Christian on hunger strike till peace rendered in Orissa

Nothing seems to stop this Christian who is on a hunger strike since Dec. 10, Human Rights Day.

Rajiv Joseph, who recently founded the 'Indian Minority Front' is very adamant and says, will not cease the hunger strike unless the Orissa state govt. assures safety and protection to Christians.

On Dec. 18, eight days after his hunger strike, police took Joseph to the hospital apprehending the dangers that might follow if the Christian continues to survive only on water.

However, says the layman, doctors at the hospital declared him physically fit, so police could not keep him there.

"I'm physically fit, and I'll continue fasting," he told UCA News.

Joseph assertively states, the govt. authorities pleaded to end the strike and promised to meet the demands, however, "I need action, not promises."

Father Babu Joseph, spokesperson of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India remarked, "It is a noble way of protesting and helping fellow brethren in their distress" adding, following the footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi's non-violent method is "the best way to express strong disagreement with the government."

Some of the demands of Joseph include, the Christmas Day bandh called off by the Sangh Parivar and the dispatch of more paramilitary forces to Kandhamal, ensuring no further attacks against Christians take place in Orissa. Else he says, until death he will continue the hunger strike.

The Indian Minority Front, a political party founded by Rajiv, was an initiative that began after the outreak of violence in Orissa's Kandhamal district.

The party aims to protect minorities, in particular the Christians, dalits and tribes in India.