Cover photo by Reuters/Jayanta Shaw
India (MNN) ― Despite the deployment of law enforcement troops, India's violence continues to inflict daily damage on Christians.
At least ten other states have been witnessing anti-Christian attacks since the killing of Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and four others at his ashram in Kandhamal district August 23.
The increasingly tense situation is in contrast with the assurances from the provincial governments, which claim to be able to maintain security.
Peter Dance with Operation Mobilization says the international community is becoming more aware of the import of the situation. "They are calling it genocide. It's not just watchdogs, it's the United Nations, or at least the European Parliament. Even some from our U.S. government have written to the Indian government and said, 'This is unacceptable.' The president of France has also said, 'This is unacceptable.' The reason they're saying it's genocide is because it's targeted at one particular segment of society: the Christians and the Dalits."
Dr. Joseph D'souza, president of the All India Christian Council, said, "The events of the last month, not only the anti-Christian attacks but the negligence of government, would be sad if it happened in a dictatorship or a totalitarian regime. The fact that it's happening in the world's largest democracy makes it infinitely sadder."
The state government has been largely ineffective in quelling the violence, and the federal government has not exercised their options of taking over in order to restore peace.
25 pastors and their families have been moved to an OM base for safety and protection. Within Orissa, notes AICC, attacks are spreading again with incidents reported in Gajapati and Boudh districts in the last few days.
According to the AICC, leaders have reliable reports of 315 villages damaged, 4,640 Christian houses burnt, 53,000 Christians homeless, 57 people killed including at least 2 pastors, 10 priests/pastors/nuns seriously injured, 18,000 Christians injured, 2 nuns gang-raped, 149 churches destroyed, 13 Christian schools and colleges damaged.
The OM team is acting as the hands and feet of Christ, but "we're so restricted in what we can do going into the area. Basically, our focus right now is those that are able to come out, are coming to the church. We're doing what we can, financially, to take care of medical needs, also food and clothing and housing."
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