2 October 2008 – Birth Anniversary of Gandhi
THE CHURCH
-ITS PRIESTS AND SISTERS AND OTHER CHRISTIANS-
ARE UNDER ATTACK IN 12 STATES/PROVINCES OF INDIA:
VIZ. BIHAR, CHHATTISGARH, JHARKHAND, KARNATAKA, ORISSA, KERALA,
MADHYA PRADESH, NEW DELHI, PUNJAB, UTTARPRADESH, TAMIL NAIDU, UTTARKHAND
On August 16, 2008 Fr. Thomas Pandippally, of the Congregation of Mary Immaculate, watered the ground with his blood when he was martyred at the hands of Hindu extremists in Orissa, India, -- precisely because he was a Christian. It was only the beginning. Asia News reports that Anti-Christian violence is only getting worse. Since August 24, 2008, 59 Christians have been killed, 18,000 injured, 177 churches destroyed or damaged, 4,300 homes set on fire, and 13 schools and colleges destroyed. The 'All India Christian Council' provides the following breakdown according to Indian States as the wave of persecution has now spread beyond Orissa: ORISSA: 14 districts affected; 300 villages destroyed; 4,300 houses burnt; 50,000 homeless; 57 people murdered; 10 Priests/Sisters injured; 2 women gang-raped; 18,000 men, women and children injured; 149 churches as well as 13 schools and colleges destroyed. KARNATAKA: 4 districts devastated; 19 churches attacked; 20 Sisters and other women injured. KERALA: 3 churches damaged. MADHYA PRADESH: 4 churches damaged. DELHI: 1 church destroyed; attempts made against 4 others. TAMAIL NADU: 1 church attacked. UTTAR PRADESH: Two people, an old priest and employee, have been murdered. (For a complete report, please see:
Summary of Attacks on Christians in India during the Last Month at
http://indianchristians.in/news/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/Shocked and grieved by the incidents of extreme violence unleashed against the Christian community recently in various parts of our Country, the members of the Dominican Family worldwide express their utter disappointment at the apathy and inaction of the Governments at the Centre and in the affected States.
Our Dominican Family members are among the Christian population that is threatened in India. We have a province of Friars, six apostolic congregations, a monastery and fraternities of the Laity. In light of the crisis there, we urge all Dominicans around the world to write to key officials:
MADAM PRATIBHA PATELPresident of IndiaRashtrapati Bhavan, New DelhiINDIAFAX (91) 11-2301 7290 or(91) 11-2301 7824
http://us.mc333.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=presidentofindia@rb.nic.inDR. MANMOHAN SINGHPrime Minster of India
Prime Minster's Office,
South BlockRaisina Hill, New Delhi 110 011INDIA
FAX (91) 11-2301 9545 or (91) 11-2301 6857
http://us.mc333.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=pmosb@pmo.nic.inThe Chairperson National Human Rights Commission, Faridkot House, Copernicus Marg, New Delhi, 110001INDIA
FAX (91) 11 2338 4863 covdnhrc@nic.in; ionhrc@nic.in;
http://us.mc333.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=chairnhrc@nic.inWe ask also that you contact diplomatic representatives of India in your country. We offer the following letter as an example for your use with these communications:
Dear (Name):
We write with deep concern over the communal violence that engulfed the district of Khandhamal in Orissa since the eve of Christmas. The violence has led to the death of persons, injury to many and thousands of people have been rendered homeless and destitute. Many houses have been torched and looted. Hundreds of people have fled to the woods. The victims of this violence have been Christians. As of date the Church, its Priests, Sisters and other Christians are under attack in 12 states: Viz. Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Orissa, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, New Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Naidu, and Uttarkhand. The timing of the attacks and the way they have been carried out reveal that there is a dangerous attempt by some forces to eliminate Christians and to annihilate Christianity.
The State has failed in its duty to protect the rights of Christians - protection of life and personal liberty; freedom of conscience; free profession, practice and propagation of religion – the very rights enshrined in the Constitution of the country (Articles 21 & 25) and in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR Articles 18 & 27) to which the Government of India is a party.
It is India’s ancient civilization that is being humiliated and the values such as Ahimsa, Truth, Tolerance, and Respect for Religions that India has jealously preserved for centuries that are being dragged to the dust. It is India’s good name that has been tarnished and her secular and democratic image that has been seriously damaged before the international community. These recent horrors in various parts of our country have disgraced the high ideals and principles that our wise leaders and saints upheld and the vision that our Founders cherished.
Today, we celebrate the birth anniversary of Gandhi: a very special day not only for India but for the entire world. The UN has declared this date - 2nd October - as “The International Day for Non-Violence.” The current crisis in India – and in other parts of our world -- demands that people of goodwill everywhere work to reclaim Gandhi’s commitment to non-violent transformation of society.
In this context, we appeal to you to initiate suitable measures so as to:
Protect the rights and the lives and the properties of Christians in Orissa and other states.
Provide immediate relief and adequate compensation to the victims as per ICCPR Article 2.3.1
Ensure peace and harmony in the affected States so that people may live without fear and may freely practice their faith.
Yours sincerely,
(Signature)
You may also refer to our letter “Protection of the Rights of the Christian Minorities in Orissa & Gujarat, India” by JP International Promoters on 17th January 2008 for further background on the issue of violence in Orissa.
IN DOMINIC AND CATHERINE,
PRAKASH LOHALE OP AND TONI HARRIS OP
INTERNATIONAL DOMINICAN CO-PROMOTERS FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE
