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There has been significant ] in the state of ], ], increasing in the past several years. The tension in the region, between Hindus and Christian converts, has been centred on issues such as economic challenges, caste inequality and religious intolerance. A major contention has been the issue of religious conversion, which has been legislated on in the Orissa Freedom of Religion Act 1967 banning conversion under allurement and coercion.


]]]
==Historical Background==


'''Religious violence in Odisha''' consists of ] and ]s in the remote forest region surrounding the ] in the western parts of the Indian state of ].
] ] ] visited ] in the 14th Century and wrote about his visit to ] in a journal which he later published in Europe. In the journal, Odoric wrote in detail about a huge ] in ] which taken out annually ]. According to Odoric, people sacrificed themselves to the ] ]. The ]'s account of the human sacrifice spread throughout Europe and by the ] the word 'juggernaut' began to be associated with an object of such proportions capable of destroying everything in its path. At the time Orissa was known in Europe as the region where the oft-mentioned ] was located.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/edu/2001/10/30/stories/2001103000070202.htm |title=The Hindu : Is `juggernaut' derived from Lord Jagannath? |publisher=Hinduonnet.com |date= |accessdate=2008-09-18}}</ref>


The Kandhamal district contains several tribal reservations where only tribal people can own land. The largest community in Kandhamal is the ] tribe. Most Kandha tribal people follow tribal and ] forms of ]. However, the socio-economic and political landscape of Kandhamal is dominated by its second-largest community, the non-tribal Pana caste. The region is also home to the ] ], a revolutionary ] movement. Maoist leader ] stated groups tend to recruit most of their leaders and cadre insurgents from tribal communities. He reiterated the Maoists's religious position: "We do not believe in any religion or are attached to any religious groups. We are not in favour of any religion."<ref> '']'' - 5 October 2008</ref>
Baptist Christian missionaries first came to Orissa in 1822 during the British rule.<ref>A Narrative of the Mission to Orissa: (the Site of the Temple of Jugurnath): Supported by the New Connexion of General Baptists in England
By Amos Sutton, Published by David Marks for the Free-will Baptist Connexion, 1833</ref>


Major issues in Kandhamal that have led to tensions are claims that "The Scheduled Caste and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act" is violated. Such claims include the forcible occupation of tribal land, fake issuance of tribal and exploiting tribals for insurgent activities. This previously resulted in civil unrest and communal tensions in 1986, 1994 and 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/quota-conversion-fueled-kandhamal-riots-panel/96260-3.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090704144310/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/quota-conversion-fueled-kandhamal-riots-panel/96260-3.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 July 2009 |title=Panel gives report on Kandhamal riots - India News - IBNLive |publisher=Ibnlive.in.com |access-date=19 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mha.nic.in/pdfs/AR%28E%290809.pdf |title=fresh samples |access-date=19 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721173135/http://www.mha.nic.in/pdfs/AR(E)0809.pdf |archive-date=21 July 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/health/orissa-tribal-community-accuses-state-government-of-bias_100191197.html |title=Orissa tribal community accuses state government of bias - Thaindian News |publisher=Thaindian.com |date=12 May 2009 |access-date=19 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/oct/05orissa1.htm |title=Why Swami Laxmanananda was killed |work=Rediff.com |date=31 December 2004 |access-date=19 September 2011}}</ref><ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410014507/http://www.socialjustice.nic.in/poa-act.pdf|date=10 April 2009}}</ref>
As one of the poorest regions of India, Orissa has been fertile ground for missionary work. In several districts the people have been susceptible to conversion, where they today form a significant fraction of the population.


==Background==
0. R. Bachelor gives a description of missionary work in Orissa in 1856:<ref> HINDUISM AND CHRISTIANITY ORISSA:
A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRY. RELIGION, MANNERS AND CUSTOMS, OF
THE HINDUS, AN ACCOUNT OF THE OPERATIONS OF THE AMERICAN FREEWILL
BAPTIST MISSION IN NORTHERN ORISSA. BY 0. R. BACHELER, M. D.
BOSTON,GEO. C. RAND & AVERT. 1856</ref>


===Historical background of conversions===
:"OUR first missionaries. Brethren Phillips and Noyes, with their wives, having arrived in India, spent the first six months, while engaged in the study of the language, laboring in connection with the English General Baptist missionaries; ...They preached and distributed books as extensively as they were able, and there laid the foundation for our boarding-school system. Six starving children were given them by their parents or relatives, and with them our school commenced. ...Not long after, others were rescued from death, in a time of famine 5 and their number increased to fifty."
] ] ] visited India in the 14th century and wrote about his visit to ] in a journal which he later published in Europe. In the journal, Odoric wrote in detail about a huge chariot containing idols of ] deities from the grand and famous ] temple which is taken out annually in a procession known as the ]. Odoric's account of the ceremony spread throughout Europe and by the 19th century the word ] began to be associated with an unstoppable force of such proportions that is capable of destroying everything in its path.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/edu/2001/10/30/stories/2001103000070202.htm|title=Is 'juggernaut' derived from Lord Jagannath?|access-date=28 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080307144244/http://www.hinduonnet.com/edu/2001/10/30/stories/2001103000070202.htm|archive-date=7 March 2008|url-status=usurped|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Subsequently, ] missionaries came to Odisha in 1822 during the ]'s colonial rule over India.<ref>A Narrative of the Mission to Orissa: (the Site of the Temple of Jugurnath): Supported by the New Connexion of General Baptists in England By Amos Sutton, Published by David Marks for the Free-will Baptist Connexion, 1833</ref>


===After India's independence===
The missionaries ran into opposition from the local ] community who opposed their work:
The communal disharmony arose even before ] in 1947 on aforementioned issue of religious conversion. Conversions have been legislated by the provisions of the ] (acts replicated in numerous other parts through India). Odisha was the first provinces of independent India to enact legislation in regards to religious conversions. The Orissa Freedom of Religion Act, 1967, mentions that no person shall "convert or attempt to convert, either directly or otherwise, any person from one religious faith to another by the use of force or by inducement or by any fraudulent means".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://indianchristians.in/news/images/resources/pdf/orissa_freedom_of_religion_act-text_only.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2008-09-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226095619/http://indianchristians.in/news/images/resources/pdf/orissa_freedom_of_religion_act-text_only.pdf |archive-date=26 February 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="religionrules"/> Christian missions have been active in Odisha among the tribals and ] from the early years of the twentieth century. Right-wing Hindus have alleged that the increase in the number of Christians in Odisha has been a result of an exploitation of illiteracy and impoverishment by the missionaries in contravention of the law, instead of ].<ref>{{dead link|date=September 2011}}</ref>


