Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bhubaneswar (Fides Service) - Tension and bewilderment in the state of Orissa, north east India after the Koraput district administration approved an order to demolish 109 homes belonging to Christian families. The episode could foment tension and violence between the religious communities in Jeyepore.
According to local sources the decision was inspired by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS (National Body of Volunteers) one of several fundamentalist Hindu organisations which promote, often resorting using violence, nationalist Hindutva ideology. RSS is very powerful in the state of Orissa. This is not the first time that people in Koraput and Jeyepore witness episodes of intolerance and violence perpetrated by Hindu extremists
“The local government has not even indicated new homes for the dislodged families”, Fr Babu Joseph spokesman of the Indian Bishops’ Conference told Fides “It is very sad to see the civil administration give way to such Movements. The order is a violation of the freedom and rights of these Indian families. It is a serious action which is contrary to freedom and rights sanctioned by India’s constitution. We call on the government to guarantee and protect these rights and to take measures to halt spreading fundamentalism promoted by RSS” he said.
Because of its ideology and past and recent history RSS is among 39 ideological danger groups listed by US based Terrorism Research Centre (see Fides 30/5/2005). But RSS is very powerful and active throughout India.
The RSS roughneck Fascist paramilitary system is alien to India’s history and the traditional pluralism and tolerance of Indian culture. Today 109 Christian families who ask only to live and to bring up their children peacefully are victims of RSS strategies and intolerance. At this point care must be taken to prevent RSS from becoming another militia like the Nazi SS able to destroy the history of a great and peaceful country with centuries old traditions of social harmony and which, despite difficulties, is still the largest workshop for dialogue and peace in Asia.
(Agenzia Fides 7/6/2005 righe 32 parole 324)
