Announcement: US Congressional Hearing/Religious Freedom in (Orissa) India

The Threat Religious Extremism Poses to Democracy and Security in India: Focus on Orissa
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
9:00-10:30 a.m.
Room: 2168 Rayburn

Dear Colleague,

Please join the Congressional Task Force on International Religious Freedom for a briefing on "The Threat Religious Extremism Poses to Democracy and Security in India: Focus on Orissa." The briefing, chaired by Rep. Trent Franks and Rep. Joseph R. Pitts, will be held at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 10, 2008 in 2168 Rayburn. This briefing will be open to the public and the media.

Since August 2008, the state of Orissa in India has witnessed the worst ever spate of ‘communal violence’ targeted at the Christian community since India gained independence, including killings and widespread destruction of churches and properties of Christians. The attacks were catalyzed by the assassination of Swami Lakhmananda Saraswati, the local figurehead of the radical Hindu nationalist group, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on August 23rd. By the following day, mobs instigated by extremist Hindus were rampaging the area, openly blaming Christians for the murder and calling for revenge. They began launching attacks on Christian targets, which lasted for around eight weeks, although sporadic attacks are still continuing. The character of the violence has been extremely brutal, including murders by burning or burying alive and retributive rapes. It is even reported that a nun was one of the rape victims. It has resulted in at least 60 deaths (possibly many more), the destruction of 5,000 homes and the displacement of at least 50,000 people. Christians returning to their homes have faced violent coercion to convert to Hinduism.

The violence was centered on Kandhamal district, but spread widely throughout the state of Orissa. This was not the first outbreak of violence in Kandhamal; a wave of attacks largely targeting the property of Christians was carried out by the VHP in December 2007, but the ringleaders and inciters of the violence were not brought to justice, in spite of recommendations made by the National Commission for Minorities. There are fears that those who incited the most recent attacks will continue to enjoy impunity. This month marks one year since the original outbreak of violence in Kandhamal, and with elections looming in the state of Orissa and at the national level, there are fears that further anti-minority violence could flare, which makes this briefing very timely.

Joining us to discuss these important issues we welcome as witnesses Vishal Arora, an independent Indian journalist; Dr. Angana Chatterji, Associate Professor of Social and Cultural Anthropology at California Institute of Integral Studies; Angela Wu, International Director at The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty; Sophie Richardson, Advocacy Director for Human Rights Watch's Asia Division; and Joannella Morales with the State Department's Office of International Religious Freedom.

For more information about this briefing or to RSVP, please contact Tina Ramirez with Representative Trent Franks (5-4576) or Kristen Handley with Representative Emanuel Cleaver (5-4535).

Most sincerely,

Trent Franks Emanuel Cleaver, II Joseph R. Pitts

Tina Ramirez
Office of Congressman Trent Franks
Second Congressional District of Arizona
1237 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
202-225-4576
www.house.gov/franks