===Conversion controversy===
:"Another obstacle is found in the power and in fluence of the Brahmans, the hereditary priests of Hinduism. They are the most intelligent, the best educated, and the most influential class. ... They will oppose to the uttermost, both with their legitimate influence and their ecclesiastical authority, the introduction of a system that must necessarily subvert their power and deprive them of the support and confidence of the people."
Behind the clashes are long-simmering tensions between equally impoverished groups: the ] tribe, who are 80% of the population, and the ]. Both are original inhabitants of the land. There has been an Indian tradition of ]. ]s, considered ] people, are subject to social and economic discrimination. This is outlawed in the ], however, the prejudices remain. Conversion from untouchability has encouraged millions of such people to escape from their circumstances through joining other religions. The Panas have converted to Christianity in large numbers and prospered financially.<ref name=" IBNCHRISTIAN">{{cite web|title=Caste, tribe, conversion make Orissa district volatile|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/caste-tribe-conversion-make-orissa-district-volatile/55272-3.html}}</ref> Over the past several decades, most of the Panas have become ].<ref name="nyt">{{Cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/13/world/asia/13india.html | work=The New York Times | title=Hindu Threat to Christians: Convert or Flee | first=Somini | last=Sengupta | date=13 October 2008 | access-date=22 May 2010}}</ref>


Hindu nationalist groups have blamed the violence on the issue of religious conversion. Conversions have been legislated by the provisions of the Freedom of Religion Acts, replicated in some of the states in India. Odisha was the first state of independent India to enact legislation on religious conversions. The Orissa Freedom of Religion Act, 1967, stipulates that 'no person shall "convert or attempt to convert, either directly or otherwise, any person from one religious faith to another by the use of force or by inducement or by any fraudulent means"'.<ref name="religionrules">{{cite web|url=http://indianchristians.in/news/images/resources/pdf/orissa_freedom_of_religion_rules-text_only.pdf|title=Orissa Freedom of Religion Rules, 1989|access-date=18 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721162421/http://indianchristians.in/news/images/resources/pdf/orissa_freedom_of_religion_rules-text_only.pdf|archive-date=21 July 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="religionact">{{cite web|url=http://indianchristians.in/news/images/resources/pdf/orissa_freedom_of_religion_act-text_only.pdf|title=Orissa Freedom of Religion Act, 1967|access-date=18 September 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226095619/http://indianchristians.in/news/images/resources/pdf/orissa_freedom_of_religion_act-text_only.pdf|archive-date=26 February 2009|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Hindus claim the Christian missionaries were converting poor tribal people by feeding them beef, which is ] in Hinduism.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}
This marked the beginning of the confrontation between the two communities. 0. R. Bachelor expressed satisfaction at the achievements of missionaries in the first few decades:


The missionaries would upgrade the mud houses of the converts into brick-lime. Hindus have further alleged that the increase in the number of Christians in Odisha has been a result of exploitation of illiteracy and impoverishment by the missionaries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flonnet.com/stories/20080926251902600.htm |title=Conversion debate |publisher=Flonnet.com |access-date=18 September 2008}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref name="orissa1">{{cite web|url=http://www.orissa.gov.in/p%26c/ |title=Planning & Coordination |publisher=Orissa.gov.in |access-date=18 September 2008}}</ref> The Census of India shows that Christian population in Kandhamal grew from around 43,000 in 1981 to 117,950 in 2001.<ref> Census of India 2001</ref>
:"Where for ages past the ] trod in ] procession, where heathen rites and ceremonies from time immemorial had been celebrated, there a new song is sung, and the God of the ] is, we hope, worshipped in spirit and in truth"

==After India's Independence==

Religious disharmony arose even before ] on aforementioned issue of religious conversion. Conversions have been legislated by the provisions of the Freedom of Religion Acts (acts replicated in numerous other parts through India). Orissa was the first province of independent India to enact legislation on religious conversions. The Orissa Freedom of Religion Act, ], stipulates that no person shall “convert or attempt to convert, either directly or otherwise, any person from one religious faith to another by the use of force or by inducement or by any fraudulent means”.<ref name="religionact">{{cite web|url=http://indianchristians.in/news/images/resources/pdf/orissa_freedom_of_religion_act-text_only.pdf|title=Orissa Freedom of Religion Act, 1967|accessdate=2008-09-18}}</ref><ref name="religionrules">{{cite web|url=http://indianchristians.in/news/images/resources/pdf/orissa_freedom_of_religion_rules-text_only.pdf|title=Orissa Freedom of Religion Rules, 1989|accessdate=2008-09-18}}</ref> Christian missions have been in action in Orissa among the tribals and ] from the early years of the previous century. Hindus have alleged that the increase in the number of Christians in Orissa has been a result of exploitation of illiteracy and impoverishment by the missionaries in contravention of the law, instead of ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flonnet.com/stories/20080926251902600.htm |title=Conversion debate |publisher=Flonnet.com |date= |accessdate=2008-09-18}}</ref><ref name="orissa1">{{cite web|url=http://www.orissa.gov.in/p%26c/ |title=Planning &amp; Coordination |publisher=Orissa.gov.in |date= |accessdate=2008-09-18}}</ref> The Orissa government's records reveal the unimaginably huge funds received from abroad by the missions through overt channels. The transactions through covert channels are not available to public scrutiny.<ref name="orissa1"/> The Census of India shows that Christians constituted 75597 of the population of Kandhmal district in 1991. In the 2001 Census, their population had gone up to 117950.


==Staines killing== ==Staines killing==
] was an ] missionary working with the ], an Australian missionary society. On the night of January 22, 1999, he had attended a proselytisation meeting of Christians in ] district. In the night he was sleeping in his ] when it was set afire. Graham and his two sons, ten-year-old Philip and six-year-old Timothy, were killed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7166297.stm|title=BBC NEWS | South Asia | Indian minister in Orissa visit|date=2008-01-02|publisher=BBC|language=English|accessdate=2008-09-18}}</ref>. ] was an Australian Christian ] working with the ], an Australian missionary society that was engaged in the education of poor and illiterate indigenous tribes in Odisha. He also worked among the ] patients in the region. On the night of 22 January 1999, he was sleeping in his ] when it was set afire. Graham and his two sons, ten-year-old Philip and six-year-old Timothy, were killed.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7166297.stm|title= Indian minister in Orissa visit|date=2 January 2008|access-date=18 September 2008 |work=BBC News}}</ref><ref name="Chatterji">{{cite book|first1=Angana P.|last1=Chatterji|title=Violent Gods: Hindu Nationalism in India's Present; Narratives from Orissa|url=https://archive.org/details/violentgodshindu00chat|url-access=registration|year=2009|publisher=Three Essays Collective|isbn=978-8188789450 |page=}}</ref> ], a Hindu fundamentalist from ] in ], was arrested for the crime. On 22 September 2003 a court appointed by the ] sentenced Dara Singh to death and 12 others to life imprisonment for the murders.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2021/stories/20031024003902400.htm|title=The Staines case verdict|access-date=28 June 2015|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100901033038/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2021/stories/20031024003902400.htm|archive-date=1 September 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
The Wadhwa Commission ruled out the direct involvement of any organisation in the killings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2021/stories/20031024003902400.htm|title=The Staines case verdict|date=2003-10-10|publisher=Frontline|accessdate=2008-09-18}}</ref>


