Fresh Killings in Orissa

The Times of India
NEW DELHI: Three persons have been killed in fresh firing in Gresinghia in Kandhamal district of Orissa according to TV channel Times Now.
Police fired at the mob after two communities clashed in the area. There are reports that some crude bombs were hurled in the area. Several houses were also torched at Raikia and Udayagiri. Even as community leaders called for peace, crude bombs were also hurled on Monday at two places and houses burned as the faith-fuelled fire of hatred refused to die out in Kandhamal. Reports from various parts of the district said blasts were directed at relief camps where Christian families, who have been targetted by Hindu activists since the August 23 killing of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, a local VHP leader who had spewed venom against conversions. While two crude bombs exploded in separate incidents at Baliguda and K Nuagaon areas on Sunday night, five houses were reportedly torched under Gochhapada police station area in Phirigia block, officials said. No injuries were reported in Monday's violence, the official toll in the ethnic and communal violence rose to 31 with the administration confirming recovery of one more body from Badasalunki river at Bisipada village near Phulbani. On Sunday, police found the body of Priyatamma Digal, an auxiliary nursing and midwife (ANM) worker, from the river. On Monday, the body of Meghanath, Priyatamma's husband, was fished out. The couple was killed last Thursday. Local administration held discussions with representatives of warring groups. Tribal Kandh leaders have in the last couple of days called for peace and have come to the negotiating table to talk with Dalit Pana, Christian and Hindu communities as well as some moderates. "We decided to form committees comprising representatives from all religions, communities and interested groups. Such committees would move around the district and appeal for peace and amity," said district collector Krishna Kumar, who chaired the meeting. He said committees should be on the ground on October 2, marking Gandhi Jayanti celebrations. The day has also been picked for holding "sadbhavana rallies".

PTI
At least 9 injured in clash in Kandhamal
Phulbani (Orissa), Sept 30 (PTI) At least nine persons were injured, two of them critically, when a mob attacked a village in Orissa's riot-hit Kandhamal district today, police said.Armed miscreants from outside entered Rudangia village under G Udaygiri police station and attacked the villagers, Kandhamal District Collector Krishan Kumar said. The movement of forces to the site was affected as roads were blocked by felling trees and large boulders placed in some areas, sources said.The injury figure could climb higher, the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) R P Koche said.Eyewitnesses claimed that exchange of fire had taken place between the two groups, but officials could not confirm it.Krishan Kumar said the village, located about 65 km from here, had high concentration of minorities and some of them were ex-servicemen.Sources added that nine persons were injured in the incident and some of them were admitted to G Udaygiri hospital for treatment.Of the injured, some had sustained bullet injuries, while others had wounds caused by sharp-edged weapons, hospital sources said. The condition of two was stated to be serious.

REUTERS
BHUBANESWAR, India (Reuters) - More than a dozen people were injured, some critically, after religious clashes in Orissa between Hindu and Christians, officials said.
Violence broke out at Rudangia village in Kandhamal district after Hindus attacked Christians, setting fire to their houses and burning a church, according to district collector Krishan Kumar.
The violence came after a string of attacks on Christians in three states which has left at least 33 people dead and dozens of churches damaged in the last month. Christians have responded with some violence in Orissa.
The clashes were sparked by the issue of religious conversion in Orissa's poor tribal region, home to many Christian missionary groups.
Clashes first erupted in Orissa last month after the killing of a Hindu leader linked to the main opposition Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. Police suspected Maoist rebels but many Hindus in the region blamed Christians.
More than 3,700 federal police have already been deployed in the area.
But violence has continued, especially in Kandhamal where thousands of Christians now live in government camps because their homes are destroyed or they are too fearful to return.
Religious clashes have also been reported in Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka.
India does not have a long history of attacks on minority Christians, but intolerance has risen in the past two decades with a revival of Hindu nationalism.

Thank you for visiting this blog..........

Here are some of our viewer's comments. Their prayers keep our mission going. It is your turn now. Read the new articles and news in the blog archive (at the right side)collected from various sources and pass it on to your friends. Send your feedbacks to cryforjustice@gmail.com


I've just gone through your presentation. It is well done without any melodrama or extreme views. Presenting facts as they are is bound to have a great impact.
Keep up the good work
Francis Parmar, SJ
Principal, St Xavier's College
Ahmadabad


Dear brothers in Christ. Leave everything to HIM and try to help out those who are suffering in HIS name. Thanks and for any help which I can afford in the name Christ please contact me.
With love
Royson


The power point is very well done, a good presentation. May God hear our cry for justice.
Roger Hedlund

I second what Mr. roger Hedlund has said. Also I would like to say that our persecutors do not know the power of the CROSS. Jesus told Abraham to tell his people to look at the Cross and be saved. But what are our persecutors doing……..disrespecting the Cross by climbing on it to put their flags on it.
A READER


Man has to account for everything at the end of the day, so let us pray & help the sufferings.
Reji, Dubai

When we the Christians keep quiet situation will go in an aggressive way. Instead we have to give our voice.With love in Christ Jesus.
Dhanaseelan W.R.

Excellent! You have done a wonderful job for the Risen Christ! Thank you for sending this.
Fr. Antony Kalliath, NBCLC, Bangalore

While I sit down twiddling my thumbs, wondering how efficacious prayer isI recall a saintly sage Fr. Ed Daly who shares 'that when fifty thousand meditated in Washington DC to bring down the crime rate, immediately 25% of the crime rate came down. The Peace Meditation by Swami Sachhidananda Bharati also encourages me to the breathing prayer as I walk on my many trips to schools, chanting the Jesus prayer. This sit-in-dharna is a great moment for me to experience the Power of Prayer as a congregation. Today my patron saint Margaret Mary asks me to be ready. "Greta when they beat you do not worry, you will become 'Mar-greta' Until then I simply carry out the mission of moral education in 7-8 schools which is a great joy for me so that I can share my God experience with others. Awaiting a Great Experience of a United Bharatthro the blessing of Bharat Mata Mary
Greta

I want to thank you for your information of the Persecution in several States in India. May God bless your efforts to spread the truth and information on Persecution of Christians which many are not aware. I shall pray for your efforts.
Keep up the good fight! May God bless you.
Fr.Cruice Sanjivi, C.Ss.R.

Praise the Lord !
Prayer, Fasting & penance for the world is not enough from our part. It is the time of re- thinking and purification of the lives of priests & nuns. We failed in many ways to give witness to our people in spreading His Kingdom. Each consecrated person should be a sanctuary.
At the same time we must seek all the ways and means to get all legal support. No blood shed, No killing lives but forgive grant all the possible help to all the people who are suffering in Orissa / any where without caste / creed. But we use our pen as our mighty sword to give awareness & to think and to guide our people. I believe God Almighty has some plan and He is with us in our warfare and already reacted. His Love & anger.
Love & Prayers.
Provincial Superior CTC
Kottayam


The first thing that we as Christians have to do is to get on our knees and pray , because the Bible clearly says such times will come , depends on weather we can stand the test of faith and stand firmly for the faith that you have even if it is to lay your life for the sake of the Lord. We cannot wrestle against the principalities and powers of this world, so all these efforts may not help as much as prayer does,
Dheeraj Samuel

Quite true! We can only pray that the Hindu fanatics realize the real truth and abstain from further atrocities against Christianity.
K.K. Joseph

Dear brother in Christ,
Thank u very much for preparing and designing the wonderful and effective slides and sending me. May god bless you richly
Br.HKC, DELHI,INDIA


Our brothers and sisters are suffering in various parts of the country, and life is just normal for the other Christians? We must do something to save them, or at least improve their condition. Wouldn't our Muslim brethren do something if their folk are suffering?
Of course, we must not resort to violent methods as it is against our religion, but we must do SOMETHING to show our displeasure to the public...and that this is not to be continued. Don't you agree?
Bridgette George

"Thank you for your detailed description, also using the actual images. Horrible, unimaginable, shocking!!! Why delay in restoring the secular nature of our nation? O God of Justice, act now. Guide all the Indians especially the nationaL LEADERS with Divine wisdom to restore peace, justice and freedom."
Fr.Tommy UCMF

"THE POWERPOINT IS VERY WELL DONE, A GOOD PRESENTATION.May God hear our cry for justice." Roger Hedlund

"I feel we must approach UN and western media so that they can take actionagainst India like granting visa excluding Hindus. Hindu militantorganisations like VHP, Bajrang Dal should be banned across the Christiancountries. They are in operation in the US, England, Europe,etc." Mathew Joseph

"we must conduct continues chain prayers,because prayers are so powerfull and never fails.At the same time give wide publicity to every possible ways so that every nation has to comment on the issue."

