communalism and terrorism are the same - Orissa CPI(M) leader

Orissa bandh on Christmas Day a 'communal conspiracy': CPI(M) MP
New Delhi (PTI): A CPI(M) member on Wednesday alleged in the Lok Sabha that a "big communal conspiracy" was being hatched against Christians in Orissa with a "communal" organisation giving a call for a 'bandh' on the Christmas Day.

"A big communal conspiracy is being hatched by communal organisations to bring parts of the country into the milieu of communal disturbances," senior CPI(M) leader Hannan Mollah said during the Zero Hour.

A "communal" body had called a bandh in Orissa on December 25, he said adding, "this is a serious matter and the Christians may be attacked again by the VHP-Bajrang Dal elements."

Asking the Centre to take serious note of the developments in the state, the CPI(M) leader said "communalism and terrorism are the same and government should also include communal attacks in the ambit of the new anti-terror laws."

Mollah was supported by Congress member Madhusudan Mistry and RJD's Devendra Prasad Yadav. more: http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200812171540.htm

Chidambaram assures Orissa Christians Safe Christmas

India Leader Assures Christians of Safe Christmas

By Dibin Samuel

Christian Today Reporter

Sat, Dec. 13 2008 09:05 AM EST

Unlike 2007, Christians in Orissa, India, might be fortunate to celebrate Christmas this year, after Home Minister P. Chidambaram assured them that the Center would ensure their safety.
Chidambaram assured this on Wednesday when a delegation led by Delhi Archbishop Vincent M. Concessao met him to inform him about Christians fearing attacks during Christmas.

"We apprised the Home Minister of our very strong apprehension that the celebrations will be targeted by unruly elements as it happened last time," Babu Joseph, spokesperson for Catholic Bishop Conference of India (CBCI), told Press Trust of India.

Concerns were raised after Hindu extremists called for a statewide bandh, a form of protest or strike that shuts down the entire society, on Dec. 25, which could trigger more attacks against the Christian community.

The Home Minister, according to Joseph, has detailed and ordered the Orissa government to ensure safety to the Christian community.  more

Christmas at UTC with Widows Of Orissa Violence

INDIA  Widows Of Orissa Violence Brought Across Country For Christmas Celebration

BANGALORE, India (UCAN) -- A Christian group here organized an advance Christmas celebration for some women widowed during anti-Christian violence in the eastern Indian state of Orissa.

Asmitha Digal is among 24 widows who lost husbands in the anti-Christian Orissa violence in India, taking part in Christmas celebration in Bangalore on Dec. 8.

"We have lost our husbands to a hate campaign, yet we believe that only love and forgiveness can bring peace in society," asserted Kadamphul Nayak, widow of Pastor Samuel Nayak.

She was among 24 widows and two children who traveled 1,400 kilometers from Orissa to the southern Indian city of Bangalore to attend the Dec. 8 celebration. The ecumenical Global Council of Indian Christians, which is based in the city and organized the event, is involved in rehabilitation work for the Orissa victims.

About 150 people from various Churches joined the celebrations held at Protestant-run United Theological College in Bangalore, 2,060 kilometers south of New Delhi. They sang together hymns of praise and joy.

The Churches and their institutions gave the guests pots and other household items, clothes and sweets. They also shared a Christmas cake, and sang Christmas carols. Some of the Orissa visitors performed a tribal dance depicting the birth of Jesus.

Retired Methodist Bishop Sampath Kumar told UCA News the faith of the simple women amazed him and made the event the most meaningful celebration in his life. "We celebrate Christmas in our fullness, but they celebrated it in an utter hopeless situation," he remarked.  more

http://howrah.org/india_news/36987.html

Campaign for a peaceful Christmas in Orissa

Font size:  

NEWSX  

14 December, 2008 12:44:51

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