Over 5000 protest Orissa violence in capital

Over 5000 Christians from all denominations in the country gathered at Orissa Bhawan in New Delhi on Aug 29, to show solidarity with the victims of India's worst ever communal violence against Christians.

The gathering was a result of an appeal made by Churches, to protest the barbarous incidents against miniscule Christian community, following the murder of VHP leader and four others by suspected maoist groups.

The protest rally was addressed by Church dignitaries and others who included retired Justice Kulse Patil, Shabnam Azami, director of ANHAD, Udit Raj, a dalit leader, Teesta Setalvad, an eminent social activist and P.C. Thomas, MP. They condemned the violence and stressed the secular character of the country.

Archbishop Raphael Cheenath from the Bhubaneshwar Diocese of the Catholic Church said, "Over 50,000 people have been displaced and over 2000 homes destroyed."

He further added that "the police were mere bystanders as the rioters' rampaged village after village." The known death toll has now mounted to 30. Many more are feared dead according to unconfirmed reports.

Teesta Setalvand, a prominent social activist also expressed her solidarity with the Christian Community, especially thanking them for their service to the nation through the numerous schools, colleges and medical institutions and the service to the poor and the oppressed in the most backward regions of the country.

On Friday, all Christian educational institutions were closed and demonstrations were held throughout the country to demand justice from the Government of Orissa.

At the end of the two hour rally, Christian leaders led by Archbishop Raphael submitted a Memorandum to Murlidhar Chandrakant Bhandare, governor of Orissa.

According to sources, at least 3,000 people, most of them Christians, are living in government–run relief camps and several thousands have fled to forests.

Christian leaders said that at least 1,000 Christian homes had been set on fire since Monday and more than 5,000 people were homeless.

The Vatican and Italian government has voiced serious concern over the violence against Christians. Arriving today, Italian foreign minister will urge the government to take “decisive action” to prevent the Hindu violence against the Christians.

The Italian government has said it will summon India's ambassador to stress the need for "decisive preventative and repressive action" to crack down on what it called "unacceptable" religious violence.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has called on the state government, run by a coalition including the opposition Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, to restore peace.