Kandhamal riot-accused is BJP candidate; Church protests

Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) decision to field a main accused in the Kandhamal riots have angered the Christian community who demanded the candidate's removal from G Udaygiri Assembly constituency, Orissa.

According to the police, Manoj Pradhan has been booked in 10 cases that include seven murders. He is alleged to have masterminded the riots, which was one of the largest anti-Christian violence ever in the country.

All India Christian Council head John Dayal told Indian Express that he was not surprised by the nomination. "I was expecting that BJP would play the communal card in Kandhamal. Only the BJP can have the temerity to add salt to the wounds of the riot-hit people. L K Advani should be ashamed that his party is choosing a person accused of murders. BJP has no decency left."

He further pointed that the choosing of Pradhan and Hindu Jagaran Sammukhya leader and former IPS officer Ashok Sahu hints at their communal agenda.

Christians are very concerned, says Fr Joseph Kalathil, Vicar-General of Cuttack-Bhubaneshwar diocese. "It is very unfortunate. He is very notorious in Raikia area of Kandhamal," the prelate said.

Pradhan who is the district general secretary of BJP's youth wing Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha was arrested on October 15 in Berhampur town.

According to officer-in-charge R N Barik, he was accused of murdering Bikram Nayak, a Christian from Tiangia village. He was also involved in the murder of Trinath Digal, Dasarath Pradhan and Parikshit Nayak of the same village.

Defending Pradhan's nomination, BJP leader Golak Mohapatra, said police were trying to fabricate cases against him who has never been involved in any riots.

Shockingly, a study conducted by the Delhi Election Watch says, "As many as 91 candidates of the total 863 contesting the Delhi Assembly elections have criminal cases pending against them."