Antony Joseph

"Where is Media? busy covering Bihar flood & terrorist attack in Capital..why VHP, Bajrang Dal brutality is neglected...??? " TOMES

"No brutality can stop our faith. So these people who going against Chritians remember no matter what you do our faith grow stronger and stronger each day. "

George CJ

" We all are human beings with fundamental rights.As a democratic republic,this is the duty of the country to protect humanrights. Lets the time to start our battle with peace and harmony for rights. " Arun Francis

"Does any religion allow this – Is this not Terrorism. Keeping quite about it will not help – Christians, do not retaliate, we are willing to die as Martyrs, however, are these people willing to face God and justify their actions? Please raise your voices, against the atrocities committed, in the name of religion. I am an Indian, and am proud of being a Chrisitian." A reader

"I would like the leaders of the Church, especially the bishops to come together, consult and pray together and form a united strategy to face the persecution. We hear only isolated voices. Will the Shepherds run away when the sheep is attacked ?"
K. T. Antony

"The entire church should observe 40 days mourning (prayer and fast) as in the Old Testament. I am sure God will act."
Theresa Joseph, Delhi

"Most of the Christians including priests have not realized the magnitude of violence and its implication. Unless we conscientize our own people how will we survive?"
Tony Tete

"Christianity flourished wherever it was persecuted. It is the time of God’s intervention."
Sr. Stella

"Thank you for the presentation, we will continue our prayers." Vinitha

US Legislators concerned about violence

United States Legislators Concerned about Violence Targeting Christians in Orissa

Seven United States members of the House of Representatives sent a letter on Sept. 4, 2008, to India’s Ambassador to the U.S., Ronen Sen, expressing concern about attacks on Christians in Orissa state. Also, on Sept. 3, 2008, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom called for action to stop the violence and accountability within India.
There are still sporadic reports of anti-Christian attacks from the eastern state of Orissa. The violence has entered its 15th day despite the emergency deployment of Central law enforcement troops. Attacks began on Aug. 23, 2008, after the murder of a controversial Hindu swami by unknown assailants.
Dr. Joseph D’souza, President of the All India Christian Council (aicc) said, “The global community is alarmed at the breakdown of law and order in Orissa, and rightly so. The widespread, continuing attacks on innocent Christians and violations of their human rights is unprecedented in India’s history. We welcome the concern of US politicians and all global citizens who believe in freedom of religion. As a proud Indian, I’m grieved that our democratic ideals are being hijacked by religious extremists.”
The seven American legislators were: Trent Franks, Chris Smith, Bill Sali, Robert Aderholt, Bob Inglis, Mark Souder, and Joseph R. Pitts. Excerpts of the letter: “We unequivocally condemn the murder of the Swami, yet we are also appalled to see how mob violence has taken root so quickly once again… The reports of brutal killings and the widespread destruction of property…are extremely disturbing and we strongly urge the Government of India to maintain a strong security presence to guarantee the protection of vulnerable communities which are facing the immediate risk of violence and death. …We urge the Government of India to take immediate steps to investigate these events and bring justice for the victims of the violence. In order to prevent future attacks, it is imperative that the government also address the climate fostering these attacks. India, with its great religious diversity, faces considerable challenges with communalism, but a democratic government must work to ensure the security and freedom of all its citizens.”

Dharna at Jantar Mantar

Christians of Delhi are organizing a sit in dharna from 26th September, 2008 to 2nd October, 2008. This decision was taken at a meeting attended by all Heads of Churches, Bishops, Priests, Pastors, Religious and many lay leaders of Delhi. I am writing to you to inform you the details as well as to seek your wholehearted co-operation for this dharna.

The details of the dharna are as follows:
Venue : Jantar Mantar, New Delhi
Date & Time : 26th September 10:00 am till 2nd October 5:00 pm.
Conclusion : With peace march to Rajghat.

Since this dharna will go on day and night for a whole week, we have worked out a date & time schedule for people from different areas to participate

CHurch Attacked in Delhi

Delhi: A frenzied mob of around more than a thousand Hindutva radicals having affiliation to the Bajrang Dal and RSS vandalized the Rehma Faith Church pastored by Issac Mallick on September 17, 2008 in Peeragarhi, New Delhi.While speaking to Evangelical Fellowship of India, Pastor Mallick informed us that the miscreants forcibly barged into the church and destroyed the wall of the church; they further brought down the roof of the church and threatened the pastor for not conducting the worship service again.Thereafter again on September 18th the ravaged mob of around 400 radicals arrived again at the Church at around 12 pm with saffron flags and trishul (trident) and accused the pastor of forcible conversions and completely brought down the church. In front of the media and the police the mob pelted stones on the Christians who were present at the church. In this onslaught 3 church members along with a child received injuries.Speaking to EFI, SHO Mr. Sanjeev Tomar of Paschim vihar, Delhi informed us that a complain has been registered and police protection has been provided infront of the Church.EFI requests prayers for the safety and wellbeing of Christians in Jabalpur and Delhi. We request you to voice your concerns at these addresses:

Christians implicated in false cases in Punjab

Bhatinda (Punjab): Until recently, members of BJP, RSS, Bajrang Dal, Shiv Sena and VHP would either attack Christians directly or use the media to accuse the Christians of Conversion. But since the formation of the coalition government between Akali Dal (B) & BJP in Punjab, they have started using some of the members of the Sikh Community against Christians.On September 10th 2008, Police arrested a local evangelist Bahadur Giri along with two Christians Daljeet and Malkait Singh under Section 295A on charges of burning the Sikh Holy Scriptures. After 5 days of police custody the three were bailed out on September 15th, but a case has been registered against them in the court.On September 16th 2008, another Christian convert Balkaran Singh was arrested under the above mentioned charges without any proof whatsoever. Later he was released on bail.Around 30 pastors from different districts of Punjab met the District Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police of District Bathinda and submitted a memorandum stating Cases of Christians being falsely implicated.EFI requests prayers for the Christians in above mentioned States to remain firm in their faith.

attacks in kerala as well

Kochi (Kerela): Two churches, that stand on adjoining compounds one of them among the oldest in India, were vandalized by unidentified people in the early hours of Sunday on September 21 at Akapparambu in Nedumbassery panchayat, about 35 km from Kochi city, Kerala.According to reports, a seven-foot statue of Christ in the cemetery of the 467-year-old Garvasis and Prothasis Church, belonging to the Syro-Malabar Church denomination, was broken and the pedestal was knocked off.The Mar Sabore, a Syrian Cathedral Church, which was adjacent to it was also desecrated. It was the cleaning employee at the cathedral who first noticed that the holy chamber in which the sandalwood cot of St. Paulose Mar Athanasius Valiya Thirumentni was kept was damaged.Fr. Paulose Arackaparambil, vicar at the cathedral church while talking to the media stated that the glass windows must have been smashed between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.The cathedral, said to have been built in 825 A.D., is one of the ancient churches of the Jacobites.

The Trail of Violence, Latest in Dehradun

Dehradun: 2 missionaries Found Murdered
PTI
Dehradun, Sep 22: Sixty-year-old Father Samuel and Sister Mercy, 35, were found dead in separate rooms at their ashram "Samarpanalaya" at Chhota Rampur, police said.
Preliminary investigations showed both were strangulated, they said adding their bodies had been sent for post-mortem to ascertain the exact cause of the death.
The bodies, tied with ropes, were found by a watchman of the hermitage who immediately informed police.
All the belongings in the two rooms were found scattered, police said adding this might have been done to mislead investigators.
Father Samuel alias Swami Aste, who hails from Meerut, was living in the ashram for the past 20 years. Sister Mercy was from Delhi.
Senior police officers visited the scene and were supervising investigations.
The Congress condemned the attack and asked the Centre to take action against the BJP government in Uttarakhand.
The Centre recently issued advisories to Karnataka and Orissa governments under article 355 in the wake of attacks on Christians and churches in the two states.
Dehradun: Fr Samuel (Sadhu Asthya) of Meerut Diocese Murdered

Daijiworld Media Network - Dehradun (MM/SP)
Dehradun, Sep 22: In a tragic incident, a priest in Meerut diocese was brutally murdered by the miscreants on Saturday September 20.
The deceased person has been identified as Fr Samuel (50). Fr Samuel was widely known as Sadhu Ashtya and he was dressing like the Sadhus here. He was running an Ashram in a place called Chota Rampur in Meerut district, which is 27 kilometers away from Dehradun. He was also engaged in growing agricultural crops in seven acres of land of the Ashram.
Sources say that he went missing since the last two days and was found dead on Monday September 22. He was murdered through strangulation with the help of his shawl. Meanwhile, his hands were tied behind his back. The police suspect that the murder was committed on Saturday September 20. Senior police officers of Uttaranchal state have rushed to the spot and initiated the probe.

http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=51491&n_tit=Dehradun%3A%20Fr%20Samuel%20%28Sadhu%20Asthya%29%20of%20Meerut%20Diocese%20Murdered

The World Reacts... It is Your Turn Now?

