Orissa CM calls himself 'secular', promises security in party's manifesto

After facing humiliation for unable to curb the violence on Christians in Orissa, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has decided to atone his governance by announcing his "secular" credentials and promising security to all religious communities in the state.

In the backdrop of the Kandhamal violence, the BJD chief while releasing the party manifesto, assured protection to all communities to perform religious programmes and further said he will give special emphasis on the advancement of education, health, economy and culture of minorities.

The 40-page manifesto released on Friday was captioned "Each bone of my body is secular."

The booklet which aims to appease minorities enumerated the various contributions to Christians and miniscule groups like: grant-in-aid to all schools, colleges and health centres run by Christian organisations, grant for repair/reconstruction of all religious institutions like church, temple and mosques damaged during communal riots

The politico had recently blamed saffron parties for the violence against Christians in Kandhamal and further snapped ties with its 11-year-old coalition partner, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Meanwhile, Christian leader and member of National Integration Council John Dayal minced no words in accusing the politico for the mayhem caused. "The ghost of Kandhamal will always haunt him. Secularism is not in the bones, it is in the action," Dayal told The Indian Express.

Patnaik had earlier confirmed that, an estimated 10,000 people have been named in 746 cases lodged during the 2008 Kandhamal violence. 598 accused have been put behind bars and police have begun full-fledged investigation on all the cases, he said.

The current anti–Christian campaign is said to be the worst in the 60 years of India's independence. 50,000 Christians were displaced and over 4,000 Christian homes, churches and businesses have been destroyed.

The state of Orissa house some 36.8 million inhabitants, out of whom are 8 million tribals and 6 million dalits or untouchables. Out of the 36.8 million around 2.3% are Christians, half of whom are Roman Catholics. In the Kandhamal district, however, around 20% of the population are Christians.