More violence in Orissa

04/09/2008

Damage caused during last year's violence

Orissa is a state in India with an all-too-recent history of persecution of Christians. Once again that history is repeating itself and anti-Christian violence has swept across Orissa.

Around Christmas last year, Christian churches, houses and shops were attacked, gutted and burned by Hindu fundamentalists, leaving nine people dead and hundreds of families living in relief camps or forests.

An Indian court order prohibiting the distribution of relief in the area was only overturned in April of this year and BMS World Mission was able to give a relief grant to local partners to help provide essential assistance.

A few weeks ago, a Hindu fundamentalist leader, Swami Lakhmananda Saraswati, was murdered (according to Indian police, probably by Maoist militants trying to secure support from Christian tribesmen), sparking renewed attacks on local Christians.

Reports of rape and murder, as well as reports from local churches of beatings, arson and mob violence on a large scale perpetrated by Hindu fundamentalists have been followed by eventual official condemnation of the violence.

Damage from last year's riots

Damage from last year's violence

Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, has called the violence "a national shame" and protests by Christians have taken place across India, including Delhi.
“BMS is monitoring the situation in Orissa closely and staying in contact with partners in the area,” said David McLellan, BMS Manager for Mission Partnerships.

“At this moment we have had no specific requests for relief grants, but we urge all Christians to pray for peace in the area and restitution for those who have suffered.”

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News from 2008