On September 22, 2003 an appointed court of the Central Bureau of Investigation sentenced ] to death and 12 others to life imprisonment for the murders.<ref>http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2021/stories/20031024003902400.htm The Staines case verdict</ref> .On May 2005, the Orissa High Court commuted Singh's sentence to life imprisonment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2005/may/19staines.htm |title=Staines murder: Dara Singh's death rap set aside |publisher=Rediff.com |date= |accessdate=2008-09-19}}</ref> Dara Singh, as an active ] follower, was suspected of being involved in a larger conspiracy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.india-today.com/itoday/08021999/cover.html |title=Cover Story: Staines' Killing: Burning Shame |publisher=India-today.com |date=8 February 1999 |access-date=19 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081122064735/http://www.india-today.com/itoday/08021999/cover.html |archive-date=22 November 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> However, the Wadhwa Commission ruled out the involvement of any organization in the killings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2021/stories/20031024003902400.htm|title=The Staines case verdict|date=10 October 2003|publisher=Frontline|access-date=18 September 2008|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100901033038/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2021/stories/20031024003902400.htm|archive-date=1 September 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In May 2005, the Odisha High Court commuted Singh's sentence to life imprisonment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2005/may/19staines.htm |title=Staines murder: Dara Singh's death rap set aside |work=Rediff.com |access-date=19 September 2008}}</ref>


The murders were widely condemned by religious and civic leaders, politicians, and journalists. The US-based ] accused the then Indian Government of failing to prevent violence against Christians, and of exploiting ] tensions for political ends. The organisation said attacks against Christians increased "significantly" since the "]" BJP came to power.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/626979.stm|title=Missionary 'killer' arrested in India|website=news.bbc.co.uk|access-date=28 December 2017}}</ref> Then-Prime Minister of India, ], a leader of BJP, condemned the "ghastly attack" and called for swift action to catch the killers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/261391.stm|title=Thousands mourn missionary's death|website=news.bbc.co.uk|access-date=28 December 2017}}</ref> Published reports stated that church leaders alleged the attacks were carried out at the behest of hardline Hindu organisations. Hindu hardliners accused Christian missionaries of forcibly converting poor and low-caste Hindus and tribals. The convicted killer Dara Singh was treated as a hero by hardline Hindus and reportedly protected by some villagers. In an interview with the Hindustan Times, one of the accused killers, Mahendra Hembram, stated that the killers "were provoked by the "corruption of tribal culture" by the missionaries, who they claimed fed villagers beef and gave women brassieres and sanitary towels."
==December 2007==
===Kandhmal background===
The Kandhamal district has 600,000 people of which approximately 120,000 are Christians.<ref></ref> Kandhamal has two different communities - the Kandha tribe and Paana caste. The Kandha tribe is 80% of the population and the rest belong to the ] ]. The Panas have converted to Christianity in large numbers and prospered financially. <ref name=" IBNCHRISTIAN">{{cite web |title=Caste, tribe, conversion make Orissa district volatile|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/caste-tribe-conversion-make-orissa-district-volatile/55272-3.html}}</ref>


In her affidavit before the Commission on the death of her husband and two sons, Gladys Staines stated:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hvk.org/specialrepo/wadhwa/Graham.html|title=Graham Stewart Staines: His Background|date=9 April 2011|access-date=28 December 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110409123228/http://www.hvk.org/specialrepo/wadhwa/Graham.html|archive-date=9 April 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
===2007 violence===
Church authorities informed the Sub-Collector that the Kui Samaj had given a call for a bandh on 25-26 December to press their demands regarding various issues. They requested the district authorities to remain alert and preempt any trouble. On 23 December 2007, however, Christians of ] village tried to erect a Christmas gate in front of a Hindu place of worship. The incident caused clashes between the Christian and Hindu communities.
<ref name="ref1">{{citeweb | url= http://ncm.nic.in/pdf/orissa%20report.pdf | title= Report of the NCM visit to Orissa, 6-8 January 2008 |publisher=NCM |accessdate = 2008-08-26}}</ref>


"The Lord God is always with me to guide me and help me to try to accomplish the work of Graham, but I sometimes wonder why Graham was killed and also what made his assassins behave in such a brutal manner on the night of 22nd/23rd January 1999. It is far from my mind to punish the persons who were responsible for the death of my husband Graham and my two children. But it is my desire and hope that they would repent and would be reformed."
], a respected Hindu Guru, visited the site and was assaulted by a group of gunmen, leading to further clashes between Hindus and Christians.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/story/353136.html |title=Slain vhp man was conversion king |publisher=Indianexpress.com |date= |accessdate=2008-09-18}}</ref>.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.newsweek.com/id/81970/page/1 | title = Christians fear attacks by Indian Hindus | Publisher = newsweek | article date = 2007-12-29 | access date = 2008-01-01}}</ref>


==Ranalai incident==
The authorities imposed a curfew in order to control the situation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/000200712272184.htm|title = Violence continues at Orissa's Kandhamal district|Publisher = The Hindu|Access Date = 2008-01-01 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/27/stories/2007122750280100.htm | title = Curfew continues in four Orissa towns | Publisher = The Hindu | Access Date = 2008-01-01 }}</ref>


On 16 March 1999 a ] mob of 5,000 attacked Ranalai (PIN – 761 017) in Gajapati District and set houses on fire<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archive.tehelka.com/story_main40.asp?filename=Ne130908HindutvasViolentHistory.asp |title=Tehelka - India's Independent Weekly News Magazine |access-date=2014-02-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221170851/http://archive.tehelka.com/story_main40.asp |archive-date=21 February 2014 |df=dmy-all }} Tehelka magazine Vol 5, Issue 36, Dated Sept 13, 2008</ref><ref>Volume 16 – Issue 8, 10 – 23 Apr 1999, India’s National Magazine from the publishers of The Hindu</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontline.in/static/html/fl1608/16080360.htm|title=Another attack in Orissa|website=www.frontline.in|access-date=28 December 2017}}</ref> and engaged in ]. Three Christian people were injured. The then Chief Minister of Odisha, Sri ], visited the village the next day.
Concerned with rising violence,after their assault on the Swami, some ] leaders lodged a complaint with the Police for protection. <ref>{{citeweb | title=Vandals in Orissa| url=http://www.asianage.com/presentation/leftnavigation/opinion/op-ed/vandals-in-orissa.aspx | publisher= Asian Age | accessdate- January 9, 2008}}</ref>


==December 2007==
The outbreak of violence started on 24th December, 2007 at 8.00 a.m. at Bamunigam village, close to the police station under Daringibadi Block of Kandhamal District. Some Hindu activists.<ref> >{{citeweb | url = http://tehelka.com/story_main37.asp?filename=Ne190108next_stop.asp |publisher=Tehalka |title=Tehelka:: Free. Fair. Fearless:Next Stop Orissa|accessdate = 2008-09-08}} </ref> forcefully removed the Christmas decoration, which the Ambedkar Baniko Sangho comprising the local Christian entrepreneurs, had put up as a preparation for Christmas, with the permission from the administration <ref name="ref1"/> The pandal was erected on the very site used by the Hindus to celebrate the Durga Puja festival in October.
<ref>{{citeweb | url= http://ncm.nic.in/pdf/orissa%20report.pdf | title= Report of the NCM visit to Orissa, 6-8 January 2008 |publisher=NCM |accessdate = 2008-08-26}} </ref> This was followed by exchange of hot words between two groups. Within a few minutes violence erupted. Two shots were fired into the air. People dispersed out of fear.

