THE INDIA UPDATE
Updated 1 March 2009
ORISSA POLL PROCESS LEAVES CHRISTIANS OUT IN THE COLD
Community may move Election Commission of India for Kandhamal review
Major Reports not implemented so far by State Government
Barring a miracle, there will be no Christian candidate chosen by any political party to contest the Parliamentary and State Legislative Assembly Elections in the troubled State of Orissa which goes to the polls mid-April 2009. This speaks amply about how the various parties -- the ruling Biju Janata Dal, its erstwhile coalition partner and otherwise minority-baiting Bharatiya Janata Party, the new allies in the Left, and the old Opposition Congress Party—think of this hapless religious minority as someone to project and strengthen politically. Patently, Christians do not matter when it comes to elections in India.
But even if they had chosen a Christian candidate or two as a concession to tokenism, it remains a moot question if he or she would have won, given the acute communal polarisation in the State in the wake of the anti Christian violence of 2007-2008 that singed and scalded half of the State’s thirty districts.
For the Christians in the Kandhamal district which was the epicentre of the violence, in fact, the chances are quite dim that they will ever get a chance to exercise the Constitutional right of universal franchise. Three thousand of them are in government refugee camps, the rest are basically homeless, destitute, disenfranchised. Tens of thousands remain internally displaced persons, as a group of them had famously told the United Nations office in New Delhi last year.
My own organisation, the All India Christian Council, which has been deeply involved in the Orissa issue, is considering approaching the Election Commission of India in a legal memorandum, and the Election Commissioners individually, urging them to take a close look at the Kandhamal situation to see if free and fair elections are possible, and to take remedial action to make it possible for the people to exercise their democratic rights. We are not sure at this early stage of seeking a deferment of the elections in the Kandhamal region is the possible solution.
Democratic norms are not really the strength of Orissa. The Biju Janata Dal-Bharatiya Janata party alliance which had ruled the state eleven years – in religious bigotry at other times – broke up when the partners fell out on the sharing of seats. Mr. Patnaik, the butt of jokes and attacks through the crisis of the last two years, suddenly found new friends, even in the Left, and won a voice vote in the State Assembly after the Bharatiya Janata party left him crying betrayal! Mr. Pattnaik is yet to take action against the BJP and its friends of the Hindutva Parivar for killing, maiming and raping Christians, and for monumental arson amounting to a sort of genocide. Probably he never will, even if he returns to power in May 2009.
The words of Archbishop Raphael Cheenath sum up the situation; Said the Archbishop today “Alliances and elections do not matter when life and security is under threat! My primary concern is the people of Kandhamal, not only the Christians but everyone there. Who is concerned about the affected people in Kandhamal? It is more than six months now and still the life and security of the people in Kandhamal is under threat. The state is trying to project peace by sending the people out from the camps. In some villages there is social boycott and the people are still living in fear. The Dalits and adivasi of Kandhamal feel that they have become victims of the narrow political interests of the political parties, whether BJD, BJP or Congress. The culprits have not been arrested and they continue to pose threat to peace. No reasonable compensation has reached the people. Every move of the political parties and opportunistic alliances are keenly being observed by the people and I am sure that they will teach an appropriate lesson to all of them.”
The following are some of the major recommendations I culled out from reports as diverse as the Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Prof Angana Chatterji’s deposition in Washington before the United States government, and the National Commission for Minorities report to the Indian government, the former Revenue Secretary of the Government of India’s note to the State government, and a retired high court judge whose report is yet to be published. The recommendations are basically in a random order, and remarkably, were mentioned in most, if not all, of the reports. I have edited them for brevity, but they still make for hair-raising reading.
1. The attacks on Christians in 2008 were pre-planned. The guilty must be speedily identified; fast track courts set up to see that justice delivery is transparent and timely to make a difference.
2. The matters and circumstances that led to the Kandhamal violence of 2007 and 2008 in Orissa continue to pose a threat to the sanctity and security of human rights in the state, particularly of religious and ethnic minorities such as Christians and Muslims, disenfranchised Adivasi, Dalit, and caste groups, and other vulnerable groups such as women. Failure to take preventative and effective action continues to jeopardize the rule of law, the right to life and livelihood, freedom of religion, of speech, movement, assembly, inquiry, and the right to information in Orissa.
