Orissa violence victims participate in rally with GCIC

At least 150 family heads from Kandhamal district in Orissa traveled more than three thousand kilometers, only to join the Global Council of Indian Christians protest rally for justice in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Inaugurated by Archbishop Vincent Concessao of Delhi Catholic Archdiocese, the rally urged the State and the Central Government to protect the rights of minorities and provide safety to the most neglected people of the society.

Sawami Agnivesh, a prominent Arya Samaj scholar and the chairperson of the United Nations Trust Fund and the Bonded Labour Liberation Front, participating in solidarity, condemned the barbaric attacks launched by Sangh parivar members on Christians especially the victims of recent anti–Christian violence in Orissa.

Noted right activists including Nr. Kuldeep Naya and several members of Parliament who visited the GCIC sponsored Dharna assured to join hands to fight against injustice.

Dr. Dominic Emmanuel, Spokesperson of Delhi Catholic Archdiocese in his address to the rally called for immediate action to provide adequate compensation to the victims of violence in the Kandhamal district of Orissa.

According to Dr. Sajan George, President of GCIC, the Christian community is horrified by the inaction of the administration and the human rights violation that takes place goes unnoticed.

Dr. Sajan George said, the government makes announcements and tall claims but the fact remains that Kandhamal is still on the boil and certain acts of the government following the Christmas 2007 violence have further empowered the powerful section to suppress and torment the minorities.

The victims of Orissa violence who joined the protest rally have even submitted a memorandum to the President of India, Prime Minister of India and the Home Minister to act on its demands.

The Parliament March led by Dr. Sajan George started with a dharna at Bhubaneswar–Orissa on 15th March to launch indefinite strike for justice.