By December 29, 2007 nearly 700 persons of both faiths, mainly Christians, had to move to government-run relief camps to avoid attacks. {{Fact|date=September 2008}}Three persons were killed: one Christian, one Hindu while the identity of the third is yet to be established, as per the subsequent NCM Report.

By December 30, rioting was got under control by the security forces such as the ]. For the first time since the violence started, church services were held under tight security. The total number of security personnel deployed was about 2,500 police and paramilitary. The total number of people taking shelter in relief camps increased to 1200. <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?rep=2&aid=415899&archisec=REG | title = Sunday services held amid tight security in Orissa | article date = 2007-12-30 |access date = 2008-01-02}}</ref>

On Jan 1, 2008 further violence was reported at several places Police said at least 20 houses and shops were torched at Phiringia, Khajuripada, Gochapada and Brahmanigaon by rioters on Tuesday night (January 1, 2008) <ref name="indianexpress1">{{ cite web | publisher= Press Trust of India as seen in Indian Express | url=http://www.indianexpress.com/story/257086.html |title= Fresh violence in Kandhamal, Patil promises compensation | accessdate= 2006-01-03}}</ref>

Jacob Pradhan, general secretary of the Kandhamal district chapter of the Christian Endeavour Union, stated that around 100 houses belonging to Hindus were burnt in Brahmanigaon, Godapur, Barakhama and some other villages on December 26 and 27. He suspected that these houses were torched by sections of “misguided Christians” possibly incited by Maoists. “You can read Christian-sounding names of ]s who are reported in local newspapers as having been arrested. It seems to me that some from Christian families who are not religious and involved in the Maoist movement – like those from other faiths – instigated attacks on the houses of Hindus.”<ref>http://www.compassdirect.org/en/display.php?page=news&lang=en&length=long&idelement=5210 INDIA: MAOISTS SAID TO RECRUIT VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE</ref><ref>http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080038179 NGO-Maoist link in Kandhamal</ref>.

===Response===
The Prime Minister of India ] and other political parties condemned the violence.<ref>{{cite web|Publisher=The Hindu|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/27/stories/2007122750280100.htm|title=Curfew continues in four Orissa towns|accessdate=2008-01-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=415898&archisec=NAT|title=Zee News - PM assures of restoring peace in Orissa|date = 2007-12-30|accessdate=2008-01-02}}</ref>
Taking serious note of the attacks on churches and Christians in Orissa, the ], a body comprising of only Non-Hindu members, sought a report from the state government on the violence in four towns of ] <ref>{{Cite web | url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Orissa_violence_NCM_seeks_report/articleshow/2655416.cms | title = Orissa violence: NCM seeks report | date = 2007-12-27 | accessdate = 2008-01-01 }}</ref>

Organizations such as the American ] alleged that the December 2007 violence was a continuation of an "anti Christian" campaign being run by right-winged Hindu groups for several years, and that government officials had been ignoring the risk to the Christian community. <ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200712291638.htm | title = HRW seeks end to Hindu-Christian violence in Orissa | publisher = The Hindu | date = 2007-12-29 | accessdate = 2008-01-01}} </ref>

Union Home minister ] visited relief camps and promised compensation to the victims of the communal riot. He asked the Orissa Government, led by Chief Minister ], to probe the riots instead of entirely depending on the reports of the judicial commission of inquiry. <ref name="indianexpress1"/>

The Orissa government ordered a Judicial enquiry on the violence. <ref>{{cite web | url=http://in.news.yahoo.com/071228/43/6oyhn.html | title = Retired judge to probe Orissa riots as police firing kills four| publisher = IANS as reported on Yahoo! News | articledate = 2007-12-28 | accessdate= 2008-01-03}}</ref>

=== National Commission for Minorities report ===

The ], a non-Hindu membership body constituted by the ] to monitor and evaluate the progress of people classified as minorities by the Indian government, investigated the Christmas violence. Their report concluded:

:1. The official accounts sought to stress the complexity of the situation in Kandhamal district and '''attributed the violence to the confusion over the High Court Order''' on the inclusion of SC Christians in the ST category which is vehemently opposed by the Kui tribes in the area. The situation is certainly complex and overlaid with multi-layered contradictions. The conflation of caste-tribe-communal issues has contributed to the aggravation of social conflicts in this area.
:2. The State Government must look into the speeches of Swami Lakshmananda to determine whether they amount to incitement to violence and take appropriate action.
:3. The State Government must issue a White Paper on the conversion issue to dispel '''fears and suspicions that have been assiduously raised about the Christian community and the role of its institutions.''' The 1991 Census shows the Christians constituted 75597 of the population of Kandhmal district whereas in the 2001 Census their population had gone up to 117950.
:4. Rehabilitation package announced by the Orissa Government needs to be reviewed to provide rehabilitation keeping in view the actual loss suffered by the victims of violence.
:5. Augmenting the number of police personnel and providing them with adequate training and equipment was also imperative. Moreover for reasons that have not been explained the State Government was reluctant in reaching out to civil society and NGOs working as they do work at the grassroots can provide authorities with advance information about simmering tension and co-operate in the prevention of such incidents.
:6. Orissa does not have a State Minorities Commission. The State Government must take the necessary steps to set up a statutory Minorities Commission for safeguarding the rights of minorities.
:7. The confusion created by the High Court Order needs to be swiftly cleared to prevent further outbreak of tensions between '''STs and SCs'''. The government must address the obvious tensions that will arise from the different treatment given in the matter of reservation to Christians belonging to the SC community and the ST community. If Christian tribals are backward Christian SCs are no less so. To create an artificial distinction between the two is simply to communalise poverty and drive a wedge between two homogenous groups who are among the most deprived. The group therefore, recommends that the reservation given to Christian tribals should be extended to cover Christian SCs who are of exactly the same background and are subject to exactly the same disadvantage.
:8. There are other reasons which Kuis cite which are that taking advantage of their illiteracy etc the Panas have acted as middle men to exploit them notably by grabbing their lands. The Kuis also allege that SC Christians obtain false certificates as Hindu SCs to take the benefits of reservations.
:9. None of the above must detract from the social and economic backwardness of the district. Every indicator points to acute poverty, illiteracy, ill-health, lack of infrastructure, in short, an absence of development. Nearly two thirds of the people in this district live below the poverty line. Even as the authorities are called upon to show greater vigilance to prevent the outbreak of violence, the Government must urgently address issues of social exclusion and structural inequities.<ref>{{citeweb | url= http://ncm.nic.in/pdf/orissa%20report.pdf | title= Report of the NCM visit to Orissa, 6- January 2008 |publisher=NCM |accessdate = 2008-08-26}}</ref> The Report did not consider aggression by Christians in the riot.

