Hindus and Christians Clash in India

Violence that began on Christmas Eve now in its fifth day.

Susan Wunderink

Hindu nationalists began burning churches and Christian houses in the east Indian state of Orissa on Christmas Eve. The violence continues, although today it seems to have abated somewhat.

Dozens are injured, many buildings have been destroyed, and the death toll is at 4 (three Hindus killed by police as they burned down the police station, and one Christian killed in the riots).

Compass Direct is reporting higher numbers than those confirmed by the police:

Jacob Pradhan, a Christian leader in Kandhamal district, told Compass that at least four Christians have been killed and more than 50 churches and 200 houses razed or damaged.

Telephone outages and VHP roadblocks made confirming reports "extremely difficult."

The Associated Press reported that,

On Thursday a mob of Hindus defied a curfew and burned down the house of Radhakant Nayak, a member of India's upper house of parliament and a Christian leader in the area, Nayak told the CNN-IBN news channel.
Also, 11 churches were ransacked and burned in Kandhamal district of Orissa state, the Press Trust of India quoted unnamed police officials as saying.

Meanwhile, in the village of Brahmangaon, a group of Christians burned down several Hindu homes in an apparent retaliation for the attack on churches. Angry Hindus then burned down the village police station, complaining of a lack of protection, a local police official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to reporters.

At least 25 people - both Christian and Hindu - have been arrested so far, and the federal government has announced that it will send in paramilitary troops.

The perpetrators claim that they were defending a Hindu leader who heads an anti-conversion campaign; Christians in Orissa say the attacks were to prevent a Christmas Eve performance that could have led to conversions; AP says it boils down to controversy over thousands of conversions to Christianity in the past few years, "Hindu groups have long charged Christian missionaries with trying to lure the poor and those who occupy the lowest rungs of Hinduism's complex caste-system away with promises of money and jobs."

The Orissa government has ordered a judicial probe into the attacks, in response to claims that the violence was not spontaneous but sponsored by saffron activists.

Time warns against chalking it all up to religion:

As with most communal violence in India, this latest explosion of hatred is the result not only of religious differences but of a tangled intersection of political power, communal prejudice and the injustices of Hinduism's archaic caste system.

However, in a place where religion permeates everything, it's not helpful to try to separate religion from political power, prejudice, or the caste system - especially as the hard-line Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is gaining power. Orissa is currently governed by a BJP ally.

Comments

How many people have seen news of this in the US media? My guess is very few. If anyone in your church is interested in what is going on in Orissa, or any other part of India, I urge you to do a google search on "Orissa Christmas Riot". Spread the word and make a difference.

God is doing great things among the Dalits of India. Even in the face of atrocities such as this.

Thank you!

~V~

Christianity is nothing but pure business. You people go to any extreme to market your God. Who said religious freedom in India is declining? All this is just your marketing strategy. India is so tollerent to u and in reply u r giving this!!!

Whatever has been published in your news item is mostly biased and false. Indian Hindus are not against conversion of people to other faiths, provided that is with one's free consent. But absence of consent or consent obtained by means having been declared illegal by an Act legislated by Peoples' Elected Representatives in the legislature renders such conversions unlawful. The Orissa Freedom of Religion Act, 1969 forbids conversion under duress, by fraud, allurement and cheating. All the conversions conducted so far are on poor and illiterate people among the tribes and the depressed caste who constitute more than 40% of the population in Orissa. The illegally converted Christians, later by education and enlightenment when realise that they are disadvantaged being separated from Hinduism, they come back to their original fold voluntarily 'en mass'. The Missionaries active in India have no explanation to the donors who pump millions of dollars to facilitate conversion in Orissa.This is the reality on the field. Hindus all over the world have, of late, become conscious of their hitherto unattended sense of duty towards their kinsmen. They are more organized than ever before to take care of their culture and community.

Let us not forget the basic tenet in journalism that the Facts are sacred, though comments are free.Please do not give publicity to falsehood, which might affect the public credibility that you have been enjoying, so far.

I would clearly can state that christian missionaries are helping the poor physically and emotionally, apart from spiritual or religious things,as much as they can where the Govt of India and the other charitable organisation couldnt do to the poor, including medical facilities. Missionaries are reaching the places where others couldnt reach, sacrificing their own life. I can strongly say that NONE OF THE CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES HAVE FORCED ANY BODY TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN. The people who have raised their hands against missionaries and chrisians must understand that BIBLE NEVER SAID THAT JESUS CAME TO THIS WORLD TO ESTABLISH THE RELIGION 'CHRISTIANITY'. BUT HE SHOWN THE WAY HOW TO LIVE MEANINGFUL LIFE including HELPING THE NEEDY and THE RIGHT WAY TO OUR CREATOR. If any one accepts, thats for their own benefit, and its entirely upto them to decide. No missionaries or christians are being awarded by anyone. So those who have determined to kill missionaries must think in their conscience and understand fully before they take anyone's life.

Where is the freedom of religon in India, the secular country? It is no less than any ofthe communnal countries in the world. Oh India come on, have your unity in diversity life.

I sometimes wonder if the oposit religion realy have time to study the word of GOD (BIBLE). I remenber the BIBLE say, thouch not my anointing & do my prophet no harm. They are realy coursing judgement upon them self, but i pray GOD forgive them, becouse they don't kno what they are doing.

Conversions in India is rampant among the poor tribes and the Dalits because they are poor and in need of money for sustenance.Conversion in lieu of service does not fill the heart as much as the belly.So all these conversions are superficial and the converted go back to their old and own faith at a later stage.The Church by converting the poor is creating a minority and asks for minority protection. Conversions have divided the society, damaged the social harmony and destroyed the village peace in India. Is it all that Jesus wanted for mankind?

Religion is often an issue. It's nice to know that people believe in something,

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