VHP to hold two protests in memory of Swami Laxmananda Saraswati

Anything that would be detrimental to peace building in Kandhamal at this juncture would inarguably be a protest rally.

Defying even the district collector's warning, a right-wing Hindu organization has announced plans to hold two protests to mark the murder of Swami Laxmananda Saraswati.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) said it would hold two 'silent protests' in Bhubaneshwar and Kandhamal on August 13 (Janmashtami) in memory of their leader who along with four of his disciples was murdered last year.

The VHP chose August 13 as it was on the day of Janmashtami - which fell on August 23 last year - the Hindu leader was assassinated.

Week-long activities would be held to mark his sacrifice, said VHP Orissa state general secretary Gouri Pasad Rath.

He also criticized the state government for failing to make any headway in the murder case of Saraswati which fomented large scale violence on Christians in Kandhamal - the epicenter of the attacks from August to December last year.

"It is shocking that a year after the murder, police are clueless while the government is playing votebank politics," Rath was quoted saying.

But, clearly knowing that a protest would trigger fresh violence, Kandhamal district collector Kishan Kumar had appealed to communities and groups to eschew any demonstrations. "The situation is still volatile, so we appeal to not hold any processions on August 13 and 23," Kumar said.

On the other side, Christians had urged people to mark August 23 as 'Peace Day' to mark the murder of Saraswati as "peace and harmony was destroyed on this day last year."

Archbishop Raphael Cheenath of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar called for peace marches, fasting and prayers to express solidarity and promote peace and unity.

"Orissa known as the land of peace and harmony was divided by criminals on religious lines. Their efforts must be thwarted and the minorities in India must be protected," Archbishop Cheenath earlier said.

He also called on the UN to declare the day as a "Global Day for Peace and Harmony" to ensure that such violence is not perpetuated on any community or individuals in any part of the world.

Last month, a young Maoist couple surrendered before the police after admitting that they murdered Saraswati and four of his aides. Their surrender was a major breakthrough in the sensational murder case.