D
Derrickdcosta
Guest
On January 28th 2008, I was in Bhubaneswar, on the invitation of Most Rev. Raphael Cheenath svd, the Archbishop of Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, to speak / participate on a Strategic Planning Meeting entitled “Christian Minorities in Orissa under Attack”, which was convened by him at the Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar.
In the context of the meeting and my subsequent interactions with several, even on the next day, I think it is necessary to put down some of my reflections / observations on what is happening in Orissa and also some suggestions, to immediately address the situation.
The parallels between Gujarat and Orissa are unbelievably similar. The connection between the two States, especially since the late nineties, has always been there. It is a known fact that some of the rabble rousers in the tribal dominated areas of Gujarat have had their orientation and training in Orissa.
The “modus operandi” of the Sangh Parivar is evidently clear. There is meticulous planning involved. They use lies and half truths to instigate the mobs; the mobs attack Christian Churches, institutions, houses…the people flee, they are terrorized; the Managers, Parish Priests, Superiors in charge of the institutions move away fearing death. Through official Government channels, relief is not allowed. The Sangh Parivar clearly show that the Church has “abandoned” her people, the Priests have “run away”, there is no relief coming and then ofcourse, there is a “ghar vapasi” programme !
The media is compromised; the reports in the local press are mainly anti-Christian, there is very little coverage in the national / international print / electronic media. Most outsiders think everything is alright.
The Collector of Kandhamal issues an order dated 11th January 2008, literally preventing the Christians from providing relief to the affected people. This order was challenged by the Archbishop of Bhubaneswar in a Writ Petition No. 1257/2008 . This Writ Petition was apparently deposed on 28th January 2008 but the written Court Order is still awaited.
The State of Orissa shows an apparent air of being ineffective, but the reality is that the State is in criminal complicity with the right-wing Hindu elements – inspite of sweet talk by the CM.
Whilst Orissa definitely has a huge number of NGOs, there seems to be hardly any desire, collaboration and commitment to respond to the attack on the Christians.
Civil society also seems to have abdicated its role and responsibility. Whilst there has been some token protests in Bhubaneswar, it was mainly because of the presence and organizational capabilities of those who have come from outside the State.
There have been some reports and some appeals which have come from Orissa but what is seriously lacking is an indepth study / analysis of the situation, preferably done by a team of eminent citizens from outside the State.
The Church too seems to be in a state of “paralysis”. There definitely have been several gestures of response, but what is lacking is a coordinated and articulated stand which would simultaneously address the humanitarian (relief), justice (legal) and Constitutional (against communalism), media (communications) dimensions of the reality. Besides, in keeping with the terrorist / fascist designs of the Sangh Parivar, several key Church personnel are not present in the affected areas.
Major Donor Agencies like the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and Caritas India are ready to provide financial assistance to the victims but these sources remain virtually untapped.
Some of the above may seem judgmental but I have drawn these conclusions after indepth interactions I have had with several concerned people; however, I stand to be corrected if I am wrong.
In the context of the meeting and my subsequent interactions with several, even on the next day, I think it is necessary to put down some of my reflections / observations on what is happening in Orissa and also some suggestions, to immediately address the situation.
The parallels between Gujarat and Orissa are unbelievably similar. The connection between the two States, especially since the late nineties, has always been there. It is a known fact that some of the rabble rousers in the tribal dominated areas of Gujarat have had their orientation and training in Orissa.
The “modus operandi” of the Sangh Parivar is evidently clear. There is meticulous planning involved. They use lies and half truths to instigate the mobs; the mobs attack Christian Churches, institutions, houses…the people flee, they are terrorized; the Managers, Parish Priests, Superiors in charge of the institutions move away fearing death. Through official Government channels, relief is not allowed. The Sangh Parivar clearly show that the Church has “abandoned” her people, the Priests have “run away”, there is no relief coming and then ofcourse, there is a “ghar vapasi” programme !
The media is compromised; the reports in the local press are mainly anti-Christian, there is very little coverage in the national / international print / electronic media. Most outsiders think everything is alright.
The Collector of Kandhamal issues an order dated 11th January 2008, literally preventing the Christians from providing relief to the affected people. This order was challenged by the Archbishop of Bhubaneswar in a Writ Petition No. 1257/2008 . This Writ Petition was apparently deposed on 28th January 2008 but the written Court Order is still awaited.
The State of Orissa shows an apparent air of being ineffective, but the reality is that the State is in criminal complicity with the right-wing Hindu elements – inspite of sweet talk by the CM.
Whilst Orissa definitely has a huge number of NGOs, there seems to be hardly any desire, collaboration and commitment to respond to the attack on the Christians.
Civil society also seems to have abdicated its role and responsibility. Whilst there has been some token protests in Bhubaneswar, it was mainly because of the presence and organizational capabilities of those who have come from outside the State.
There have been some reports and some appeals which have come from Orissa but what is seriously lacking is an indepth study / analysis of the situation, preferably done by a team of eminent citizens from outside the State.
The Church too seems to be in a state of “paralysis”. There definitely have been several gestures of response, but what is lacking is a coordinated and articulated stand which would simultaneously address the humanitarian (relief), justice (legal) and Constitutional (against communalism), media (communications) dimensions of the reality. Besides, in keeping with the terrorist / fascist designs of the Sangh Parivar, several key Church personnel are not present in the affected areas.
Major Donor Agencies like the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and Caritas India are ready to provide financial assistance to the victims but these sources remain virtually untapped.
Some of the above may seem judgmental but I have drawn these conclusions after indepth interactions I have had with several concerned people; however, I stand to be corrected if I am wrong.
.
greatly appreciated.