(The Times of India, 8 September 2008)
Mumbaikars protest Orissa violence
MUMBAI: Condemning the violence in Orissa, the All India Christian Council has demanded a CBI inquiry into the incidents.
A rally was held at Azad Maidan on Sunday to protest against communalism and violence against Christians in Orissa. Activist Teesta Setalvad alleged that the state seemed hand in glove with the VHP for allowing its general secretary Praveen Togadia enter sensitive areas, which spread the violence even further. "Why isn't the Centre imposing a President's rule?'' Setalvad demanded as she addressed a 500-strong gathering. The rally was also supported by the Catholic Secular Forum and the Kerala Catholic Association. She urged the Hindus to raise their voice against the atrocities in Orissa.
General secretary of the CSF Joseph Dias said last week his organisation took relief material for the thousands in Orissa, who have been rendered homeless.
"But we were asked to leave behind the stuff and go back. So, decided to bring back all the relief material. We will go back once the government allows us to distribute it among the needy,'' added Dias.
Over the past 13 days, Orissa has been in the red as churches are being torched and Christians' houses burnt down, a source said. The violence is reportedly still on and the state is not even demanding a CBI inquiry.
"Whom is the government shielding?'' asked Abraham Mathai, convenor of the rally. Earlier, Archbishop of Orissa Raphael Cheenath gave details on how the violence started and slowly spread across the state, how "Christian homes were burnt down''.
Swami Agnivesh, head of the World Council of Arya Samaj, said the general Hindu population was not in support of the atrocities unleashed by persons like Togadia. He urged people to "light the divine fire within and work for the cause of humanity''.
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