Purushottam Nayak –
Phulbani , Kandhamal, Odisha: India’s most persecuted Christians recently gathered together at the headquarter Phulbani of Kandhamal district, Odisha, Eastern India to observe the anti-Christian violence 2008 as the day of justice, peace and harmony.
(An association of Survivors of Kandhamal Violence), Phulbani, invited all Indians to observe “Kandhamal Nyayo, Saanti O’ Sadvawana Divas” (Kandhamal Justice, Peace and Harmony Day) “, a platform for Odisha civil society began in the aftermath of the violent pogrom against Christians of 2008.
The observation with peace rally people holding placards of protect constitution save Nation, we want peace, love your neighbour, Hindu, Muslims, Sikhs, Budhists, Jains are brothers and sisters, we are many in one God from Madikunda chhak to Coronation ground, Phulbani took place on 27th August, to remember, honour, pay tribute, respect and reverence to the martyrs of 2007-2008.
About 2000 people gathered together at Phulbani to support the demands of the victims and survivors waiting for justice for the last 14 years in Kandhamal.
“I have come here to pay tribute and homage to my husband who was brutally massacred by the Hindu extremists during Kandhamal anti-Christian violence 2008,” said Anita Pradhan widow of Sibina Pradhan the martyr , one of the survivors participated in the peace rally.
People gathered at Coronation ground for the memorable assembly. Nationally known people addressed the gathering. The eminent speakers include Professor Laxman Yadav , Ashok Kumar Pandey from Delhi, Abhiram Mallick, Amiyo Pandey, Duguni Kanhara, Bishop Dilip Balla, Sangram Mallick, Anil Mallick, Narayana Behera , Ludhia Digal and many others.
“75 years have passed the justice to the victims and survivors have not been given. The government is constituted with our votes. Why are they not giving justice to us? What kind of India ? How long shall we wait for the justice?,” questioned Professor Laxman Yadav in his address.
“Kandhamal is situated 200 kilometres from the state capital Bhubaneswar but the voice of the survivors, victims, Dalits, Adivais and marginalized is not being heard ,” said Ashok Pandey another eminent speaker from Delhi.
In 2008, the country witnessed the worst sectarian violence against Christians in Kandhamal, Odisha, The memorandum presented to the District collector of the association reads: “This is 14th year of Kandhamal Anniversary of the anti-Christian violence. We observe Kandhamal Justice, Peace and Harmony Day on August 27th to bring out communal harmony, peace and justice in the country. The malevolent violence in Kandhamal and adjoining districts of Odisha in 2007 and 2008 stands out for its organised attack on an entire population of Dalits, Adivasis Christians women and children among them, whose life, liberty and human dignity and were violated with impunity in the violence over 100 Christians were killed, over 75,000 displaced. 18,000 Kandhamal survivors are daily labourers in Bhubaneswar without proper food and shelters. More than 5,600 homes were destroyed, apart from 395 churches and other places of worships, and public institutions including schools, social services and health institutions which were looted and destroyed. More than 40 women were raped, molested and humiliated several cases of forced conversion to Hinduism were reported. The education of 12,000 children was disrupted. Many continue to suffer psychologically from the trauma of the violence they suffered.
A study conducted by Supreme Court Advocate Vrinda Grover and Law Professor Dr. Samya Uma found the conviction rate to be as low as 5.13% of the cases brought to court. It was a mere 1% of the reports made to the police by the victims and survivors. The struggle for relief, rehabilitation and justice continues in Courts and government forums.
“Reconciliation is based on justice. Truth is foundation of justice. Seeking peace is fundamental right of every human person. Speaking truth is not against anyone. Wish truth to be told and reconciliation to be sought…then peace will be restored and justice will be reigned,” said Ajaya Singh a Catholic Priest and Human right activist quoting Pope John Paul VI “If you want Peace, work for Justice,” said for the celebration of the Day of Peace on January 1, 1072.
Kandhamal violence is a unique case of multiple violations of basis human rights and dignity of the most vulnerable groups. Justice is yet to be done and rights to be restored.
Professor Prasanna Bishoyi, District president of Kandhamal Nyayo, Santi, O’ Sadvawana Samaj pleaded the gathering with determination not to be repeated the inhuman persecution towards Christians neither in Kandhamal nor in any part of the country because God dwells in each human being. He also urged gathering to build Kandhamal district where justice, peace and harmony prevails. Let everybody willingly and eagerly accepts 4 pillars of the preamble of constitution justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. Let everyone strives for unity in diversity in India.
He also spoke Kandhamal violence revealed the mystery of love for hate, the joy of forgiveness for horrendous persecution and the silence of suffering for Christ for salvation. The Kandhamal violence brought the world closer to God and more significantly to Humanity.
The demands of the victims and survivors are the following:
It has been 13 years since the violence against Christians and major concerns have not been redressed.
- Implement Supreme Court judgment on Kandhamal violence by reopening of the closed 315 cases to ensure justice and Rehabilitation.
- Review the cases that have been closed without conviction due to faulty investigation, improper prosecution and Establish Witness protection Schemes for fearless witnesses.
- Ensure accountability of the government Officials involved in the anti-Christian violence.
- Compensation has not been disbursed and meagre, announce just and enhanced compensation as there was no assessment nor provided with the lost household articles and properties.
- Announce Minority Packages as the Christians of Dalit and Adivasi due to poverty and violence migrate to other states/districts so that they could be provided with skill trainings and livelihoods to prevent unsafe migration.
- Include the minorities (are not give) representation for Prime Minister’s 15 points programme and institutes.
- Kandhamal district has got 4 multi-sectorial, Development Blocks. We are disheartened to inform you that in none of the MCBS is property implemented. The blocks are mostly defunct. Consequently, the minority communities loose MSDP fund of Rs.10 crore per year. The MSDP is not completely planned and implemented in G. Udayagiri and Raikia block since those are declared as Minority concentrated blocks.
- In Kotagarh and Daringbadi blocks four hostels have been made for Minority Children. However, 3 out of 4 hostels are yet to be operational. There is no fund provided towards food of hostel inmates. Till date neither students (individually) nor school institutions (maximum) have received Minority Scholarship.
- Christian Minorities of Kandhamal are considered as other Traditional Forest Dwellers as per Forest Rights Act. But they are not provided government land. Take urgent measures to distribute forestland to traditional forest dwellers (Dalits and Minorities) of Kandhamal who have been residing in forest land for many generations.
- Ensure pre-matric scholarship for application, approval and grants by clearing hurdles through one widow system, take action against schools and colleges that are not providing assistance to the minority. Scrap 50% mark eligibility criteria for scholarship.
- Implement Rangannath Commission Report.
- Scrap anti-Conversion law: Orissa Freedom of Religion Act.
- Establish State Minority Commission and Financial Corporation for the minority Programme we earnestly appeal you to address the above pertinent issues at the State Government as well as at Central Government and provide justice to our suffering Christian and minority communities.
- Since Kanddhamal district is highly populated with Christians, therefore we request you to declare all the blocks as minority blocks .
- The Adivasis must continue to avail reservation facilities as they are socially and economically backward.