== August 2008 violence ==
===Swami Lakshmanananda Murder===
On the evening of Saturday, ], ], the octogenarian ] Saraswati, a leader of Vishwa Hindu Parishad was killed at his Jalespata ashram in ] district in ], along with four others; three fellow leaders of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and a boy.<ref> The Economic Times - August 24, 2008</ref> The attackers, estimated at thirty gunmen, were originally suspected of being Maoist insurgents. Both the manner of attack and a letter found at the attack provided the basis for the initial suspicion. The government announced a special investigative probe into the attack.<ref> The Hindu - August 24, 2008</ref><ref> NDTV - August 24, 2008</ref>

However, Hindu groups in the state, including the BJP, blamed Christians for killing Lakshmananand. They cited Lakshmanananda's claims that Christians were trying to eliminate him for his opposition to conversion, and had attacked him eight times before. He was regularly receiving death threats and the last threat letter had been submitted to the Police only the day before the murder.{{Fact|date=September 2008}} <!---This does not appear to me to be a credible reference. A NGO, their report published on a blog site? I don't think so.<ref>http://bharatam1.googlepages.com/kandhamal.pdf Justice on Trial report on Kandhmal violence </ref> --->

On August 28, a letter of denial was received by a some ] outlets, the VHP office in the ] District of Orissa and the Bajrang Dal from a Maoist group. While the letter denied that the Central Committee of the Kotagarha branch of the Maoists had approved the attack, it claimed that some Maoists may have been bribed by Christians to launch the attack.<ref> The Hindu - August 29, 2008]</ref> Sources within the police force have said that Maoists could have carried out the operation to appease their Christian support base.<ref> NDTV - September 4, 2008 </ref> Soon after the appearance of the aforementioned letter, Azad, a leader of the Maoist People's Liberation Guerrilla Army, claimed responsibility for the murder of Lakshmanananda. Azad was suspected by the police of leading the attack himself. <ref name ="ToIaug30">{{cite web
| title = Maoists claim they killed 'fascist' VHP leader in Orissa
| publisher = ]
| date = 30 Aug 2008
| language = English
| url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Maoists_claim_Orissa_killing/articleshow/3423908.cms
| accessdate = 2008-08-31 }}</ref> On September 9, 2008 the Maoists, made an official press release claiming responsibility for the killing of Lakshmanananda. <ref name ="Maoistrelease"> {{cite web
| title = CPI Maoists claim VHP leader's killing
| publisher = NDTV
| date = Tuesday, September 09, 2008
| language = English
| url = http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080064612&ch=9/9/2008%209:16:00%20AM
| accessdate = 2008-09-09
}}</ref>

===Religious Violence===

After the killing of Swami Lakshmananda, the ] called for a statewide shutdown on Monday, ], ]. On the same day, rioters attacked a christian orphanage at Khuntpalli village in ] district. An employee of the orphanage, a local Hindu, was killed when the orphanage was set on fire.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1651054 |title=VHP activists set fire to orphanage, burn nun to death in Orissa - National News – News – MSN India - News |publisher=News.in.msn.com |date= |accessdate=2008-09-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200808261929.htm |title=The Hindu News Update Service |publisher=Hindu.com |date= |accessdate=2008-09-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release
| title = VHP bandh turns violent in Orissa, churches attacked
| publisher = All India Christian Council AICC
| date = ] ]
| format = html
| language = English
| url = http://indianchristians.in/news/content/view/2327/45/
| accessdate = 2008-08-27
| quote =
}}</ref>.

The statewide protest by the VHP and ] turned violent and was retaliated to by Christians. Amit Sharma of the ] said Hindu people in the area had taken the death of the Swami "very seriously, and now they are going to pay them back."<ref>{{cite journal | title = Indian state erupts in violence after Hindu shot
| publisher = CNN Asia
| date = ] ]
| format = html
| language = English
| url = http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/08/27/india.religion.violence/index.html
| accessdate = 2008-08-29 </ref>
A curfew was imposed in all towns in Kandhamal. Despite this, violence continued in Phulbani, Tumudibandh, Baliguda, Udaygiri, Nuagaon and Tikabali towns. The situation was so volatile that Minister of State for Home, ], and other Congress leaders belonging to the Congress party at the centre chaired by Sonia Gandhi, an Italian Catholic, who had arrived to visit the riot hit areas, were told by the state government that they could not do so because their presence might provoke the crowds, and had to return to ].{{Fact|date=September 2008}}

By August 29, 2008 at least 20 people were killed and 3000 people were reported to be living in government run relief camps. 1000 homes had been set on fire. {{Fact|date=September 2008}} Many others on both sides had to flee into jungle. All nine towns in the district were under a curfew, and the police had license to shoot. <ref>{{cite press release
| title = Is violence affecting India's image
| publisher = NDTV
| date = 28 Aug 2008
| language = English
| url =http://www.ndtv.com/debate/showdebate.aspshow=1&story_id=476&template=kandhmal&category=| accessdate = 2008-08-29
}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release
| title = Thousands homeless after Hindu-Christian violence in India
| publisher = International Herald Tribune
| date = 29 Aug 2008
| language = English
| url =http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/08/29/asia/29india.php
| accessdate = 2008-08-29
}}</ref>

On ], 2008 violence continued in several parts of the state. As a result curfew was imposed in Jeypore town of Orissa's Koraput district. Five police personnel were injured in mob violence. The state government sought additional paramilitary forces to combat the continuing violence. <ref>{{cite press release
| publisher = Press Trust of India
| date = Friday, August 31, 2008
| language = English
| url = http://www.ptinews.com/pti/ptisite.nsf/$all/734B313145EEC546652574B6005AC8B5
| accessdate = 2008-08-31
}}</ref>

On ], 2008 ] claimed the situation was under control. However, 558 houses and 17 places of worship were burnt in riots. 543 houses were burnt in the worst hit Kandhamal district. 12,539 people were fed in 10 relief camps, 783 people got the facilities in two relief camps in Rayagada district. In all, 12 companies of para-military forces, 24 platoons of Orissa State Armed Police, two sections of Armed Police Reserve forces and two teams of Special Operation Group (SOG) were deployed to control the riots.<ref name="558 houses, 17 places of worship torched during riot: Orissa govt">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/558_houses_17_places_of_worship_torched_during_riot_Orissa_govt/rssarticleshow/3431842.cms|title=558 houses, 17 places of worship torched during riot: Orissa govt|date=1 Sep 2008|publisher=Times of India|accessdate=2008-09-01}}</ref> On September 4th, 2008 in Tikabali, Kandhmal over 300 Hindu ] ] attacked a relief camp for the Christian riot victims. The rioters were protesting christians' having provisions in relief camps while the Hindu community was not so provided.


