Violence claims one more life, NSA terms Bajrang Dal 'dangerous'

Police on Saturday found the body of an elderly man at Panganaju village in Kandhamal, even as violence continues unabated and demands for a ban on Bajrang Dal has been intensified.

The deceased identified as Krushna Chandra Pradhan had gone to a turmeric field behind his house last week when he was hacked to death, officials said.

“We dont know the murderer or the reason for murder. We are trying to verify the facts,” a senior police officer said.

National Security Advisor terms Bajrang Dal dangerous

While the death toll is on rise, National Security Advisor M K Narayanan has termed SIMI (Islamic) and Bajrang Dal as extremely dangerous organisations.

Narayanan said he is very affirmative that militant outfits "under whatever dispensation they are, should be banned."

He said though the actions of Bajrang Dal are militant, "the problem around Bajrang Dal is that it really does not exist as an organisation."

Narayanan suggested building up evidence to control such organisations.

Moily demands a ban on Bajrang Dal

At the AICC headquarters in New Delhi, Congress media department chief M Veerappa Moily said "the Bajrang Dal deserves to be banned...They have earned this image for themselves. The terrorists hide and do it, they (Bajrang Dal) do it openly."

Moily said, "The party looks at the ban not as a political agenda but a national agenda.... The BJP–ruled states think that the Bajrang Dal is oxygen for their survival... This is very unfortunate."

While the ban on 25–year–old Bajrang Dal has split the Cabinet, Christians too are confused if a ban on the saffron group will help or would stand counterproductive.

The return of a stronger BJP in Orissa is something the minority Christians are terrified about.

Spokesperson, Catholic Church Dominic Emmanuel says, " I do not feel it should be banned. It will only help them later.


“My government doing its best” says Orissa CM

While the Orissa government has been under attack over its handling of the violence in Orissa, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik criticised the demand for President's rule and said it was "totally unjustified and politically motivated motivated."

"There have been violent incidents and communal clashes in other states as well. Why the Orissa Government should be targeted?" he questioned during an interview to Karan Thapar for the Devil's Advocate programme.

"My government is doing its best to bring the situation under control," continued the 62–year old BJD leader adding, "I feel I have not let down anyone in my state to whichever community they belong."

AICC accuses Advani of diverting attention

The All India Christian Council has accused the opposition BJP of diverting the country's attention from anti–Christian violence in Orissa to a "non issue" like "forcible conversions".

"Even as violence against the Christian community continues to rage in Orissa, BJP leader L K Advani, whose party is in power in the state along with Biju Janata Dal, chose to remain a silent spectator for more than 40 days", Council President Joseph D'Souza and Secretary General John Dayal alleged in a statement here.

The Council denounced forcible conversions but claimed that repeated investigation by the National Minorities Commission and efforts by "aggressive governments" have failed to provide a single proven case of forcible or fraudulent conversion.

It appealed to the National Integration Council (NIC) meeting today to discuss the violence in Orissa, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Violence on any religion unacceptable: Advani

Meanwhile senior BJP leader L K Advani denounced violence against any religion or place of worship saying it is "unacceptable".

"Vandalism and violence against any religion or place of worship shall not be tolerated and is highly condemnable," the BJP's Prime Ministerial face told a rally.

"Differences, if any, should be sorted out through dialogue and no other means is acceptable," Advani said.

A delegation of Christians met with Advani before the rally and sought his intervention in stopping attacks on Christians.

So far over 60 Christians have been killed, hundreds of churches being burnt and 18,000 people still living in relief camps since August 23, following the assassination of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati.