Human Rights Group Urges Indian Government to Tackle Anti-Christian Violence with 'Firm Resolve' | INDIA - March 30, 2009| Christian Ministry Reports 'No Up-tick' in Expected Violence: Following a year of the most severe anti-Christian violence seen in post-independence India, particularly in Orissa and Karnataka states, a Christian human rights group has published a briefing on the situation. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) last week released its annual briefing on religiously-motivated violence and discrimination faced by the Christian community in India during 2008. The briefing outlines the systematic outbreaks of violence against Christians in Orissa and Karnataka, and catalogues religiously-motivated attacks in other states. It urges the government of India to implement the recommendations of the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief in the report of her 2008 mission to India, and highlights the need to tackle impunity in religiously-motivated violence and to investigate extremist groups involved in the propagation of violence. View Entire Article (ANS)
Fears of More Violence After Second Hindu Leader Killed in Orissa | ORISSA, INDIA - March 25, 2009| “The murder of a second Hindu fundamentalist leader in Orissa has sparked fears of a fresh wave of violence,” writes Jenna Lyle for the UK-based web site christiantoday.com. "The culprits are believed to be Maoist rebels, according to Voice of the Martyrs Canada (VOMC)." VOMC said that around 15 men attacked and shot Prabbhat Panigrahi, a member of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu fundamentalist group. Last year, dozens of people, mainly Christians, were killed and tens of thousands displaced when Maoists killed another leader of the group. View Entire Article (ANS)
Court Comes to Christians' Aid | DIMAPUR, INDIA - January 9, 2009| Following a ruling by the Karnataka High Court, churches razed and damaged in the communal upheaval from Hindu fundamentalist in Karnataka, would be compensated by the government. Twelve churches which were earlier shut down have also been reopened while false cases lodged against pastors by Hindu bigots have been withdrawn, it was informed. View Entire Article (The Morung Express)
Orissa: $250 to Murder Pastors | ORISSA, INDIA - December 1, 2008| Far from letting the situation in Orissa settle down, extremist groups have offered a bounty to keep killing Christians—including a $250 reward for each pastor murdered. Estimates on the number of Christians killed since August range as high as 500. With the incentives, the violence shows no sign of stopping. And now, pastors have a price on their heads—and all Christians face a looming death threat. View Entire Article (ANS)
Celebration During Orissa's Darkest Hours | ORISSA, INDIA - November 13, 2008| Despite living in the Orissa district hit hardest by the recent persecution against Christians, five new believers recently chose to publicly testify of their faith in Christ. View Entire Article (ANS)
Christians Face Growing Attacks in Eastern India | TIKKABALLI, India – October 26, 2008 | They still worship in what remains of the little Baptist church not far from this forest town. The church is empty except for the rubble swept neatly into the corners. The sun comes through ragged holes where the mob smashed in the window frames. View Entire Article (MSNBC)
Hindu Threat to Christians: Convert or Flee | BOREPANGA – October 12, 2008 | The family of Solomon Digal was summoned by neighbors to what serves as a public square in front of the village tea shop. They were ordered to get on their knees and bow before the portrait of a Hindu preacher. They were told to turn over their Bibles, hymnals and the two brightly colored calendar images of Christ that hung on their wall. Then, Mr. Digal, 45, a Christian since childhood, was forced to watch his Hindu neighbors set the items on fire.View Entire Article (New York Times)
Tide of Intolerance | ORISSA – October 15, 2008 | Since August of this year, a spate of violence has swept across significant portions of the eastern Indian state of Orissa. More than 30 people have been killed, thousands of homes torched and hundreds displaced. The principal victims have been the small, beleaguered Christian communities. Sadly, they are no strangers to such tragedies. In 1999, Hindu zealots murdered an Australian missionary, Graham Staines, and his two sons. View Entire Article (Newsweek)
US Legislators Concerned About Violence Targeting Christians in Orissa | HYDERABAD – September 6, 2008 | Seven United States members of the House of Representatives sent a letter on Sept. 4, 2008, to India’s Ambassador to the U.S., Ronen Sen, expressing concern about attacks on Christians in Orissa state. Also, on Sept. 3, 2008, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom called for action to stop the violence and accountability within India.View Entire Article (AICC)
India's Central Government Responds to Spreading Attacks on Christians | HYDERABAD – September 19, 2008 | Since August 23, 2008, over one hundred churches were burned and thousands of Christians attacked in six states across India. Last night, India’s central government implemented Article 355 of the Indian Constitution to halt the spread of violence, specifically in Orissa and Karnataka states. Tomorrow, September 20, 2008, the All India Christian Council (aicc) will sponsor a rally in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, to urge civil society and Indian citizens of goodwill to insist the state governments arrest people behind the anti-Christian violence.View Entire Article (AICC)