=== Incident at Brahmanigaon, Phulbani on 24 December ===
On September 7, 2008 ] leader Praveen Togadia announced that an All-India agitation would be launched if the killers of Lakshmananda were not arrested. The Church in turn demanded disnissal of the state government.<ref>{{cite press release
In December 2007, Christians had installed a Christmas arch across the road in the town of Brahmanigaon, ], having first received a permit from the police and sub-] to do so. On 24 December 2007 a group of 150–200 Hindus arrived at the town market and demanded that the arch be removed. The protesters argued that the arch along with a tent set up was erected on the very site used by the Hindus to celebrate the Durga Puja festival in October. Protesters then sought to close the weekly market and attempted to close all the shops in the area. The Christian shopkeepers refused to comply with this, leading to an outbreak of violence. More than 20 shops were looted and
| title = Orissa violence: VHP threatens nationwide stir
destroyed. Three persons were killed.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://tehelka.com/story_main37.asp?filename=Ne190108next_stop.asp | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120715034654/http://tehelka.com/story_main37.asp?filename=Ne190108next_stop.asp | url-status = dead | archive-date = 15 July 2012 | publisher = Tehalka | title = Tehelka:: Free. Fair. Fearless:Next Stop Orissa | access-date = 8 September 2008 }}</ref><ref name="ref1">{{cite web| url= http://ncm.nic.in/pdf/orissa%20report.pdf | title= Report of the NCM visit to Orissa, 6–8 January 2008 |publisher=NCM |access-date = 26 August 2008}}</ref>
| Author = IANS
| publisher = Economic Times
| date = 7 Sep, 2008, 2128 hrs IST
| language = English
| url = http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/Orissa_violence_VHP_threatens_nationwide_stir/articleshow/3456001.cms | accessdate = 2008-09-07
}}</ref>


===Attack on Swami Laxmanananda===
On 15 September 2008, ] reported attacks on two hindu temples in Orissa's ] district. One was attacked on the night of 14 September, and the other 2 weeks earlier.<ref></ref>
The violence escalated after news spread about Hindu monk Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati being attacked by a Christian fundamentalist mob en route to the spot of the confrontation.


Saraswati stated that he had left for Brahmanigaon to boost the "morale of the majority community". The ], in its report, stated that this was "indicative of his desire to exacerbate communal tensions".<ref name="Ncm.orissa.report">{{cite journal|author=National Council for Minority|title=Report of the NCM visit to Orissa, 6-8 January 2008|date=January 2008|page=5|url=http://ncm.nic.in/pdf/orissa%20report.pdf|access-date=1 November 2013}}</ref> Swami supporters, however, claimed that Christians at Brahmanigoan village wanted to install a Christmas gate in front of a Hindu temple. This was protested by the local Hindus questioning the motive of Christians in building a second gate near temple while one gate being already present at the place.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kandhamal violence was due to localised factor |url=https://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jan/08guest.htm}}</ref>
=== Political Fallout ===


In his statement, Swami blamed ], a recent Christian convert and Congress Member of Parliament (Upper House) {{citation needed span| text=and chief of Christian group World Vision|date=August 2015}} that allegedly led to further clashes between Hindus and Christians.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/story/353136.html |title=Slain vhp man was conversion king |work=Indianexpress |archive-date=4 January 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104110758/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/slain-vhp-man-was-conversion-king/353136/ |access-date=5 March 2017}}</ref><ref name="gpages">{{cite web |url=http://bharatam1.googlepages.com/kandhamal.pdf|title=Kandhamal (Orissa)|author=Justice on trial}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/61677/RSS-wing-blames-Cong-MP-for-triggering-communal-tension-in-Kandhamal.html|title=RSS wing blames Cong MP for triggering communal tension in Kandhamal|date=27 December 2007|access-date=29 September 2009|work=The Pioneer}}</ref>
The ruling government of Orissa, headed by ] ], was a coalition of the ] and the ] (BJD). In the 147-member state assembly the BJD-BJP combine has 93 members, 32 of whom are from the BJP.


The authorities imposed a curfew in order to control the situation.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/000200712272184.htm|archive-url = https://archive.today/20121111012637/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/000200712272184.htm|url-status = usurped|archive-date = 11 November 2012|title = Violence continues at Orissa's Kandhamal district|work = The Hindu|access-date = 1 January 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| url = http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/27/stories/2007122750280100.htm | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080103142028/http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/27/stories/2007122750280100.htm | url-status = dead | archive-date = 3 January 2008 | title = Curfew continues in four Orissa towns | access-date = 1 January 2008 | location=Chennai, India | work = ] | date=27 December 2007}}</ref> Concerned with rising violence, after the assault on Saraswati, some ] leaders lodged a complaint with the Police for protection.<ref>{{cite news| title=Vandals in Orissa| url=http://www.asianage.com/presentation/leftnavigation/opinion/op-ed/vandals-in-orissa.aspx | newspaper= Asian Age | access-date= 9 January 2008}}</ref>
Some BJP legislators blamed the government for not providing adequate protection to Saraswati, despite other attempts on his life. They called for withdrawing support from the government, which would lead to its collapse.


===Intervention by CRPF===
On Wednesday September 4, 2008, India's Supreme Court issued an order on a petition filed by ] Raphael Cheenath seeking a CBI enquiry and dismissal of the state government. The order asked the Orissa state government to report on steps taken to stop a wave of communal rioting that has claimed at least 16 lives. The supreme court also asked the Naveen Patnayak government to file an affidavit by September 4 ((huh)) explaining the circumstances under which it allowed VHP leader Praveen Togadia to carry out a procession with the Saraswati's ashes, an act that would clearly inflame further communal tension.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/14995 |title=SC directs Orissa govt to file affidavit on violence |publisher=Newstrackindia.com |date= |accessdate=2008-09-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5g2HKL26IMn2CB3GEE2igPxWvkL0A |title=AFP: India court demands report on anti-Christian violence |publisher=Afp.google.com |author=Sep 3, 2008 |date=September 3, 2008 |accessdate=2008-09-18}}</ref>
Togadia said that he never proposed to carry the "ashes" of Saraswati and alleged that Archbishop Raphael Cheenath had "lied under oath to the apex court". The dead body of Swamiji was not cremated as his was a samadhi, where a holy man is entombed on death. So the claims of the 'asthi-kalash yatra' (carrying of ashes), were not true.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/holnus/002200809050344.htm |title=The Hindu News Update Service |publisher=Thehindu.com |date= |accessdate=2008-09-18}}</ref> By 30 December, rioting was brought under control by the security forces such as the ]. The total number of security personnel deployed was about 2,500 police and paramilitary. The total number of people taking shelter in relief camps increased to 1200.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?rep=2&aid=415899&archisec=REG | title = Sunday services held amid tight security in Orissa | date = 30 December 2007 |access-date = 2 January 2008}}</ref>