Dubai: All Community Meet Condemns Church Attacks in Mangalore

Dubai, Sep 21: The solidarity show around the world against the unwanted violence in Karnataka continued as members for all communities in Dubai gathered together to condemn the attacks on Churches in India and Mangalore in particular at the Winny’s Restaurant at Karama at 7.30 pm, Sunday Sep 21.
The meeting was initiated by members of different communities of the coastal region.

The main speakers were Dayan Dsouza, representing the Catholic community, B G Mohandas of the Hindu community and Irshad Moodubidri of the Muslim community.
A large number of office bearers of various associations and community leaders made a packed gathering at the Winny’s Restaurant hall to show solidarity with the people who suffered back home due to communal unrest earlier last week.
Dayan D'Souza, well known community leader and orator spoke first. He said, 'People of Tulunadu are peace loving, be it a Muslim, Hindu or Christian. Tulunadu cuisines are world famous . Tulunadu culture is so beautiful, but this unrest has happened in Tulu Nadu?. Christians in Tulunadu, though a minority , gained lot of respect from all communities . There was hardly any violence from Christian communities back home. Even Hindus are peace loving and friendly people. A true Hindu will not do such barbaric acts” he said.
'For the first time helpless women and nuns where beaten up by the police. Catholics were never accused of conversions. Why should this has happen all of sudden? What power is behind this? Let us not blame all Hindus, let us not put a question mark after the name of each Hindu. Instead , let the government find out the truth . Let us keep up the pressure on the government. We all here today to condemn the incidents that have happened back home' he said
Irshad Moodubidri, a well known Kannada author and journalist spoke from his heart. 'No religion teaches violence. But bad sects of every religion always create problems.” He said . “ Look at Islam where a majority of Muslims follow true Islam and live by the teachings of the Holy Quran. But a handful of them cross the border, forget their true religion and go against it by disturbing the national security with all kinds of violence."
'It is very sad that people who incite violence in the name of religion never bother about the development of the region or nation. Look at some of the pathetic conditions of the roads in Mangalore. These same fanatics can use their resources and time on repairing the roads or develop the city, instead of damaging public and religious places. The acts of attacking churches must be condemned in one voice' he said
B G Mohandas, former professor , thinker, writer and editor of gulfkannadiga.com a popular Kannada language website spoke on various issues related to the Mangalore communal violence. 'I cannot bear to see my home town so badly disturbed. We are Indians first and then Hindus, Muslims or Christians. We all hail from the coastal region and are united at this moment. Indians abroad are well educated and have respect for each other. They rise above religion when they meet fellow Indians here. I myself have studied in Catholic institutions and so also my children. I have great regard for catholic institutions. I do not understand why these 'unemployed' people should target Churches, priests and nuns . What has happened in the coastal district and other parts of Karnataka is sad, and it pains me a lot” . he said.
He went on to say that “ violence was politically motivated, and there is no gain for ordinary people.'
He urged all those fanatics who trouble others in the name of religion to go to the villages and serve the poor and maintain their religious faith and not by stoning and destroying sacred prayer centres and churches.
Other noted leaders, Ganesh Rai, Prabhakar Ambalthere, Arshad, Ronald Saby, Prakash Payyar, Herman Lewis also aired their views and offered their suggestions.
It was decided that a memorandum be sent to the President and Prime Minister of India and the Governor of Karnataka along with a signature campaign.
Alwyn Pinto, compered the event, welcomed the gathering and proposed the vote of thanks.
Members of association like Mangalore Konkans, SMKC, KCO ABu Dhabi, Emirates Paradela, Sharjah Karnataka Sangha, DaijiDubai, Jebeli Ali (JAAKC), Karnataka NRI Forum, regional Associations like, Pamboor, Kanajar, Katapady Konkans, Karaval Milan, Pernal, Pangla, Udentichem Neketram, Ferar, Kemmannu Flowers, Omzoor, Bellevion, Belman, Mudarangady, Thottam, Konkan Yuva, SMKC, Konkani Cahrismatic, Puttur, Byndoor, Perampalli, Shirva, Udyavar, and others were present
Canada: Mangalorean Association Holds Solidarity Prayer Meet
By Gerry D’Mello, BendurDaijiworld media network, Canada
Canada, Sep 21: A Prayer Service and a Holy Mass was organized by the Mangalorean Association of Canada (MAC) on Saturday, September 20, 2008 at Sts.Martha & Mary Church, Mississauga, Canada, for peace in India and as a sign of solidarity towards our Christian brethren suffering in Mangalore.
The theme of the Mass was forgiveness. Fr. Edwin D'Souza, Spiritual Director of MAC and the Parish Priest of Sts. Martha & Mary Church was the celebrant. Ronald Fernandes, the Vice-President of the Association, welcomed the gathering. Lydia Lobo, Janet D’Souza & Ronald D’Souza were the lectors during the Holy Mass.
The Mass was well attended by a large crowd and there was a prayerful and devotional ambience in the Church. The melodious Choir was arranged and well conducted by Merlyn Rodrigues. At the end of the Mass, the President Maxim D'Mello delivered a key note message and assured the gathering that an Appeal would be initiated, signed and forwarded to the Indian Consulate in Toronto and the Canadian Authorities ASAP for ACTION! He thanked everyone for attending the Holy Mass & showing their solidarity.
After the Holy Mass everyone was invited for a reception at the Knights of Columbus’ Hall for refreshments. It was truly heartening to see that the Indo-Catholics were rushing to sign the Appeal. The Appeal addressed to the Hon. Prime Minister of India emphasized on:
• Ensuring justice to the perpetrators of this abhorrence and brutality; especially the guardians of our society, the police.• Protecting the constitutional and religious rights of Christians in Mangalore, Karnataka and throughout India.• Providing compensation to Churches and Schools that were rampaged and damaged and also to all the victims that were assaulted.• Initiating measures to prevent this catastrophe from reoccurring in any minority groups all over India.
Hats off to Maxim D’Mello, the dynamic President of Mangalorean Association of Canada & all the Executive Committee members for their spirit-filled hard work in organizing a prayer service of this kind in such a short span. The support rendered by the Indo-Catholics who attended this service in large numbers showing their solidarity to their motherland India was really praiseworthy.

Tel Aviv: Indian Catholics in Israel Pray for Persecuted Brethern in India

Report from Preeti Roshan MonteiroPics: Praveen Lobo OmzoorDaijiworld Media Network - Tel Aviv (SP) Tel Aviv, Sep 20: The Konkan Catholic Sanghatan (KCS) in Israel organized rosary, adoration of the blessed sacrament and mass in Konkani, to pray for the Christians persecuted in India, at 7.30 pm on Friday September 19, at St Anthony Church Yaffo, Tel-Aviv. Nearly 500 Catholics were present on this Occasion.
Fr Anthony Rodrigues, parish priest of St Francis Xavier Church Chandavar (Karwar diocese) led the Adoration and Fr Boniface Pinto, director of Mangala Jyothi Mangalore, Fr Hilary Lobo, parish priest of Tacode church, Fr Charles Menezes of Jabalpur diocese and Fr Tofique, parish priest of St Antony Church, Yaffo, Tel-Aviv were present during the mass.
Later, KCS handed over a Sum of 2,250 USD (about one lac rupees) towards the Medical Aid Fund of Mangalore diocese, to Fr Boniface Pinto. The collection was made by conducting a lucky dip.