3. The atmosphere in Kandhamal District continues tense. Fresh violence is possible. Central Reserve police, of which three battalions still remain in Orissa, need to be retained to give confidence to the religious minorities.
4. Hindutva nationalist leaders, activists, and organizations in Orissa charged with involvement in criminal acts and involvement in actions that have led, or may lead, to communal violence must be investigated and prosecuted. The impunity being enjoyed by members of the RSS, VHP and others should be cracked by proceeding legally against them. The Government of Orissa and the Central Government must make concerted efforts to identify, investigate, and eradicate paramilitary hate camps being operated in Orissa by the Hindutva groups raining cadres in arms and militancy with the express purpose of threatening and destroying minority populations through social and economic boycotts, sporadic and organized intimidation, arson, rape, murder.
5. Police Force levels, strengthening of the Criminal Justice System and Rule of Law: Government must take these steps by mobilising man power in the area of criminal justice system at a level that is proportionate to the multiple crisis situations that the District is facing. Such a mobilisation will send the clearest signal yet so badly required to the entire area and beyond in regard to the Government’s earnestness in outlawing forces of disruption and re-establishing the Rule of Law.
6. Large numbers of Christians remain in the government refugee camps, and in other camps, because of the construing threat of forcible conversion to Hinduism; Though conditions in the camps are inhuman, and an affront to Human rights norms, the camps themselves must continue so long as complete conditions of peace, safety and security have not been restored in the affected villages. A basic requirement for the victims to return to their homes is assurance and self assurance that they may lead the kind of cultural and spiritual life they wish to live as guaranteed in the Constitution.
7. Guilty officers continue to enjoy impunity. Even the judicial commissions give signals of their bias. The government officials should be booked for the dereliction of their duty and the wilful negligence in protecting the victims and stopping the violence. Police, judicial, and governmental reform, including diversity training, must be addressed by relevant state institutions, and action taken against officers of the law and political servants who abuse their position by using their power to influence and support Hindutva groups.
8. Orissa Minorities Commission must be established. Peace committees are bigoted, and have failed.
9. Women suffer the most, even in the government camps. In the tents, there was hardly space for anyone to move or stretch, what to speak of privacy for women to change. Those women live in the full view of the male inmates, including their own brothers on the one hand and strangers on the other. Their sanitary requirements at a personal level, including of women who have not attained menopause have not been factored in by those who designed or are running these camps.
10. Restoration of Tribal Identity and simultaneous justice to the long-time weaker sections residents of the area, the Dalits. Land rights in the Scheduled areas in letter and spirit, and in the rulings of the Supreme Court of India. The Government may examine in the Tribes Advisory Council if land can be made available to the riot-hit people. The Governor has certain powers in the Scheduled Areas as well.
11. The Collector must give importance of giving priority to programmes like the ICDS, Watershed Development, NREGS and Joint Forest Management as they are amenable to integrated approaches involving the entire community, thus providing a healing touch and togetherness.
12. Relief, Rehabilitation and Compensation package: Consumption finance is a very important part of the relief package in any programme of relief and rehabilitation. Its absence leads to the victims using the compensation intended for other purposes such as building destroyed and damaged houses for consumption needs and to stave off hunger.
13. Policy of zero tolerance to Discrimination: There are laws in this country that punish promotion of hatred and religious intolerance. It would serve the interests of the people of the State and act as a salve for the traumatised and therefore estranged sections of the society
14. Probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI
15. Extensive and proper damage assessment should be done by the government with the help of civil society organisations and full compensation ensured. The damaged and burned houses and institutions should be rebuilt by the government.
16. Police desks should be set up for registering minority grievances and filing FIRs, and the Government of Orissa must appoint a team of Special Public Prosecutors to conduct proceedings as necessary. Toward this, independent monitoring bodies must be supported and protected.
17. The Government of India and the Government of Orissa must take adequate and expeditious steps to ensure that those who convert voluntarily to Christianity, Islam, or any other faith are allowed to practice their religion
18. The disparagement, demonization, and vilification of any religion should be statutorily prohibited and held punishable under the Indian Penal Code.
