Hindus, Muslims join Cardinal seeking peace in Orissa

Deeply saddened by the violence in Orissa, Hindus and Muslims have joined Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Bombay in asking the federal government to take steps to end the continuing violence.

According to reports available with Christian Today, at least nine people have been killed and around 50 churches damaged. Christian homes have been set ablaze and institutions attacked.

Cardinal Gracias who is based in Mumbai was quoted by the UCA news as saying, he is "deeply disturbed" at the unabated attacks on Christians and their homes and institutions. He pointed out that such violence is happening in the name of religion during the Christmas season, "when the whole world welcomes the message of peace and harmony."

An appeal has been placed by the cardinal, asking the federal and state government of Orissa to take immediate stringent measures to curb the religious violence.

At a Dec. 27 protest rally in the capital, where more than 1000 people including prominent Muslims and Hindus, gathered, Archdiocesan chancellor Father Savio Fernandes read out a statement asserting that "immediate restoration of law and order and of a climate of tolerance and peaceful coexistence among all peoples is the only guarantee of safety, strength, progress and unity of our nation."

"It is inexplicable that the law–enforcing authorities of the state should display inaction and inefficiency in the face of such attacks," the statement continues.

A popular Hindu Bollywood filmmaker and peace activist, told reporters in Mumbai that, it "was a black Christmas for these hapless Christians who were mercilessly attacked" in Orissa. "Even days after the attacks, the state machinery had not reached there, leaving the Christians at the mercy of the extremists," he added.

N. Azimuddin, Muslim leader and president of the Mumbai–based Movement for Peace and Justice was quoted by UCA news as saying, such violent incidents have forced religious minorities to unite against "fascist forces" in the face of governmental apathy.

Addressing the rally, he said there "seemed to be no support of the law–enforcement machinery (for Christians), and even worse, the Christians feared that the authorities were reduced to mere onlookers" while Hindu extremists ran riot.

The police and state authorities in Orissa are under scrutiny after the latest violence caused huge damages to the miniscule community.