Santosh Digal

On the International Day of Peace, people from different religious backgrounds took part joint activities in Kandhamal to promote interfaith dialogue between Christians and Hindus two years after anti-Christian pogroms broke out. “Efforts are being made to remove fear and suspiciousness among the people,” the archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar said.

Attacks against believers or desecrating places of worship are “despicable and uncivilised” acts. Muslim leaders call for legal against the culprits and urge fellow Muslims to express their dissent peacefully. The AICC slams the ‘Burn-the-Qur‘an’ campaign. Indian priest says the media should not give space to people sick in the mind.

Cases have been reported in more than ten villages in Kandhamal District. In talks with the state’s chief minister, Mgr Raphael Cheenath, archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, calls for a greater effort to fight discrimination. “The state describes itself as secular; hence, it should not condone such violence,” he said.

HT Sangliana, vice-chairman of the National Commission for Minorities, arrived in Orissa today. Starting tomorrow, he will visit Kandhamal District, scene of anti-Christian pogroms two years ago. Christian leaders criticise his planned schedule because it does not include visits to the places most affected by the violence. The archbishop of Cutthak-Bhubaneswar calls on the visiting delegation to listen to the voice of the victims.

In a statement, all Catholic educational institutions are asked to identify needy students and provide them with free education, which is one of ten anti-poverty strategies promoted by the Bishops’ Commission for Education and Culture.

Manoj Pradhan will serve six years in prison and pay a fine for killing a Christian during the pogroms of 2008. In June he was convicted of another murder, but the Orissa High Court had granted him freedom on probation. Christian’s lawyer: "Now the victims can begin to have a little confidence in Indian legal system."

The Indian Church celebrates the Day of the Girl Child today to condemn discrimination against women in Indian society. Only 67.7% of girls between 15 and 24 years receive education and about 40% of married women suffer violence within the family walls. India holds last place for the growth rate of the female population because of widespread feticides, abortion and prenatal selection.

Forced to marry by their families when still teenagers, girls undergo serious physical and psychological risks. Religious of the Diocese of Jalandhar educate parents and children to abandon this practice through discussion groups and training courses.

In 20 villages in Kandhamal District hit by anti-Christian pogroms in 2008, Hindus continue to prevent Christians from participating in social life, including the use of public fountains and cutting wood in the forest. “they need to live a dignified life. The Orissa State government has an obligation to do something about it and protect Christians from this inhuman treatment,” the archbishop Cuttack-Bhubaneswar said.

Prison Ministry India The organization was founded 25 years ago by two seminarians and has 30 centres across the country. It occupies over 300 thousand prisoners and their families. A volunteer: "Helping prisoners to experience the love of God."

Swami Shantatamanda met Mother Teresa 15 years ago, shortly before her death. He recalls her simplicity, love for the poor and still has a little paper with some prayers written by the religious. Member of a Hindu philanthropic organisation the priest promotes interfaith dialogue through aid to the needy.

Two years after the anti-Christian pogroms that began August 24, 2008 in the district of Kandhamal (Orissa), survivors of violence are still in danger and seeking justice. The Archbishop of Cuttack Bhubaneswar, attacks business men of high caste Hindus. They exploited the massacres to maintain economic power in the region, preventing the Church emancipation of Dalits and tribals who converted to Christianity.