19. The Orissa Freedom of Religion Act, 1967, and the Orissa Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1960, must be reviewed and repealed.
20. On 29 November 1949, India became a signatory to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, approved by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 260 A (III) of 9 December 1948. On 27 August 1959, India ratified the Genocide Convention. However, India is yet to fulfil its obligatory commitment to enact legislation to implement the convention, which it must be compelled to undertake.
A brief recall August- December 2008:
In Orissa, 54,000 were rendered homeless, 20,000 Children lose a year of school, some may never go back to school, 3,000 persons areas till in Government refugee camps in March 2009. As we know, 120 were murdered, including 7 Priests/ Pastors, ten more were injured, Two Rapes confirmed [One of Nun], many others are feared to have been molested,, 315 Villages were destroyed, 4,640 houses burnt [State government earlier estimates 4,215], 252 Churches destroyed [as estimated by State government], and 13 schools and colleges were destroyed.
MEANWHILE, IN KARNATAKA STATE, THE RECORD FOR 2008:
AUGUST 2008
• 10th: At Davanagere, Davanagere District, the House of Prayer church was attacked by around 200 Bajrang Dal activists. Fifteen church members received minor injuries. About 80 members normally attend the church. Six persons were arrested.
• 12th: A mob of about 200 people, including activists of the Hindu Jagarana Vedike and Shiv Sena youth association surrounded the house of Pastor Premkumar in Davangere Town, Davanagere District. They repeatedly pelted the house with stones between 10:30 am and 7 pm. Eleven people including four women were brought out of the house by force. The police were compelled to take the Christians into detention to protect them. The attackers demanded that Pastor Premkumar, Pastor Rajashekar and Pastor Karunakar of Divine Healing Ministries and Hosanna Ministries Eternal Life Church should be exiled from the district. An FIR was filed.
• 17th: The Divine Healing Ministry church in Davangere city, Davanagere District, was attacked by around 50 Bajrang Dal workers during the church service. Bibles and hymn books were burnt. A few church members were beaten and harassed. No arrests were made.
• 24th: Nitya Jeeva Devalaya, an independent church in Davangere city, Davanagere District, was attacked during the Sunday worship service. Around 60 Bajrang Dal workers barged in and disrupted the service and beat a few believers. They also broke furniture. And they burnt Bibles and song books. No complaint was registered.
• 27th: A Christian prayer hall named Yesu Prathanalaya at Uchangidurga in Harpanahalli taluk, Davanagere District, was attacked by about 30 Ram Sena workers. Pastor Raju Gowda was roughed up. Three of the church members were hurt and treated for minor injuries in the hospital. Eight persons were arrested. Case was registered under IPC Section 295 and 298.
September 2008
• 7th: Around 9 a.m. at Bada village, Davangere District, an independent church planted by Mission Action Fellowship called Yesu Kripalaya was attacked by a 300-strong mob that broke the asbestos (corrugated material) ceiling, furniture, windows, and set fire to a Bible and other literature. They also broke the cross and the pulpit. Hindu Jagarana Vedike claimed responsibility for the attack and said it was because villagers were forced to convert. The pastor, Lukas, vacated the village and has not returned. Ten arrests were made. Case registered under IPC Sections 295 and 298.
September 14th
Between 9 a.m. and 11.15 a.m., the following churches and prayer halls were attacked:
• In Bannur village, Udupi District, a group of 25 to 30 attackers entered and vandalised Believers Church. They burned Bibles and damaged the furniture. Two church members were beaten. Four persons were arrested. Case was booked under IPC Sections 143, 147, 148, 427 and 149.
• In Udupi city, Udupi District, the New Life Fellowship Hall was attacked by 40 to 50 slogan-shouting Bajrang Dal workers. They injured five adults and a child. Windows were smashed and furniture damaged. The pastor’s name is Pastor Gopi and FIR was registered.
• In Shiroor village, Udupi District, a gang of 25 with sickles and sticks attacked the Life and Light Ministries prayer hall. The pastor was assaulted, a car torched, windows broken, and furniture damaged. Five arrests were made. Case registered under IPC Sections 143, 147, 295, 448, 324, 506, 427 and 149.
