Martyrs can help too. I do not trust in any politician nor should anyone in Christ but our hope is in Christ and to follow His lead.
The Bajrang Dal, the militant arm of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad needs to be identified as a terrorist organisation. If western countries and the Indian govt are serious about protecting Christians, than they need to do more than mumbling "strong worded" statements.
The BJ are not intimidated by a politician sitting in New Delhi. So called Christian countries need to shut down the mother ship organisation Vishwa Hindu Parishad that operate in the US, UK, Canada, Australia etc . under tax exempt status.
If Western countries cannot take on these organisations, do you really believe that a threat by a politician in Delhi will thwart the Bajrang Dal ?????