Campaign for a peaceful Christmas in Orissa
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Even as Sangh Parivar calls for a bandh in Orissa on December 25, a group of organisations comprising students, farmers, workers, teachers and social activists has initiated 'Christmas for Orissa' campaign for peaceful celebration of the festival.
Over 700 campaigners, representing seven citizens' groups of Orissa-based organisations, are seeking to make "peace and justice" the theme for this Christmas in the state.
"We will organise a special Christmas for Orissa by organising vigils and prayer meets," convener of the Christmas for Orissa Campaign, Joe Athialy, said.
There will also be such programmes outside Indian embassies and VHP offices abroad besides at many places within the country, he said.
Several churches, missionary-run schools, hostels and dispensaries in Kandhamal district were attacked by mobs after the killing of Laxamananda Saraswati.
"We are exploring a legal retaliation to the bandh call as well with a writ petition before the Supreme Court as it had banned bandhs through one of its orders earlier.
"However, if the bandh supporters remain undeterred we will give a call to people in Orissa to come out in its defiance and celebrate Christmas across the state," said M J Vijayan, convener of the Delhi Solidarity Group - a trust formed by some Delhi NGOs.
Activists of the 'Christmas for Orissa' campaign said they intend to send out Christmas cards bearing the social message of Christmas to BJP and BJD leaders in the state.
Heads of different churches and a Central fact-finding team headed by JD (U) chief Sharad Yadav have requested Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to ban the bandh," Archbishop of Orissa, Raphael Cheenath told PTI.
"There is definitely some malicious intention of the Sangh Parivar behind calling the bandh on the day of a national holiday," the Archbishop alleged adding, "We are meeting the Chief Minister and the Governor of the state again on December 17."
Meanwhile, the Catholics Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) had sought arrest of the VHP workers to prevent them from organising the bandh on Christmas day.
Swami Lakshmanand Saraswati Shradhhanjali Samity (SLSSS) had asked the state government to arrest the persons involved in the killing of the VHP functionary by December 15, failing which they would call for the bandh on December 25.
Anticipating violence against Christians on Christmas, embassy representatives of some European Union countries including Britain, Ireland, Netherland and others held discussion with the Orissa government on Saturday to ensure security in sensitive areas.
Orissa Home Secretary A P Padhi is learnt to have told the group that the state government has formulated extensive security plans for the day to ensure that no violence occurs and Christmas is celebrated in a peaceful manner.
The Orissa crime branch had already arrested three people in connection with the killing of Saraswati and the look out continues for 10 more accused. Union Home Minister P Chidambaram had also given his assurance for a peaceful Christmas in Orissa. courtesy
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