Archbishop expresses doubt over judicial commission

Archbishop of Cuttack Raphael Cheenath on Tuesday expressed doubts over the inquiry conducted by the judicial Commission on the violence against minority Christians by Hindu extremist groups.

''I do not have confidence that Justice S C Mohapatra Commission will indeed do justice to the victims in Orissa,'' the Archbishop said in a statement.

He expressed sadness that the Chief Minister without consulting the Christian representatives, decided on the Commission conducting the investigation.

"Present appointments have been made in haste disregarding the point of view of the victim communities," he said adding, "I have nothing against Justice Panigrahi or Justice Mohapatra personally. But I do protest the appointment being made unilaterally."

The Archbishop further noted that the Commissions appointed needs a person of "dynamism" with a "compassionate heart and a deep social understanding of the nature of communal riots."

Furthermore, he lamented that neither the national leadership nor the government appears to be capable of "acting bravely and decisively" to challenge the fascist forces.

“What is at stake in the communal attacks in Orissa is not just the future of the Christian community and its security and safety, but the future of our democratic nation itself,” he said.

The Orissa government appointed retired high court judge S.C. Mohapatra to head the commission of inquiry that will investigate the anti–Christian rioting that rocked Orissa state since August 23, this year. The attacks have killed over 60 people and forced thousands to be displaced.