Church Attacks: MCA Doha Sends Petition to President of India, PM

Doha, Sep 18: The Advisory & Executive committee members of the Mangalore Cultural Association Doha Qatar met on Wednesday 17th September 2008 at 6 pm at the residence of Felix Lobo to condemn the atrocious episode that has taken place in Mangalore. All the members came to a common conclusion that this incident should never be taken lightly and a sturdy action should be taken against these anti social elements that have destructed the peaceful environment of Mangalore. Mangalorean Christians all over the world should join together and raise one voice against these brutal acts which have vandalized our holy places and destroyed our church properties.
The members strongly opposed the cruel act by the police force on innocent people not even sparing Women, students and religious nuns. Mention was made to pressurize the authorities about unconditionally releasing all the innocent Christians who have been imprisoned without any fault of theirs. So a petition was drafted and signed by many members and their friends who have strongly criticized this incident.
This petition was addressed to the President of India and the Prime Minister of India through the Embassy of India in Qatar. The Advisory committee member Mr. Felix Lobo and the President of the MCA Mr. Harry Lobo met His Excellency George Joseph, Ambassador of India in Qatar on 18th September 2008 and handed over the petition to Him. In this petition request has also been made to give us Justice and provide us Safety in our own Motherland.
MCA Doha Qatar appeals to all the Mangalorean associations throughout the world to openly condemn this act and join the crusade.

Kuwait: prayer Service for Peace and SolidarityReport & pics by Wilson & Priya Saldanha, Shirthady/Kuwait
Kuwait, Sep 18: In view of the ongoing attacks on Catholic places of worship in and around Mangalore, representatives of Indian Catholics in Kuwait held a special “Prayer Service for Peace & Solidarity” on Thursday 18th September 2008 at 6:00 PM at the Cathedral auditorium. The program was held under the guidance of Rev. Fr. Melvyn D’Cunha.
The apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Monged El- Hachem, Fr. Mathews, Sr. Mariolita, Fr. Melvyn D’Cunha, Archie Menezes, Elias Sanctis and Wilson Coelho were present on the dais for expressing the views on behalf of gathering. Rudy compared the program.
Archie Menezes briefed the incident happened in English whereas Elias Sanctis delivered speech in Konkani. Elias explained the need of Mangalorean Catholic’s participation in politics, higher government posts and politics which will help in supporting to protect our rights. Goan Welfare Society president Wilson Coelho expressed his views and extended support of Goan community to Mangaloreans.
Fr. Mathew from Kerala state asked everyone to unite under one banner of Christ forgetting region and languages and show unity. He also asked the Catholics not to be violent and to be moralistic. Nuncio Archbishop Monged El- Hachem said that the whole world is shocked with the news as India is known for tolerance and famous for communal harmony. The program came to an end with hymns, prayer and blessing of holy sacrament.
The service was arranged by the call of Catholic Associations in Kuwait namely, Kuwait Canara Welfare Association, Shirva Welfare Association, Kundapur Varado Welfare Association, Agnesian Alumnae Kuwait, Aloysian Alumni Kuwait, Kuwait Pangla Association, Kanajar Welfare Association, Belman Welfare Association, United Derebalites, Goan Welfare Society, Kala Mogi Kuwait and Carmel Convent sisters.

Muscat: Catholics’ Meet Condemns Attacks on Christians in Mangalore

Muscat, Sep 18: Following the recent attack over the Christian faith in Mangalore an alert and concern has seized all over the globe, among Mangalorean Christian Community in particular. Mangalorean Catholics in residing in the Muscat, Sultanate of Oman gathered on September 19, 2008 at the Al Arsalan Restaurant Hall to discuss and bring forward their concern about the incidents happening at their home town and the Christian Churches in and around Karnataka.
The gathering was attended by some of the reputed members of the Mangalorean Catholic faith. The occasion was conducted by Clarence Donald Pinto, while the gathering was welcomed by the veteran of Muscat’s Konkani community Stanley T H Fernandes. The concerns and the agony of the gathering were put forward by three people, namely Nelson D’ Silva, Denis Mascarenhas and Chris Vas.













Nelson as he addressed the gathering said Catholic people and missionaries have always been a reason for the welfare of the society and people of Mangalore. They have always welcomed all religions and faith in equal manner with no barriers of caste and creed. He also added saying that this is a call for Catholics to show that we are witnesses of Christ and we should work diligently to bring back the society into its own normal form. Denis Mascarenhas stated that this is a time for forgiveness and we should reconcile with the people who have done wrong to us as Christ has taught us.
Chris Vas put forward her views about the good deeds done by the youth to safe guard the churches in this hour of need. She said the youth have worked selflessly towards protecting the people around and the morality of the Christian faith.
The congregation then formed a Core Committee to work towards this injustice happening to the Christians in Mangalore. The committee will be lead by Stanley T H Fernandes along with nine other dynamic members namely Donald Pinto, Henry Martis, Francis Aranha, Suraj Rebbelo, Pressilla Machado, Chris Vas, Benedict Pereira, Nelson D’ Silva and Clarence Pinto. It was then decided that the memorandum will be drafted from the core committee stating the concerns following the recent incidents happening in Mangalore. The appeal will narrate the Achievements by the Catholic people and the institutions to the Mangalorean society and mankind. It will narrate the incidents happened from September 14 to 16.
Memorandum will be submitted to the Ambassador of India in Muscat on Saturday September 20.

Bangalore Bishop Reacts

Bangalore Bishop slams Karnataka CM
In Karnataka, two more churches have been attacked in Bangalore -- St James' and the Holy Name of Jesus Church on the outskirts of the city. Once again, the police say it could be theft, but haven't ruled out the Bajrang Dal. The Achbishop of Bangalore had some strong words for Chief Minister Yedyurrappa. He said that Christianity in Karnataka was hurt, perhaps the most ridiculous claim by the Karnataka police is that these attacks on the churches are theft.And what about the Chief Minister's reaction to the attack on Christians in his state? He blames the central government.The Archbishop of Kanataka Diocese, Bernard Mores, didn't mince words when B S Yeddyurappa came calling to the Bishop's house in Bangalore. He told the CM that the Christian community was not happy with the way churches were being vandalised. The police had dismissed the attack on two churches in Bangalore on Sunday as a case of theft."We are very hurt, we cannot express our feelings, it is Jesus for us, it is God for us, what will you do if Ganpati is destroyed. The whole church of Karnataka is very hurt," said Bernard Mores, Archbishop of Bangalore Diocese."There is a connection that he has seen between the Mangalore and Bangalore church attacks. These are planned attacks and not a case of theft," said Mores.After the advisory from the Centre post the Mangalore incidents, the BJP government had deployed the Karnataka Reserve police in churches across the state. Yeddyurappa however was upset with the Centre for its warning to the state government, accusing it of double standards."Why did the centre fail to issue a warning to other states when there were problems there? The people of Karnataka need to take note of this," said B S Yeddyurappa.Meanwhile, Mahendra Kumar, the convenor of the Bajrang Dal Karnataka unit, who was arrested on Friday, was released on bail. Kumar had claimed responsibility for the attacks on churches in Mangalore.While the situation in Karnataka remains tense, the BJP government is clearly caught in a tight spot. Will Yeddyurappa work towards appeasing the Christians or save himself from an opposition demanding a complete dismissal of the BJP government.
http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080066342&ch=9/22/2008%2010:52:00%20PM

Security has been tightened at places of worship of the minority Christian community after attacks on churches in the southern Indian state of Karnataka.
Police and security guards have been deployed outside churches and prayer halls, officials said.
On Monday, the Archbishop of Bangalore city told the state government that the community felt "very hurt".
In the past week, more than 20 churches have been desecrated by the Hindu hardline group Bajrang Dal.
The group's leader in the state, Mahendra Kumar, is under arrest.
He has admitted his group carried out the initial attacks on churches in the state, saying Hindus were being illegally converted to Christianity in the area.
Christian leaders have denied the charge and said that the state's governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was inciting violence instead of calming the tense situation in the state.
Christians say lower-caste Hindus convert willingly to escape the Hindu caste system.
Anger
Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa has been severely criticised for failing to prevent the desecration of churches, including two in the state capital, Bangalore.
On Monday, he ordered the deployment of police and guards outside churches.
The chief minister said those responsible for the attacks would be prosecuted under the tough "Goonda Act" which provides for detention for three months.