== 2007 Christmas violence in Kandhamal ==
=== Response ===
{{Main|2007 Christmas violence in Kandhamal}}
{{IND}}'s Prime Minister ] called the Orissa violence a "shame" and offered all help from the Centre to end the communal clashes and restore normalcy. He said he would speak to Orissa chief minister Naveen Patnaik to urge him to take all necessary steps to end the violence.
The ] started during 24 December 2007 and ended after 4 days between groups led by ] together with the Sangh-affiliated Kui Samaj and the local Christians, which resulted in more than 100 churches, over 100 church institutions and about 700 houses and other structures were burnt down or damaged and at least three people killed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.orissapost.com/3706-acquitted-in-kandhamal-riots/|title=3,706 acquitted in Kandhamal riots|date=2020-01-24|website=Orissa Post|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2007/12/29/india-stop-hindu-christian-violence-orissa|title=India: Stop Hindu-Christian Violence in Orissa|date=2007-12-29|website=Human Rights Watch|language=en|access-date=2020-04-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sabrang.com/cc/archive/2008/jan08/cover2.html|title=Kandhamal: Hindutva's terror- Charting the history of sangh parivar violence in Orissa|last=Chatterji|first=Angana|date=January 2008|website=]|access-date=2020-04-17}}</ref>
<ref>http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/PM_calls_Orissa_violence_a_shame/articleshow/3419084.cms{{cite press release
| title = PM calls Orissa violence a 'shame'
| publisher = Times of India
| date = 29 Aug 2008
| language = English
| url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/PM_calls_Orissa_violence_a_shame/articleshow/3419084.cms
| accessdate = 2008-08-29
| quote =
}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ivarta.com/columns/OL_040430.htm |title=The clout of Sonia Gandhi |publisher=Ivarta.com |date= |accessdate=2008-09-18}}</ref>


==2008 Kandhamal violence==
The church network - including the ], the ] and the ] - organized for all Christian institutions to remain closed on ], ] in protest. This led to accusations of misusing educational institutions for politicking.{{Fact|date=September 2008}}
{{Main|2008 Kandhamal violence}}
]
During the ], violence occurred from 25 August 2008 to 28 August 2008 between groups led by ] organizations and ] in the ] of ]. It started after the murder of ] leader ].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/BJP-MLA-convicted-in-Kandhamal-riots-case/article15908665.ece|title=BJP MLA convicted in Kandhamal riots case|date=2010-09-09|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-04-13|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> It is estimated that more than 395 churches, 5600 homes and 13 educational institutes were set on fire, demolished or vandalized during the attacks and more than 90 killed (largely Christians) and 18,000 injured and 54,000 displaced.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/It-s-still-religion--stupid/369086|title=It's still religion, stupid|date=4 October 2008|work=Indian Express|access-date=19 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/article/892641/in-photos-damaged-churches-broken-homes-are-the-lingering-scars-of-the-2008-kandhamal-riots|title=In photos: Damaged churches, broken homes are the lingering scars of the 2008 Kandhamal riots|website=Scroll.in|date=5 September 2018 |language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-13}}</ref> Another report said that around 11,000 people were still living in relief camps, as of October 2008.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.orissapost.com/plea-in-sc-for-sit-probe-into-kandhamal-riots/|title=Plea in SC for SIT probe into Kandhamal riots |date=2020-01-18|website=Orissa Post|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080070449|title=Orissa priest injured in communal violence dies|date=29 October 2008|publisher=NDTV.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201145609/http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080070449|archive-date=1 December 2008|access-date=19 September 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/capturing-the-spark-that-led-to-communal-riot-in-kandhamal/articleshow/57178586.cms|title=Capturing the spark that led to communal riot in Kandhamal |date=February 16, 2017|first1=M. T. |last1=Saju |website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2020-04-13}}</ref> Some tribals even fled away to border districts in neighbouring states and 310 villages were affected.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/12/08/stories/2008120852460300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211094033/http://www.hindu.com/2008/12/08/stories/2008120852460300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 December 2008|title=Christmas brings no cheer for them|date=8 December 2008|newspaper=]|access-date=28 June 2015}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />


In October 2008, a senior Maoist leader claimed responsibility for the murder of Laxmanananda and police officials also confirmed that the Maoists trained youth in the tribal community to murder Laxmanananda.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/2008/oct/05orissa.htm|title=We killed Swami Laxmananda: Maoist leader|website=www.rediff.com|access-date=2020-04-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/maoist-leader-claims-they-killed-swami-108100601070_1.html|title=Maoist leader claims they killed Swami|date=2008-10-06|work=Business Standard India|access-date=2020-04-13}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/17/stories/2008101757661200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081020052157/http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/17/stories/2008101757661200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 October 2008|title=Maoists killed Lakshmanananda, say Orissa Police|date=17 October 2008|work=]|location=Chennai, India}}</ref>
{{VAT}} On Wednesday ], ], ] condemned the violence and expressed solidarity with the priests and nuns being victimized. <ref>http://in.reuters.com/article/topNews/idINIndia-35197320080827{{cite press release
| title = Pope deplores anti-Christian violence in Orissa
| publisher = Reuters India
| date = Wed Aug 27, 2008 3:22pm IST
| language = English
| url = http://in.reuters.com/article/topNews/idINIndia-35197320080827
| accessdate = 2008-08-28
| quote =
}}</ref> He "firmly condemned" the violence and called upon Indian religious and civil authorities "to work together to restore peaceful co-existence and harmony between the different religious communities." In doing so he said: "I learnt with great sorrow the information concerning the violence against the Christian community in Orissa which broke out after the reprehensible assassination of the Hindu leader, Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati. This led to derisive remarks in the press about the Italian origins of Sonia Gandhi, a Catholic, whose UPA alliance rules India from New Delhi."<ref>http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080063156&ch=8/27/2008%207:43:00%20PM Pope 'firmly condemns' violence in Orissa</ref>


==Post-2008==
]
According to the news agency ], other Christians were tortured and killed in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fides.org/en/news/31172-ASIA_INDIA_Christian_killed_in_Orissa_the_second_in_a_month_the_sixth_in_a_year |title=Christian killed in Orissa: the second in a month, the sixth in a year |publisher=Agenzia Fides |date=13 March 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190720092454/http://www.fides.org/en/news/31172-ASIA_INDIA_Christian_killed_in_Orissa_the_second_in_a_month_the_sixth_in_a_year |archive-date=20 July 2019 |url-status=live |access-date=20 July 2019 }}</ref>


