Fears of new anti-Christian violence in Orissa

Saturday, 20th December 2008
By Judy West

Indian Christian leaders have expressed concerns about a new outbreak of anti-Christian violence after rightwing Hindu organisations in Orissa confirmed they will hold a bandh (strike) on Christmas Day.

The All India Christian Council issued a statement today after the announcement on Dec 17, that ultra-nationalist Hindutva groups said they will observe a state-wide shut-down for 12 hours on Christmas Day, after it was reported The Hindu newspaper.

The protest is due to the failure of authorities to arrest the killers of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Lakshmanananda Saraswati who was assassinated on Aug. 23, 2008. The Orissa Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, opposes the bandh, and the newly appointed Minister of Home Affairs in New Delhi, P. Chidambaram, publicly assured Christians they’ll be safe. the rest