The Church in Karnataka is 'wounded', the archbishop says
However, the Christian community's anger manifested itself at a meeting between Mr Yeddyurappa and Bangalore's Archbishop Bernard Moraes.
"We are very hurt. I am saying it publicly. What will you do if a temple is destroyed," the Archbishop asked the chief minister?
"The Church in Karnataka is wounded," he said.
The archbishop has demanded action against those responsible for the acts of vandalism as well as against policemen who allegedly assaulted nuns, women and children during a protest by the Christian community.
Police arrested more than 100 protestors accused of turning violent after several churches were vandalised in the coastal city of Mangalore, 350 km (217 miles) from Bangalore, on 14 September.
Christian leader and MP HT Sangliana has said the government had to act against Hindu militant groups like the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).
He has criticised the government for its failure to rein in radical Hindu groups who have taken to violence in the name of fighting conversions.
The BJP government has denied the charge and said more than 270 people have been arrested.
Recent anti-Christian violence in Karnataka - and in the eastern state of Orissa - have led to calls for a ban on the Bajrang Dal and VHP.
Orissa has seen anti-Christian violence for several weeks now.
At least 20 people - most of them Christians - were killed after a Hindu religious leader there was shot dead.

Radio Australia Report on Hindu - Christain Clashes

Three churches near India's southern city of Bangalore have been ransacked by suspected Hindu extremists, despite a government crackdown on anti-Christian attacks. Police believe a right-wing Hindu group vandalised the churches, and have arrested their leader. More than two dozen churches have now been attacked in the southern state of Karnataka over the past week. It follows similar clashes in the eastern state of Orissa in which up to 20 people died. Karnataka's 2.5 million Christians say they're being targetted for opposing the violence in Orissa.

Presenter: Murali Krishnan
Speakers: Junior home minister Sri Prakash Jaiswal; Vinod Bansal a spokesperson for the Vishwa Hindu Parishad; Father Babu Joseph of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India

• Listen:
• Windows Media

KRISHNAN: The wave of violence and destruction follows weeks of anti-Christian militancy in the eastern state of Orissa in which 20 people have been killed and thousands forced to flee from their homes and take refuge in the surrounding jungles. Tension still runs high in many parts of the state. But the sudden spurt of anti-Christian violence in Karnataka, which has until now spared the large-scale clash between Christians and Hindus, is causing major concern to the government in New Delhi. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government has despatched a fact-finding team, comprising members of the National Minorities Commission (NCM) and National Commission for Women (NCW). Junior home minister Sri Prakash Jaiswal also led a delegation to Bhubaneshwar, Orissa's state capital to get a first hand account of the situation.

JAISWAL: We have come to Bhuwaneshwar to conduct an on the spot assessment especially to find why the situation has so rapidly deteriorated. The delegation will go to the various places hit by violence.

KRISHNAN: The seeds for the current conflict were planted on August 23, when a Hindu leader, Laxmananda Saraswati, and four others were killed in the district of Kandhamal in Orissa after 20 to 30 gunmen barged into a Hindu school and began shooting. At the heart of the violence is anger among rightwing Hindu groups such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal over the issue of conversions to Christianity, especially among members of the Dalit and other "untouchable" classes. Vinod Bansal a spokesperson for the Vishwa Hindu Parishad says his organisation was not responsible for the violence but warned that it will escalate unless conversions stopped.

BANSAL: (We) had nothing to do with this violence. This violence is only a reaction of the community, there and then, to do with this large scale conversion, and the atrocities being imposed by these Christian missionaries. The violence can end only by apprehending the persons responsible in India. Unless you stop conversions in India, then this violence will recur in future also. Because this totally destabilise the country's national security, and the emotions of the countrymen.

KRISHNAN: In Orissa, fearful Christians have been forced to reconvert back to Hinduism to save themselves from being killed by the mobs, who have destroyed hundreds of churches and homes. Police said the violence in Karnataka was led by the right-wing Hindu Bajrang Dal organisation, and that attackers on motorcycles had gone to each church during prayers, sending worshippers fleeing for their lives. Father Babu Joseph of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India says the magnitude of violence this time was huge. He refused to name the outfits involved but said the Hindu groups were creating social unrest.

JOSEPH: This time the magnitude is much more than ever before. Particularly in Orissa, for about three weeks it has been going on and on, and nearly 50,000 people have lost their homes, and institutions have been destroyed, and unfortunately it has now also spread to Karnataka, particularly this area, where a lot of Christian population is there. The most unfortunate part is that some organisations representing, or allegedly representing Hindu community, are taking the law in their hands and trying to create social disturbances by targeting Christian community and Christian institutions.

KRISHNAN: Orissa has historically been a tinderbox of Hindu-Christian tensions that has often seen clashes between the two communities. In January 1999, Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two young sons were killed when a mob set fire to the vehicle in which they were sleeping outside a church in Manoharpur, a tribal village in the Keonjhar district. Hindus account for 83 percent of India's more than 1 billion population, while Christians make up 2.4 percent. The fresh round of violence has led many in the Christian community to fear for their calm. 

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/programguide/stories/200809/s2370443.htm 

Part of a hidden agenda

By Joseph Marques, Chief Sub-Editor
Published: September 22, 2008, 00:04

For the past few weeks, a systematic attack is being carried out on the Christian minority in India. It started in an eastern state called Orissa and the flames have spread to Karnataka, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh, where a number of churches and other Christian places of worship have been desecrated. The anti-Christian violence began when a Hindu religious leader, who was opposed to conversion of tribals to Christianity, was killed in Orissa. Hindu fundamentalists blame the Christians for the heinous act, although Maoists who are active in that area have claimed responsibility.

Indians, by nature are secular, and most of them have condemned the atttacks on the Christians. However, little they do know that the anti-Christian campaign is part of the larger plot of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad, collectively called as the Sangh Parivar, to implement their hidden fascist agenda of establishing a Hindu state. This was made clear by the RSS ideologue, the late M.S. Golwalkar. In his book A bunch of thoughts, he pointed out that "the Muslims, the Christians and the Communists" were preventing the formation of a Hindu state and the destruction of the secular constitution of the country.

As such, it does not come as a surprise that Christians are now being targeted in states ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party - the frontal political organisation of the RSS - and its allies. For decades, the Muslims and the Communists have been at the receiving end of the Sangh Parivar, and it is now the turn of the Christians. The fascists, who don the garb of nationalism, forget that the adherents of Islam and Christianity in India are not foreigners, but very much Indian in race and creed, unlike most members of the RSS who are mostly Aryans (Brahmins) and can trace their roots to Central Asia.

 

Question

Christians constitute hardly 2.3 per cent of the Indian population, and if at all some tribes and tribals are changing their beliefs, then the question that needs to be asked is why are they doing so? It is because they had been oppressed for far too long by the rigid and watertight compartmentalised caste system. Although, they are classified as Hindus, most of them are animists and occupy the lowest rung of the Hindu social strata with some of them even termed as the untouchables.

Man by nature aspires for social mobility. And if the tribes and tribals on their own free will break the cycle of karma and fatalism to climb the social ladder, then it is their wish. At the same time, they should neither be coerced nor bribed by proselytisers to change their way of living.

In a predominantly Hindu India, protection of religious minorities, be they Muslims, Christians, Sikhs or Zorastrians, is enshrined in the country's constitution. The preamble itself says that India is a sovereign, socialist, secular and democratic republic. The fundamental rights give its citizens the privilege to profess and practice any religion. Each fibril of the various religions, languages, races, ethnicities, cultures and traditions is interwoven to form the fabric that is India and which in turn lends it its uniqueness in the comity of nations. Even if one of the strands is cut, the country will lose its hue and luster. As such, the recent atrocities that are committed against the minority communities are diabolical attempts to rip apart the secular and multi-party political system that has given the minorities a voice.

Moreover, communal upheaval sprouts 'defenders of the faith' from amongst the victimised community. And when they retaliate, they are termed as "terrorists". So far, Indian Christians have shown the other cheek. However, comments made on blogs indicate that their pacifist nature is wearing thin. They should not cross the line; for if they do so, then that would be a victory for the fascist forces because anarchy is what they want.

Remember, Hitler's National Socialists (Nazis) never won a parliamentary majority. They usurped power by raising the bogey of internal emergency.

http://www.gulfnews.com/opinion/columns/world/10246771.html 

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Christians a New Target

Although Christians were described as internal enemies in Guru Golwalkar's catechism of hate, "Bunch of Thoughts", they were not targeted by the Sangh Parivar - the right-wing Hindu nationalist political grouping - as systematically as at present.

The Parivar's primary enemies were always the Muslims. They were accused of having invaded the country from the eighth century onwards, destroyed temples during the medieval period and finally partitioned the country in 1947. Islamic terrorism is the latest addition to this list of sins.

Now, however, the wrath of the saffron brotherhood, led by the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), has turned on the Christians with attacks against them by the Hindutva warriors in states ranging from Orissa to Karnataka to Kerala.

