Revised book on Kandhamal violence launched

The revised and updated edition of 'Shining Faith in Kandhamal' by Journalist Anto Akkara was released on September 23 by the head of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI).

The book was released by Archbishop of Mumbai and president of CBCI, Cardinal Oswald Gracias, at the 65th anniversary of Asian Trading Corporation (ATC) - the publishers of the book.

"This is a very inspiring book," said Cardinal Oswald Gracias in his presidential address hailing the book.

"What happened in Kandhamal was really very sorrowful. But it was also a moment of grace. These stories (narrated in the book) will strengthen the faith of our people," he remarked.

Cardinal Telesphore P Toppo, Archbishop of Ranchi and former CBCI president, received the first copy of the new edition.

The book narrates the lives of Christians in Kandhamal in the aftermath of the riots that followed the killing of VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his aides in 2008.

The book documents the testimonies of Christians who defied killing and torture, and never backslid in their faith even under extreme pressure and threats.

The author had earlier published "Kandhamal, a Blot on Indian Secularism" after several trips into Kandhamal, and interviews with victims of the violence. It was hailed as a critical journalistic investigation into the communal violence.

Akkara in his book stated that the violence had not been a "spontaneous" reaction of the Hindus as claimed by some fundamentalist groups, but was "orchestrated".