• In Koteshwar village, Udupi District, the Carmel Ashram (Roman Catholic) was attacked. Icons/statues of Mother Mary and Infant Jesus were damaged by around 25 people. A few church members were physically harassed. A couple of them were slapped or hit. Two persons were arrested.
• In Mudur village, Udupi District, a group attacked Mission One Million Life Centre and physically harassed one person and damaged furniture, a television set, and the telephone. Five arrests were made.
• At Kodical, Mangalore city, Dakshina Kannada District, a Tamil-language Protestant church which is part of the Church of South India denomination was attacked by 15 persons during a prayer service. Several church members were assaulted. Furniture was destroyed. Four persons were arrested.
• At the Roman Catholic Adoration Monastery on Falnir Road, Mangalore city, Dakshina Kannada District, about 15 people vandalised the building and sacraments, and attacked nuns who were in prayer. Several of the nuns were severely injured and treated in the hospital. Seven arrests were made.
• At Kavoor, Mangalore city, Dakshina Kannada District, around 20 persons vandalised and desecrated the Assembly of Prayer Fellowship. Policemen stationed there were attacked. Bibles and Christian literature were burnt. Seven Christians received injuries. Four arrests were made.
• At Shakti Nagar in Mangalore Rural taluk, Dakshina Kannada District, around 60 persons vandalised and desecrated the Jesus Christ Church. Windows were broken and furniture damaged. No arrests were made. Case registered under IPC Sections 143, 147, 148, 447, 427, and 149.
• At Bilinele village, Dakshina Kannada District, at the Assembly of God Church, around 20 persons vandalised the facility. Bibles were burnt. A few Christians were assaulted. Nine persons were arrested.
• At Kalanja village, Dakshina Kannada District, about 15 persons attacked believers with sickles and desecrated the Indian Pentecostal Prayer Hall. Four people received injuries and were treated in the hospital. Nine arrests were made.
• At Madanthyar village, Dakshina Kannada District, a gang of 30 people assaulted the pastor of the Mahima Prayer Hall with iron rods and desecrated the church. Three people, including the pastor, were injured. Six arrests were made. Case registered under IPC Sections 143, 147, 148, 427, 324 and 34.
• A group of alleged Bajrang Dal members attacked the New Life Fellowship at Madanthyar, Dakshina Kannada District. The property was damaged and an FIR filed.
• The End Time Full Gospel Church in Jayapura, Chikmagalore District, was attacked during the Sunday service by 15 people who claimed to be Bajrang Dal activists. They had sticks and sickles and injured nine Christians. No arrests were made.
• Kingdom Hall church in Chikmagalore District was attacked by 20 Bajrang Dal workers who threw chilli powder in the eyes of the Christians. A pregnant woman was attacked and kicked. She later received treatment for her injuries in the hospital. No arrests were made.
• New Apostolic Church was attacked in Singatagere village, Chikmagalore District by twelve people. They damaged the church, burnt a Bible, and one Christian, Kallesh, was stripped naked. An FIR was filed.
• Ebenezer Prayer Hall in Chikmagalore town, Chikmagalore District, was vandalized by around 25 VHP workers who damaged the church furniture. An FIR was filed.
• An attack took place on the St. Thomas Church, (Church of South India) in Chikballapur, Chikballapur District. Miscreants came in the night and vandalized the church.
September 15th
The following places were attacked between 1.30 a.m. and 3.30 p.m.
• At Ganjimath village, Mangalore Rural taluk, Dakshina Kannada District, window panes of the Believers Church were broken by motorcycle-borne vandals. No arrests.
• In Bantwal taluk, Dakshina Kannada District, vandals tried to set the door of the Believers Church on fire even though a police team was guarding the church. No arrests were made.
• On Jail Road, Mangalore city, Dakshina Kannada District, motorcycle-borne vandals pelted stones at the Capuchin Church (Roman Catholic) and damaged sacred icons and statues. No arrests. Case registered under IPC sections 427 and 153a.
September 16th
• In Kolar town, Kolar District, vandals damaged a century-old statue of the Mother Mary at the St. Mary’s church (Roman Catholic). No arrests were made.