About a decade ago, Gujarat also saw such depredations by the saffron activists, mainly in the Dangs area. The state is mercifully quiet now, presumably because Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Chief Minister Narendra Modi has realised that murder and mayhem directed against the minorities, as in the 2002 riots, can hinder the state's economic development - apart from depriving him of a visa to visit the US.

At the time of the outbreak in the Dangs, Orissa too saw the beginnings of violence against Christians. The most heinous incident was the burning alive of the Australian missionary, Graham Staines, and his two young sons in 1999.

For the RSS the work of the missionaries has always been like a red rag to a bull. It regards religious conversions as an assault on Hindu belief and culture and has, therefore, started its own drive to reconvert the Christians back into their original faith.

The violence in the Kandhamal area of Orissa has followed the assassination of a head of one such RSS mission, allegedly by Maoists, although an RSS pamphlet has ascribed it to Christian "terrorists". The burning of churches and attacks on isolated villagers have since spread to Mangalore in Karnataka and also to Kasaragod in Kerala.

It is worth noting that the BJP is in power in two of these states - Orissa and Karnataka. Clearly, the rampaging Hindutva cadres expect the police to be less enthusiastic in checking them in Orissa and Karnataka than in any other state.

The murder of Staines and his sons, for instance, was conveniently ascribed by George Fernandes, convener of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to an "international conspiracy" although subsequently a local saffron sympathiser was convicted for the crime.

The issue of conversions in Kandhamal has been complicated by the fact that the converts from the Scheduled Caste or Dalit communities have been demanding the Scheduled Tribe (ST) or Adivasi (original inhabitant) status to avail themselves of the reservations in jobs and educational institutions to which STs are entitled.

While such violence relating to reservations is not uncommon in India, as the confrontation between the Rajasthan government and the Gujjars not long ago showed, the objective of the Hindutva brigade is different as it is motivated by the idea of converting India into a Hindu rashtra.

Although Christians are a far smaller minority group than the Muslims - a mere 2.3 per cent of the total population against the 13.4 per cent of the Muslims - there are a number of reasons why the RSS is more worried about them.

One is that the Muslims suffer at present from the worldwide taint of terrorism, which evokes little sympathy for their plight. Moreover, their depressed condition is ascribed to a ghettoized existence, the veiling of women and the generally poor educational standards because of the community's dependence on madrassas or religion-oriented schools.

In contrast, Christians are seen as forward-looking while their educational institutions at all levels are highly regarded. So are their medical services. Historically, too, there is no record of conflicts between Hindus and Christians as there is between Hindus and Muslims.

It will be a mistake, of course, to refer to the saffron activists belonging to the RSS, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrang Dal as the true representatives of Hindus since they are mainly lumpen elements who have been instigated by local politicians for partisan purposes. But their capacity for mischief is obvious, especially in the states run by their soulmates in the BJP.

The saffron hardliners also like to present inflated percentages of the Christian and Muslim populations, evidently to create a fear psychosis among the gullible about Hindus being swamped by such "aliens".

The unconvincing explanation for the discrepancy between their figures and those of the official census is the presence of "crypto-Christians" who do not disclose their real religious identity.

However, it is doubtful if the BJP can make any major political gains from the targeting of Christians, for most Indians will tend to agree with U R Anantha Murthy, the noted man of letters of Karnataka, that the parivar is "destroying Hindu civilisation".

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/PoliticsNation/Christians_Sangh_Parivars_new_target/articleshow/3505720.cms 

Churches were attacked in Kerala as well

ANGAMALY (Kerala): Two churches, one of them among the oldest in India, were vandalised by unidentified people in the early hours of Sunday at Akapparambu in Nedumbassery panchayat, about 35 km from Kochi city.

A seven-foot statue of Christ in the cemetery of the 467-year-old Garvasis and Prothasis Church, belonging to the Syro-Malabar Church, was broken and knocked off its pedestal. Next door, at the Mar Sabore Afroth Syrian Cathedral Church, the glass windows of a chamber that houses the sandalwood cot used by St. Paulose Mar Athanasius were smashed. The cathedral, said to have been built in 825 A.D., is one of the ancient churches of the Jacobites.

Fr. Paulose Arackaparambil, vicar at the cathedral church, told The Hindu that the glass windows must have been smashed between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. As soon as a church employee informed him of the incident, he reported it to the police and they arrived soon. At the Catholic church, the destruction of the statue was noticed by early worshippers and church staff.

While the police and church authorities suspect a deliberate attempt to instigate communal ire, Nedumbassery and nearby panchayats, which are home to scores of churches of various denominations, remained calm. 

http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/22/stories/2008092256011300.htm 

Jabalpur goes Khandamal way

Communal violence between Hindus and Christians has been on rise in various parts of the country.The latest in the row of the attacks on churches is in Madhya Pradesh, again a Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled state. Two men broke into a church in Jabalpur late on Thursday night. There were no casualties as the church was closed. Immediately after the incident, there were protests by Christians but the situation is now under control. (Watch)Earlier, in August, communal strife between Hindus and Christians in the Kandhmal district of Orissa hit the headlines. On August 23, Swami Saraswati, a Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader, and four others were killed by suspected Maoist guerrillas at Swami's ashram in Kandhamal district.Violence erupted across the district as Saraswati's supporters started blocking trains and vehicles in protest. The row became worse on August 25 after an orphanage was burnt and a woman died in the fire in the Bargarh district. Violence erupted across the state and soon came a condemnation from the Vatican as the Pope expressed his profound sadness. Kandhamal remains on the edge even now.A few weeks later, on September 14, similar clashes appeared in Mangalore in Karnataka, after at least six churches and prayer halls were attacked by Bajrang Dal supporters. A day later, there was a police crackdown on Christian protesters, with reports of police brutality against women and nuns and the National Commission for Women demanding an inquiry. The ruling BJP is under attack over reports that it is going soft with the Bajrang Dal.

Hindu Voices Against Attacks on Christians

NISHIT DHOLABHAI

New Delhi, Sept. 18: If the government bans the Bajrang Dal for the communal violence in Orissa and Karnataka, it can count on the support of several religious leaders — some of them Hindus.

Several Hindu religious leaders have condemned the attacks on Christians and churches by Hindu mobs as “beastly behaviour” and say they should be stopped.

One of the loudest voices came from Ayodhya, the epicentre of the temple movement.

“The way they are indulging in bloodshed, this is not the work of sanatana-dharmees (true believers),” said Mahant Gyandas of the Pancharamanandi Nirvani Akhara at Hanuman Garhi temple.

“It is beastly behaviour and should be stopped just as an animal’s action is,” the mahant toldThe Telegraph over the phone from the heartland temple town.

The Bajrang Dal and the violence in Orissa, where thousands of Christians have been forced to flee their homes since a Hindu leader was killed last month, figured at a cabinet meeting yesterday hours after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spoke about home-grown terror.

Information and broadcasting minister Priya Ranjan Das Munshi today hinted that if action could be taken against fundamentalist Islamic groups, Hindu outfits involved in violence should not be spared.

“We cannot keep quiet on one part and be open on another,” the Congress leader told reporters.

Activities of the Bajrang Dal, a Sangh parivar outfit, he added, were under watch and action would be taken at an “appropriate time”.

Over two dozen people have died in Orissa since Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Swami Laxmananda was murdered on August 23. Hindu mobs have also damaged churches in BJP-ruled Karnataka.

But VHP spokesperson in Delhi Vinod Bansal said: “Has any Bajrang Dal or VHP member been found with RDX or doing anything anti-national?”

The people who indulged in violence in Karnataka, he argued, were not from the VHP or the Bajrang Dal.

Any move to ban the Bajrang Dal, he said, would only unite Sangh parivar outfits.

But government sources said while the country was battling groups like the Indian Mujahideen, outfits like the VHP and the Bajrang Dal were seen as adding fuel to the communal fire.

Voices in Ayodhya agreed with this view.

The town is witnessing a movement against the Bajrang Dal, though protests by the Samajwadi Sant Sabha, a wing of the Samajwadi Party, can be attributed to politics.

Mahant Jugalkishore Shastri, a leader of the Sabha, an outfit of “socialist saints”, said he had 1,500 signatures of intellectuals, lawyers and writers who were all for a ban on the Bajrang Dal.

Sabha sources said the group would next month organise a major offensive against activities of the VHP and the Bajrang Dal.

