|
New Delhi: August 23 must be remembered as
“Peace Day” to mark the murder of a Hindu fundamentalist
leader and the ensuing violence that targeted the
Christian community, says Archbishop of Orissa Raphael
Cheenath.
Addressing reporters, the archbishop along with other
like-minded people, called for a peace day in which the
Indian people would “forget the past and build a
harmonious society.” “The gruesome murder of [Swami
Laxmananda Saraswati] destroyed peace and harmony. Let
us unite and build a cohesive society,” Archbishop
Cheenath said.
The 84-year-old Saraswati was murdered on August 23,
2008, when Maoists allegedly opened fire at the Hindu
monk and four of his aides at his Jalespata ashram. In
retaliation, Hindu extremists blamed the Christian
community and attacked the minority group, forcing
thousands to flee their homes and churches.
To commemorate the day and express solidarity, Cheenath
says Christians will take part in peace marches in
different parts of the state. Fasting and prayers will
also be conducted in churches. “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,” he said.
The violence last year against the Christian community
left hundreds of houses were burnt, churches razed down
and families injured. Dozens were murdered and thousands
were forced out of their homes to the forests during the
four month-long violence.
For the Christian community and the minority leadership,
it’s not just the state and central governments that
must declare Aug. 23 as peace day, but also the United
Nations.
Indians Christians even called on the United Nations 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.
The Archbishop, meanwhile, told reporters that the
situation was still tense in the riot-hit district and
Christians were still feeling insecure considering the
lack of arrests made during the anti-Christian violence.
He demanded that the government arrest the culprits and
offer security and protection to religious minorities,
their lives, property, institutions and places of
worship.
Cheenath’s plea was made not only on behalf of
Christians but also for Hindu monks. Any violence
against Swamijis and their disciples are misused to
attack minorities and therefore the government must
provide them adequate security, he demanded.
|
