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The
recent surrender by a young Maoist couple - identified
as Surendra Vekwara (19) and his wife Ruby (18) from
Rayagada district—claiming responsibility for the murder
of the VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati has
proved beyond all doubt that the Christians of Orissa
had nothing to do with the crime that was committed on
August 23, 2008
Despite Christian groups condemning the murder of Swami
and sternly denying any involvement in the slaying,
Hindu extremists accused Christians and indulged in
barbarous violence against the community. This, in the
face of Maoists themselves claiming responsibi-lity for
the killing of the Swami and four of his followers.
The confession proves further the fear of the Orissa
Christians that the miscreants were simply looking for
an alibi for engineering the attack—all the looting,
killings and destruction of churches and burning of
Christian homes in the wake of the event were outcome of
vengeance rather than any spon-taneous outburst. It was
clearly part of a well planned agenda.
Pondering over all the devastations by anti-social
elements in Kandhamal for months, terrorizing innocent
people and forcing them to take shelter in nearby
jungles and later in refugee camps, one wonders whether
all these could happen in a civilized nation, where the
rule of law prevailed..
If a motivated and organized group of men decide to go
on the rampage against any particular section with
immunity, will this government be able to provide
security?. What happened in Kandhamal can happen in any
part of the country. What is really disturbing is that
the leadership had not acted against the big crooks who
stirred up trouble for fear of inviting the wrath of
communal and misguided groups.
Democracy has been hijacked successfully by power hungry
politicians whose sympathy often lay with the oppressors
than with the victims.
We boast of being a democracy but communal forces always
had acted defiantly because the rulers have not shown a
determination to act decisively to protect the victims
and to punish the culprits.
It was as clear as day that the funeral procession was
deliberately taken out with a view to fomenting hatred
against a particular community. Praveen Togadia, a
vitriolic leader, known to rouse communal passions was
allowed to lead the procession .What followed as a
result is now common knowledge.
If democracy is to be safe, leaders of all sections of
the society should come together to rein in unruly
elements. Peace and order can not be maintained in
society when the rule of law is allowed to be flouted
with impunity..
Every Indian should hang his head in shame for having
stood by while the dignity of men, women and children
were trampled upon and violated at will by marauding
crowds for months together in Orissa. What is more, the
villains continue to threaten those whom they had
hounded and wounded at a time when they were helpless
and unprotected.
The secular credentials of the state chief minister, who
is no longer dependant on communal forces for continuing
in power, will be put to test now. Will he create
conditions for the victims of violence to live in peace?
Rebuilding damaged churches and paying compensation for
those who had lost their homes and livelihood are the
other issues which call for just solutions.
All the crimes were committed in broad daylight and in
public knowledge. The hired goons and the instigators in
the guise of politicians continue to threaten peace
loving witnesses so that they may not appear in courts
to speak the truth.
Who must speak up? As the majority of the culprits
belong to the majority community. These anti-social
elements should not be allowed to defame the whole
community and disturb the peace. A religion which
proclaims the brotherhood of man and the world as one
family should not allow its members to sow seeds of
hatred and conflict.
As Edmund Burke of old often reminded his people, ‘all
that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good
men to do nothing.’ This still holds true.
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