Mahant Gyandas didn’t have words of appreciation for Shastri but they appeared to agree on banning the Bajrang Dal and the VHP.

“No one cares for the country, they are all fighting for power and fooling people,” Gyandas said.

The mahant said these outfits were “separating legs, hands and the head, tearing each part from a whole body.

article retrieved from  http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080919/jsp/nation/story_9856601.jsp  

Nuns and Women Expose Mangalore Police’s Brutality
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (GA)

Mangalore, Sep 17: Amidst all incidents of desecration of holy places, stone-pelting, caning, one particular scene will perhaps haunt a many for long. Yes! We are speaking about police's brutality on women and nuns at Kulshekar, Permannur church premises in particular and throughout other parts of the city in general. Ask any one the victims, be it nuns, women or youth, all have their own experience of barbaric attitude of the police. Kadri circle police inspector Ganapaty who has already become infamous by caning DYFI activists near MCC building a few days ago, has once again done the role of villain.
Police, who have the primary duty of providing protection to the people, behaved nothing better than animals with women, said one of the women from Kulshekar while speaking to this correspondent. We now have the personal account of some of the women and nuns who have either sustained physical injury or suffered mental trauma on that fateful day, Monday September 15.
Sr Sarita BS, the headmistress of Joseph's higher primary school, Kulshekar almost broke into tears as she narrated her experience. "We open our school at 7.45 am everyday. Accordingly, I went to the school premises on Monday to open school. But the police, who were guarding the premises, stopped me. But when told them that I am the headmistress and that I need to open my school, they let me in. I opened my office and also kept the school gates open. After a while a few of my staff came in. But the students who came to the school, went back seeing heavy police security at the gates," she started.
Since the parish priest had called the people to come to the church and pray, a few persons were inside the gate while a few more including many women were praying inside the church. "The main gate had been locked from inside and a few persons were shouting slogans inside the church gates. Police were standing outside the gate while almost 30-40 Bajrangdal activists were standing right behind them by the roadside. When police asked to leave the premises in silence since Section 144 was clamped, some of the women confronted them asking as why they were allowing 30-40 Bajrangdal activists to gathered together outside the gate. This enraged the police. Since the gates were locked, they could not enter in.
"As our people were talking to the police personnel, the Bajrangdal activists who were standing outside, started abusing our youth using filthy language. This enraged our youth and they too abused the Bajrangdal activists. Meanwhile inspector Ganapaty who arrived on the spot, straightaway went on abusive mode and tried to break into the church premises. When police could not do so, they lobbed tear gas in. So we all ran far away from the spot while police started chasing us. Bajrangdal activists used this opportunity and entered the church premises and joined police in attacking us. Once in, police again lobbed tear gas shells to disperse the crowd and even fired in the air. We had no way than to quit the place. While some of them ran towards the school building, I went to my office and closed the door," she continued.
She further said that a little while later she heard some young women and nuns pleading the police not to hit them as they were praying and protesting silently. But police did not care a bit to them and chased them. They came running near my office. I could not control myself. So I opened my office and took them in and then sent them to staff room and toilets and closed the doors of my office. But police were not relenting. They started banging my office doors repeatedly. Finally I decided to face them and opened the doors and sat on my chair. Police who came in asked me as why was I in the school. I said them that it was a working day for us and we were not given permission to close down our school. I even remained them that our schools had been issued notices for closing down the schools on August 29 in protest of attacks of Christians in Orissa. Before they left the place, police smashed the glass on my table and also broke a pen stand and a few other things which were on my table. They asked me to leave the place immediately. Since I had no other way, I left the office taking the school keys with me. On my way back to convent however, I was worrying about the young girls and women who were inside the staff room and toilets. Though I tried to call a few of them on their mobile, once I reached convent, their mobile phones were switched off.
Meanwhile police went up to the third floor where some of the women and nuns had gathered in a room. Almost seven police broke open the door, went in and started beating up the women as they came out.
A few of the women suffered injuries in event. While parishioner Gretta Gomes sustained a deep wound on her back just below the shoulder, our elderly 71-year-old Sr Denitia was beaten badly on her back, thighs and hips. Even Sr Selma who is diabetic sustained injuries and has been admitted to Fr Muller hospital. Two young nuns (they are under training and study) were beaten up. One of the police even pulled the sari of one of them. It was such a dastardly and shameful act. I even feel ashamed to repeat these things, she added.
However, amidst all this chaos, no one noticed Bajrandgal activists getting near the church and pelting stones. While everyone was running helter-skelter, Bajrangdal activists were pelting stones at our youth. Enraged by this, our youth too pelted stones and bottles. On the one had police were caning them and on the other hand, Bajrangdal activists were pelting stones at them. So they had no other way than defending themselves in the same way. When some of our youth ran over the terrace to protect themselves, Bajrangdal youth too chased them, went to the terrace and started pelting stones at police and people from them. They even picked tiles and threw them down. I don't say that our youth were not there on terrace. But there were Bajrangdal youth who were picking the tiles and pelting both at police and people.
On the other hand, police led by inspector Ganapaty went to the church. They were not allowed to go inside the church by the assistant parish priest and lay leaders. He asked them handover at least 25 youth to them. But the assistant parish priest said that not only 25 youth, but all are ready to come with him. But inspector Ganapaty rejected this, asked priest to allow him to go inside so that he can pick 25 youth from inside. But when priest did not bow down, he ordered lathi charge. Even when people came out peacefully and surrendered themselves, police beat them up severely. Once anyone raises his hands in surrender, he cannot be assaulted. But the police here had forgotten that they were human and they were dealing with human beings.
Today I met National Commission for Women president Girija Vyas and presented my views. I also met minority commission, former Prime Minister Deve Gowda, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge who all came to the school. I even spoke to senior Congress leader Prathviraj Chauhan over the phone through Kharge's cellphone and explained him our ordeal, she concluded.
Another woman who did not want to reveal her name and who has sustained a deep injury on her back owing to police caning almost had similar account to present. “We initially thought that we had only to fight against Bajarangdal. But we were wrong. We had police who were behaving worse than Bajarangdal activists with women and young girls. We are pained more by mental scars than physical wounds. We were protesting within the premises. But the police led by inspector Ganapaty entered the church premises by breaking the lock, lobbed tear gas and started caning us. Since our eyes were burning owing to tear gas, we were going in search of water to wash when police chased us. We went up the third floor, got into the only room that was open. But it did not have latch from inside. So we kept a table across the closed doors. But 7 policemen entered the room by pushing the table. We pleaded them not to cane us and when we started coming out, they hit us left and right without even bothering as where would we be hurt. I sustained injury on my back while a few nuns and young girls too sustained injuries. When they were faced with camera, police behaved as if they were not caning women. But in reality they caned us inside the rooms where we hid ourselves.

Kuwat Christian Community Condemn the attacks

Kuwait, Sep 16: In view of the ongoing attacks on Catholic places of worship in and around Mangalore, representatives of Indian Catholics in Kuwait held a meeting today at Cathedral premises in Kuwait City on 15th September to voice their support & solidarity to the Catholic community in Mangalore. Under the guidance of Rev. Fr. Melwyn D’Cunha, the community leaders in unison strongly condemned the atrocities against the catholic community and damage to places of worship. The members present were particularly alarmed at the quantum of destruction caused to the places of worship and the prevailing sense of fear psychosis among Catholics created by only a handful of miscreants.

The community leaders discussed various ways of showing their support & solidarity to the catholic community in Mangalore. It was unanimously decided to send a protest memorandum to the heads of Governments of India and Karnataka along with other officials concerned condemning the brutal acts of religious fundamentalists and to give all possible protection to Catholics and their places of worship.

It was also decided to hold a special “Prayer Service for Peace & Solidarity” on Thursday 18th September 08 at 6:00 PM at the Cathedral auditorium. All Indian Catholic community members are requested to be present.

Following representatives of associations were present in the meeting;

Kuwait Canara Welfare Association, Shirva Welfare Association, Kundapur Varado Welfare Association, Agnesian Alumnae Kuwait, Aloysian Alumni Kuwait, Kuwait Pangla Association, Kanajar Welfare Association, Belman Welfare Association, United Derebalites, Goan Welfare Society, Kala Mogi Kuwait and Carmel Convent sisters.

Canada Christians Respond to Violence against Christians in India

Mississauga, Sep 17: Saddened by the blatant violation of human rights and constitutional right to practice our religion in Mangalore, Orissa and other parts of India, the Indian Christian community of Canada are joining hands to protest against these atrocities.

