MASSIVE RALLY BEFORE ORISSA ASSEMBLY ON 9.10.2008 AGAINST BURNING OF CHURCHES AND DISCRIMINATION OF CHRISTIANS

Bubhaneshor, January 9, 2008

The All India Confederation of SC/ST Organizations will stage a massive rally before the Orissa Assembly on 10^th January, 2008 Dr. Udit Raj, National Chairman of All India Confederation of SC/ST Organizations, said that whenever Christian Missionaries preach or educate Dalits, most of the time they are under attack from forces like RSS, Bajrang Dal and VHP. He further said that a decade and a half ago, most of the excellent educational institutions were run by Christian Missionaries and Dalits and Backwards never raised any hue and cry that Christians were proselytizing the so-called beneficiaries of upper caste. If so-called upper castes have so much concern for Dalits and Tribals, then why do they not provide public school facilities and other benefits to them. It is unfortunate that neither the so-called upper castes do anything for Dalits and Tribals nor do they allow others to do so.

Dr. Udit Raj said that the All India Confederation of SC/ST Organizations and the All India Christian Council would jointly organize a massive rally against the onslaught of the aforesaid outfits. On 24 ^th December, 2007, the violence was caused by a minor incident in Brahmni Gaon of Kandhamal district. Panas demanded inclusion of Kui tribe in ST category for reservation benefit. The religious colour was fabricated and manipulated over a small incident. The igniting point of violence was on account of Christmas celebration by Ambedkar Vanijya Sangha. Dalits and Adivasis started celebrating Christmas since 2004 by erection of a big arcade as Hindus do during Durga Puja and on other occasions. The upper caste Hindus did not accept it. The whole event is being camouflaged as violence was due to the call of a bandh given by Kui Samanvya Samiti who opposed the demand of Panas who were demanding the status of Scheduled Tribe. At the moment, Dalits of Brahmni Gaon have left the village and are either hiding in forests or somewhere else.

The All India Confederation of SC/ST Organizations and All India Christian Council jointly demand that the victims should be provided with adequate security and simultaneously Orissa Government must see to it that untouchability and discrimination are put to an end, register cases against perpetrators; compensation of Rs. 10 lakhs each to the families of the dead and Rs. 5 lakhs each to the families of the injured; compensation for the damage caused to 730 Christian homes vandalisation or destruction of 95 Churches and killing of four Christians and still missing and presumed dead, churches and other property; constitution of a judicial committee of experts of Kandha and Panas; to settle the problem of Kui tribe and to conduct an impartial enquiry against Government officials and law enforcing agencies involved in the incident.

(Dilip Kumar Behera)

State President

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