ASIA/INDIA - For Catholics in Orissa threats are a daily reality, the situation is unbearable: Catholic Archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneshwar launches appeal through Fides

Bhubaneshwar (Fides Service) - “Our missionaries and our other church personnel are all afraid. It is dangerous to move about. Christians are jeered and boycotted every day amidst the total indifference of the civil authorities and the local police. The situation is unbearable” said Archbishop Raphael Cheenath of Cuttack-Bhubaneshwar in Orissa with regard to the situation of Catholics in his area.
Orissa state has been in the news lately because of anti-Christian violence on the part of Hindu fundamentalists. In fact the local administration agreed to demolish the homes of 109 Christian families. Local sources say the decision was inspired by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS National Voluntary Corps”) one of several modern neo-Fascist-Nazi type of organisations which use violence to promote nationalist Hindutva ideology very strong in Orissa.
The Archbishop told Fides that episodes of intolerance more or less violent happen every day. “On 11 June we will open our newly re-built church of Our Lady of Charity at Raikia. The building was destroyed by fundamentalists in August 2004. And violence continues. Catholics are afraid. Many tribal Christians are being forced to renounce the faith and return to Hinduism. They say life is impossible they are denied access to water, the market, essential services. Our missionaries are harassed and threatened as they visit villages and their lives are in danger”.
The Archbishop said: “The local government and police do nothing. The criminals are not punished they are not brought to justice. The reasons for this are mainly political. Orissa is governed by the nationalist Baratiya Janata Party (BJP) which cannot afford to lose the favour of fundamentalists who would stage public protests”.
The Archbishop added, “dialogue is the only way to improve relations with people who are often indoctrinated and negatively influenced by fundamentalists who are a small but well organised, powerful and dangerous minority. They are economically supported by many local businessman and have the support of the local government and this makes them feel stronger”.
The Archbishop calls on all who stand for the principles of freedom, justice and democracy in India at the national level to intervene to protect minorities in keeping with the nation’s tradition of pluralism and tolerance.
(Agenzia Fides 8/6/2005 righe 31 parole 316)