Solidarity Rally at Bhubaneswar Calls for Early Restoration of Peace in Orissa  

The solidarity rally organized by the National Minority Front at Bhubaneswar on 17^th September 2008 called for earliest restoration of peace and stringent action for the perpetrators of violence.  The rally was organized to express solidarity with the Christian minority communities who are enduring unimaginable torture and brutality from the hands of Hindu fundamentalists.  

The rally was attended by more than 800 people from different parts of India which included leaders of other minority communities and also some Hindu social activists.  The rally was addressed by leaders from Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Christian communities.  The Christian community included 50 protestant denominations and the Roman Catholics.  The speakers unanimously denounced the killing of innocent Christians in Kandhamal and everywhere else in Orissa which has fuelled anti-Christian attacks all over the country.  

The church leaders who represented different churches were Mr. Herod Mallik (Convener of the National Minority Front, West Bengal), Bishop. D. K. Sahu (General Secretary, National Council of Churches of India, Nagpur), Dr. S. N. Patro (President, Orissa Minority Forum, Bhubaneswar), Rev. Dr. Richard Howell (General Secretary, Evangelical Fellowship of India, New Delhi), Mr. Vijayesh Lal (Director, Light Foundation, Noida, UP), Dr. M. Q. Khan (Former Vice Chancellor of Berhampur University, Cuttack), Prof. Dr. Budhadev Mishra (Bhubaneswar), Bishop Ashok Biswas (Bishop of Calcutta Diocese, CNI, West Bengal), Bishop Brojen Malakar (Bishop of Barrackpur Diocese, CNI, West Bengal), Bishop Juria Bardhan (Bishop  of Jharkhand & Bihar, (BCI) Ranchi, Jharkhand), Fr. Faustin Brank (West Bengal), Bishop C. K. Das (Bishop of Sambalpur Diocese, CNI, Orissa), Bishop Samson Das (Bishop of Cuttack Diocse, CNI, Orissa), Bishop B. K. Nayak (Bishop of Phulbani Diocese, CNI, Kandhamal), Mr. Jarbir Singh Patti (Sr. Vice President of Awaze-Awaam, Punjab), Mr. Hardip Johal (Amritsar, Punjab), Bishop P. K. Samantaroy (Bishop of Amritsar Diocese which covers Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, CNI), Miss J. R. Patro (Secretary, Utkal (Orissa) Christian Council), Mr. B. D. Das (Advocate, Orissa High Court and an Executive Member, CNI), Mr. P. K. Sahu (Secretary, Puri Pastorate Union), Fr. Dibya Singh Parikshya (Roman Catholic Church, Bhubaneswar), Mr. Om Praksah (Shimla, Himachal Pradesh), Rev. H.R. Lohora (Dean, P.C. Bible Collage & Seminary, Chennai, Tamilnadu), Mr. A. Dharmaraj (Convener, Chhatisgarh Christian Forum, Raipur), Mr. Michael Angelious (Vice President, NCCI), Rev. Raj Bharat Patta (Andhra Pradesh Evangelical Lutheran Church, AP), and Dr. Mar Atsongcher (AO Baptist Church, Nagaland)  

The rally entailed a delegation of minority leaders meeting with Mr. Naveen Pattnaik, the Chief Minister of Orissa.  The meeting lasted about 90 minutes in which the following concerns were expressed for immediate action:  

1. The Christians numbering more than 30000 who have fled from their villages and are hiding in the forest and taken shelter in relief camps are not wiling to return to their villages because they are given only one choice, "Embrace Hinduism and return to the village or face the consequences".

2. The Churches and church related NGOs are not allowed to distribute relief materials except through the Red Cross. The Church leaders have no confidence in the management of the Red Cross in Orissa as it is managed by the Government officers most of whom are party to violence against the Christians.

3. On the one hand many innocent Christians are taken into police custody and are subjected to inhuman method of interrogation. On the other hand the Police do not register a case when the Christians approach them with a complaint.

4. Though the Govt. claims that everything is under control the situation is far from normal. There are daily incidence of Christians forcefully captured and put through a ceremony of re-conversion.

After the discussion the Bishops and Church Leaders of all the Churches of Orissa submitted a 14 points Charter of Demand to Mr. Pattnaik insisting on the following:  

•             Adequate measures be taken to identify and root out anti-minority hate campaign and inhuman activities in the state of Orissa.

•             To appoint CBI for simultaneous enquiry to identify the militant unit engaged in the recent riot.

•             Adequate relief must be provided to all victims of riot and long term rehabilitation measures are ensured to the victims.

•             To reconstruct and repair all damaged churches out of state fund.

•             To release funds immediately for reconstruction of damaged and destroyed houses of the victims.

•             To set up a special court to expeditiously try the cases of communal riot.

•             To ban communal and fundamental organizations like VHP, Bajrang Dal and RSS like other terrorist outfits (i.e. SIMI) that are responsible for creating violence in the state.

•             To arrest all accused persons perpetrating violence against Christians in Kandhamal area and all those abating the riot.

•             To compensate the victims of violence against Christians in Orissa in same manner as it was done for victims of riots in 1984.

•             To deploy Para Military forces in all sensitive villages in the District of Kandhamal to ensure safety and security of members of Christian Community till complete peace is restored.

•             To set up Minority Commission in Orissa to restore self-confidence and sense of security among the people belonging to minority communities.

•             To take stringent action against those who are forcibly converting Christians to Hinduism.

•             Strict action be taken against erring police and administrative officials for failing to carry out their duties and responsibilities.

•             The NGOs and Churches be allowed to carry out their relief and rehabilitation work in the affected areas. The concerned district authorities be directed to extend all assistance and provide adequate security to them.