Community members want to bring to the notice of the world and human right commissions and authorities in Canada to use their diplomatic channels about the total collapse of law and order in Mangalore & other parts of India, and the failure of the state to protect the lives of the clergy and the minority community.

These unfortunate events, has sown the seeds of hatred to vitiate the atmosphere of the goodwill of the communities. 

The Protest will be held in Mississauga at:
VENUE:  CITY HALL, SQUARE ONE
300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5B 3C1 
DATE:     SEPTEMBER 20TH 2008
TIME:     9:30 am – 11 am

No Forcible Conversions: Minority Commission

Udupi, Sep 18: Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities Mohamed Shafi Qureshi said on Wednesday that the commission had not received any report of forcible conversion from the district administration nor was there any FIR to that effect in Udupi district.

Addressing presspersons here, Qureshi said that some forces appeared bent on creating disharmony in society. Rumour mongering on sensitive issues was not desirable.

Every Indian had the right to profess and propagate any religion. “Conversion by force is not permitted,” he said He said that if there was any forcible conversion, there was the law and order machinery to which complaints could be lodged. Nobody could take law in their own hands on the pretext of alleged conversions. “We have so far not been able to find any forcible conversion here,” he said.

Qureshi said that the commission had visited places affected by communal violence in Orissa, Indore, and had completed its visit in Udupi.

After visiting all the affected areas hit by communal violence, the commission would submit a detailed report to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he said.

Member of the National Commission for Minorities Harcharan Singh Josh and Member of Delhi Minorities Commission Arnold James were present.

Earlier, Qureshi visited the New Life prayer hall which was vandalised by miscreants allegedly belonging to a pro-Hindutva organisation on September 14.

He heard the grievances of Pastor Gopinath of New Life prayer hall and other devotees. Mr. Qureshi also had a meeting with the Parish Priest of Mother of Sorrows Church Mathew Vas.

‘Sense of fear’

Speaking to presspersons Vas said that the commission had asked him about the situation prevailing in the district.

He had told the commission that the situation at present was peaceful in the district, but there was a sense of fear among the Christians. A peace committee meeting has been called by the Udupi district administration on September 20, he said. 

NDA Convener Condempts the Attacks, But Fails to Take The Issue With His Friendly The Sang Parivar

New Delhi, Sep 18: George Fernandes, NDA convener and ex-defence minister of the country, is known for his simple way of living and high ethical standards. Known to be close to the BJP top brass, particularly ex-prime minister A B Vajpayee, Fernandes continues to play an important role in the country's politics. He still possesses excellent communication skills and had helped the NDA regime to come out of problems by displaying deft conciliatory skills. He is like a patriarch to the NDA and his advice is sought frequently on many issues. Fernandes, who hails from Mangalore, was very much worried to learn that for the first time in the history of Dakshina Kannada district, peace-loving Catholics were targetted and their churches were vandalized.
Fernandes has since written a letter to Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, informing him that the he is aware of the atrocities being heaped on the Catholic/Christian community of the district since Sunday September 14. He has affirmed that he knows the community very well and can vouch for their love for peace and harmonious co-existence with people belonging to other religions.
The ex-defence minister has said in the letter that he has been apprised of the senseless vandalism let loose by miscreants on the Monastery of Perpetual Adoration at Milagres, Mangalore, belonging to the Little Sisters of St Clare, whose only vocation is to pray. He has condemned the act of desecrating of the Blessed Sacrament kept at the chapel. The Catholics spontaneously reacted to the provocations. Under such a charged atmosphere, a reaction that came from them, which was not a pre-meditated one, was not on unexpected lines, Fernandes has stressed.
Fernandes has pointed out that the course left for the vandals was to come up with tangible proof of activities against which they have grouse and seek legal recourse, instead of taking the law into their own hands and provoking the Mangalorean Catholic/Christian community, which is both peace-loving and law-abiding.
The NDA convener has expressed deep concern about the way more than a dozen churches and places of worship were systematically and simultaneously attacked. The fact that the attacks took place at the same time show that they were pre-planned by forces hell-bent on creating religious disharmony between the communities, he has pointed out. Fernandes has also stated in the letter that the developments do not augur well for the people of the region in particular and the state of Karnataka in general.
Fernandes has expressed his unhappiness at the harsh treatment meted out by the policemen to the community members, who were reacting to the sudden and grave provocation and also arresting them, instead of arresting the miscreants who vandalized the places of worship. He has expressed his strong displeasure at the fact that the police chased people in the church premises which they were trying to protect, and arresting the youth and old alike. The police brutality unleashed on the aggrieved people is like adding insult to the injury, he has pointed out and reminded the chief minister that the bitter memories of these incidents are hard to forget.
He has also reminded Yeddyurappa through the letter, that lawlessness persists in a state where the government does not protect what is precious for its citizens. He has further drawn the attention of the chief minister to the fact that it is the duty of the state to provide security to all the religious institutions and not to allow any individuals or groups to vent their anger through destructive means. He has also requested the state chief minister to order release of protestors taken into custody by the police and also to take urgent steps to bring together both the communities, for ushering in an era of renewed cordiality between them, with a spirit of harmony and reconciliation.


http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=51331&n_tit=George%20Fernandes%20Defends%20Christians%2C%20Ask%20CM%20to%20Restore%20Law%20%26%20Order

NDA Convener Condempts the Attacks, But Fails to Take The Issue With His Friendly The Sang Parivar

New Delhi, Sep 18: George Fernandes, NDA convener and ex-defence minister of the country, is known for his simple way of living and high ethical standards. Known to be close to the BJP top brass, particularly ex-prime minister A B Vajpayee, Fernandes continues to play an important role in the country's politics. He still possesses excellent communication skills and had helped the NDA regime to come out of problems by displaying deft conciliatory skills. He is like a patriarch to the NDA and his advice is sought frequently on many issues. Fernandes, who hails from Mangalore, was very much worried to learn that for the first time in the history of Dakshina Kannada district, peace-loving Catholics were targetted and their churches were vandalized.
Fernandes has since written a letter to Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, informing him that the he is aware of the atrocities being heaped on the Catholic/Christian community of the district since Sunday September 14. He has affirmed that he knows the community very well and can vouch for their love for peace and harmonious co-existence with people belonging to other religions.
The ex-defence minister has said in the letter that he has been apprised of the senseless vandalism let loose by miscreants on the Monastery of Perpetual Adoration at Milagres, Mangalore, belonging to the Little Sisters of St Clare, whose only vocation is to pray. He has condemned the act of desecrating of the Blessed Sacrament kept at the chapel. The Catholics spontaneously reacted to the provocations. Under such a charged atmosphere, a reaction that came from them, which was not a pre-meditated one, was not on unexpected lines, Fernandes has stressed.
Fernandes has pointed out that the course left for the vandals was to come up with tangible proof of activities against which they have grouse and seek legal recourse, instead of taking the law into their own hands and provoking the Mangalorean Catholic/Christian community, which is both peace-loving and law-abiding.
The NDA convener has expressed deep concern about the way more than a dozen churches and places of worship were systematically and simultaneously attacked. The fact that the attacks took place at the same time show that they were pre-planned by forces hell-bent on creating religious disharmony between the communities, he has pointed out. Fernandes has also stated in the letter that the developments do not augur well for the people of the region in particular and the state of Karnataka in general.
Fernandes has expressed his unhappiness at the harsh treatment meted out by the policemen to the community members, who were reacting to the sudden and grave provocation and also arresting them, instead of arresting the miscreants who vandalized the places of worship. He has expressed his strong displeasure at the fact that the police chased people in the church premises which they were trying to protect, and arresting the youth and old alike. The police brutality unleashed on the aggrieved people is like adding insult to the injury, he has pointed out and reminded the chief minister that the bitter memories of these incidents are hard to forget.
He has also reminded Yeddyurappa through the letter, that lawlessness persists in a state where the government does not protect what is precious for its citizens. He has further drawn the attention of the chief minister to the fact that it is the duty of the state to provide security to all the religious institutions and not to allow any individuals or groups to vent their anger through destructive means. He has also requested the state chief minister to order release of protestors taken into custody by the police and also to take urgent steps to bring together both the communities, for ushering in an era of renewed cordiality between them, with a spirit of harmony and reconciliation.


http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=51331&n_tit=George%20Fernandes%20Defends%20Christians%2C%20Ask%20CM%20to%20Restore%20Law%20%26%20Order

see and believe: more images from Orissa

Deadbody of a paster