• At Adyar, Mangalore Rural taluk, Dakshina Kannada District, over 20 vandals desecrated the Rima Worship Centre and destroyed property. No arrests were made.
• At Ernody village, Dakshina Kannada District, vandals broke into the St. George Church (Roman Catholic) desecrated the place, and attempted to set it on fire. Two arrests were made. Case registered under IPC sections 457, 295, and 448.
September 18th
• On B.C. Road in Bantwal taluk, Dakshina Kannada District, vandals pelted stones at the Believers Church. Windows were broken. No arrests.
September 19th
• In Sagar town, Shimoga District, a group hung a garland of chappals (flip flop sandals) on the Jesus statue at St. Mary’s Church (Roman Catholic). This is a serious insult in the culture. Three arrests were made. Case registered under IPC section 153 and 153(a).
• At Padu Kody village, Dakshina Kannada District, motorcycle-borne vandals pelted stones at the St. Xavier’s (Roman Catholic) church and damaged icons. Cases registered under IPC sections 143, 144, 295, 427 and 149.
September 21st
• A group of unknown assailants broke windows of a prayer hall called “Brethren Christa Aaradhanalaya” near Nellihudikeri town, Kodagu District. No arrests made.
• In Bangalore District, at the St. James Church (Roman Catholic) in Mariyannapalya, two gold plated crowns and cash from the offering box were stolen, and the sacred sacrament damaged. Seven persons were arrested. A case was registered under IPC sections 144, 149, 333 and 448.
• At the Holy Name of Jesus Church (Roman Catholic) at Rajarajeshwarinagar in Bangalore District, the glass casing around the statue of the Infant Jesus was stoned and the statue damaged. No arrests have been made. A case was registered under IPC sections 144, 149, 333 and 448.
September 26th
• Peace Prayer Hall in Yelahanka, Bangalore District, was vandalized.
Pastor Gideon said about 20 members of the Bajrang Dal came as the prayer meeting was in progress and broke the musical instruments and burnt the Bible. An FIR was lodged.
• At Shamboor village in Bantwal taluk, Dakshina Kannada District, attackers vandalized Sacred Heart Church. They burnt the Bible and two song books. They also damaged the pulpit, a lamp, a clock and two tube lights. An FIR was filed.
September 29th
• Money (Rs. 10,000) and electronic items were stolen from St.
Anthony’s church (Roman Catholic) Church in Anagalpura, Bangalore District. Unknown criminals ransacked the store room & stole musical instruments, microphones, and a loudspeaker.
October 2008
• 5th: Immanuel Prayer Hall in Chamraj Nagar near Mysore, Mysore District, was burnt down. According to Pastor Patrick, Bajrang Dal workers came and threatened him couple of weeks ago and he believes they were involved in arson. Police declared that it was just an accident. An FIR was filed.
• 13th: Some miscreants set fire to St. Anthony’s church (Roman Catholic) at Yadavanahalli, Bangalore Urban District. The church suffered extensive damage and the loss is estimated around Rs. 1 million (10 lakh). Police said the fire was due to an electrical short circuit. Two experts’ teams, comprising electrical engineers and technicians, said there was no trace of any electrical short circuit. A case has been lodged in Attibele Police station and no arrests were made.
• 26th: Belgaum: Teluga Brethren Christian Assemblies Church vandalised and damaged, complaint given to police, but no FIR was filed by police.
November 2008
• 2nd: Thimannakatte village, Haveri: police disrupted Dheiwah Ministry meeting following false reports of ‘forcible conversions’, pastor told by police to request permission before meeting in future.
• 2nd: Bagalkot: Shalom Full Gospel Church told by police to request permission before conducting meetings in future.
• 20th: Bajpe Antonikatte, Mangalore: St Antony Chapel vandalised when stones thrown by Hindu extremists.
December 2008
• 14th: Bangarapet, Kolar: RSS members attacked a Christian function and falsely accused Christians of ‘forcible conversion’. The Christians were dragged to the police station and detained and the police are investigating the allegations. Aicc was involved in securing the release of the Christians.
Other States impacted include Tamil Nadu Bihar, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, and Andhra
[Data courtesy aicc, Hyderabad and Bangalore officex.]
|
