Press Statement
December 5, 2008
Campaign for Peace and Justice in Orissa
‘Take Stringent Action Against Perpetuators of Violence ’
New Delhi: In the wake of attacks on Christians in Orissa and the continuing hate campaign on minorities across the country by the Sangh Parivar , members of different social movements are kick starting a Dil Jodo Samaj Jodo Abhijan (Campaign to Knit Hearts and Society) from December 6.
Starting from Bargarh district headquarter the campaign would pass through the trouble torn villages/towns of Orissa to culminate the first phase at Bhubaneswar on December 16. Senior activist of the National Alliance of People’s Movements Tom Kocherry will inaugurate the campaign to be attended by representatives of different organizations from around the country.
While action against the perpetuators of violence against minorities since August is still awaited, the VHP/RSS in an attempt to escalate tension in the region, has called for an Orissa bandh on December 25, on Christmas Day. There is great apprehension that the VHP bandh will become another excuse to unleash more violence against the already battered Christian community and kill both the flesh and spirit of this year’s Christmas in Orissa. In fact it was on Christmas Day last year that the anti-Christian attacks, organised by the VHP, Bajrang Dal, RSS and other Hindutva extremist groups, were launched.
One may recall that in the renewed violence since late August this year over 60 people have been killed, several women including nuns raped, over 4,400 houses and 151 churches destroyed and more than 18,000 people injured in Kandhamal and other places. There are over 50,000 people homeless and living in the most atrocious conditions unable to return to their homes due to fear and lack of state protection.
“The campaign is to prevent the recurrence of further violence against Christians in the state, demanding justice for the victims and to prevail upon the Indian and Orissa governments to protect the lives and livelihood of innocent citizens of minority communities”, said Lingaraj, one of the Convenors of the campaign and a senior member of Samajwadi Jan Parishad.
The campaign is jointly planned by a number of organizations in Orissa. They include, Sanskrutik Andolan, Janwadi Abhijan, Samajwadi Jan Parishad, Lokshakti Abhijan, Sramana Sanskruti, GGJK, Khaprakhol, Gaan Mait Sanskrutik Andolan, Digdarsan Sanskrutik Anustan and Bidyarthy Yubjan Sabha.
The campaign is supported by civil society organizations across the country. “What happens in Orissa is symbolic of the hate campaign VHP/RSS is spearheading against the minorities and the powerless in this country. We, as members of the civil society are duty bound to support initiatives / campaigns against these and to protect the secular fabric of the country,” said Satya Sivaraman, a filmmaker andmember of the Christmas for Orissa Campaign Committee in Delhi.
The campaign would include a number of ways to spread the message of peace and justice. Among these are a cultural rally with street theatre, public meetings & discussions, leaflet distribution, literature selling cum exhibition, poster distribution and exhibition and film screenings.
Contacts:
(In Orissa)
Lingaraj : 09437056029
Shankar Mahanad: 09937158847
(In Delhi)
Vijayan: 9868165471
Bipin Kumar: 9868280198