In February 2019, a Christian evangelical who had converted to Christianity nine months earlier was murdered. It is believed that the 'Hindu fanatics' of the village incited Maoists to carry out the killing.<ref>{{cite news |title=Orissa, a Christian beheaded for his faith |date=20 February 2019 |website=Asianews |url=http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Orissa,-a-Christian-beheaded-for-his-faith-46300.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190220190543/http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Orissa,-a-Christian-beheaded-for-his-faith-46300.html |archive-date=20 February 2019 |url-status=live |access-date=20 July 2019 }}</ref>
], a US-based outfit, expressed extreme dismay at the mob violence against ] instigated by the ]. The organization also expressed concern at the state government's lack of action following the Christmas 2007 violence. <ref>{{cite press release
| title = World Leaders Urged to Condemn Violence in Orissa
| publisher = Human Rights Watch
| date = 28 Aug 2008
| language = English
| url =http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/08/28/india19711.htm
| accessdate = 2008-08-29
}}</ref>


==See also==
{{ITA}}'s Foreign Ministry called on India's ambassador to demand ‘incisive action’ to prevent further attacks against Christians.<ref>{{cite press release
*]
| title = Italy calls Indian envoy over attacks on Christians
*]
| Author = Reuters
*]
| publisher = Indian Express
*]
| date = 28 Aug 2008
*]
| language = English
*]
| url =http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Italy-calls-Indian-envoy-over-attacks-on-Christians/354556/
*]
| accessdate = 2008-09-02
*]
}}</ref> This invited protests from the Indian media as uncalled-for interference.{{Fact|date=September 2008}}
*]
*]


==References==
The ](NHRC) sought a report from the Orissa government on the ongoing religious violence in the state.
{{reflist}}
<ref>{{cite press release
| title = NHRC issues notice to Orissa over violence | Author = Press Trust of India
| publisher = Times of India
| date = 29 Aug 2008
| language = English
| url =http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080063386
| accessdate = 2008-08-30
}}</ref>


== References == ==External links==
{{Commons|Odisha}}
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{{Orissa}}
== External links ==
{{commons|Orissa}}
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Latest revision as of 00:05, 14 September 2024

Indian state of Odisha

Religious violence in Odisha consists of civil unrest and riots in the remote forest region surrounding the Kandhamal district in the western parts of the Indian state of Odisha.

The Kandhamal district contains several tribal reservations where only tribal people can own land. The largest community in Kandhamal is the Kandha tribe. Most Kandha tribal people follow tribal and animistic forms of Hinduism. However, the socio-economic and political landscape of Kandhamal is dominated by its second-largest community, the non-tribal Pana caste. The region is also home to the Maoist guerrillas, a revolutionary communist movement. Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda stated groups tend to recruit most of their leaders and cadre insurgents from tribal communities. He reiterated the Maoists's religious position: "We do not believe in any religion or are attached to any religious groups. We are not in favour of any religion."

Major issues in Kandhamal that have led to tensions are claims that "The Scheduled Caste and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act" is violated. Such claims include the forcible occupation of tribal land, fake issuance of tribal and exploiting tribals for insurgent activities. This previously resulted in civil unrest and communal tensions in 1986, 1994 and 2001.

Background

Historical background of conversions

Franciscan missionary Friar Odoric visited India in the 14th century and wrote about his visit to Puri in a journal which he later published in Europe. In the journal, Odoric wrote in detail about a huge chariot containing idols of Hindu deities from the grand and famous Jagannath temple which is taken out annually in a procession known as the rath yatra. Odoric's account of the ceremony spread throughout Europe and by the 19th century the word juggernaut began to be associated with an unstoppable force of such proportions that is capable of destroying everything in its path. Subsequently, Baptist missionaries came to Odisha in 1822 during the British Empire's colonial rule over India.

After India's independence

The communal disharmony arose even before Indian independence in 1947 on aforementioned issue of religious conversion. Conversions have been legislated by the provisions of the Freedom of Religion Acts (acts replicated in numerous other parts through India). Odisha was the first provinces of independent India to enact legislation in regards to religious conversions. The Orissa Freedom of Religion Act, 1967, mentions that no person shall "convert or attempt to convert, either directly or otherwise, any person from one religious faith to another by the use of force or by inducement or by any fraudulent means". Christian missions have been active in Odisha among the tribals and backward Hindu castes from the early years of the twentieth century. Right-wing Hindus have alleged that the increase in the number of Christians in Odisha has been a result of an exploitation of illiteracy and impoverishment by the missionaries in contravention of the law, instead of free will.

Conversion controversy

Behind the clashes are long-simmering tensions between equally impoverished groups: the Kandha tribe, who are 80% of the population, and the Pana. Both are original inhabitants of the land. There has been an Indian tradition of untouchability. Dalits, considered lower caste people, are subject to social and economic discrimination. This is outlawed in the Indian constitution, however, the prejudices remain. Conversion from untouchability has encouraged millions of such people to escape from their circumstances through joining other religions. The Panas have converted to Christianity in large numbers and prospered financially. Over the past several decades, most of the Panas have become Dalit Christians.

Hindu nationalist groups have blamed the violence on the issue of religious conversion. Conversions have been legislated by the provisions of the Freedom of Religion Acts, replicated in some of the states in India. Odisha was the first state of independent India to enact legislation on religious conversions. The Orissa Freedom of Religion Act, 1967, stipulates that 'no person shall "convert or attempt to convert, either directly or otherwise, any person from one religious faith to another by the use of force or by inducement or by any fraudulent means"'. Hindus claim the Christian missionaries were converting poor tribal people by feeding them beef, which is taboo in Hinduism.

The missionaries would upgrade the mud houses of the converts into brick-lime. Hindus have further alleged that the increase in the number of Christians in Odisha has been a result of exploitation of illiteracy and impoverishment by the missionaries. The Census of India shows that Christian population in Kandhamal grew from around 43,000 in 1981 to 117,950 in 2001.

Staines killing

Graham Staines was an Australian Christian missionary working with the Evangelical Missionary Society of Mayurbhanj, an Australian missionary society that was engaged in the education of poor and illiterate indigenous tribes in Odisha. He also worked among the leprosy patients in the region. On the night of 22 January 1999, he was sleeping in his station wagon when it was set afire. Graham and his two sons, ten-year-old Philip and six-year-old Timothy, were killed. Dara Singh, a Hindu fundamentalist from Etawah in Uttar Pradesh, was arrested for the crime. On 22 September 2003 a court appointed by the Central Bureau of Investigation sentenced Dara Singh to death and 12 others to life imprisonment for the murders.

Dara Singh, as an active Bajrang Dal follower, was suspected of being involved in a larger conspiracy. However, the Wadhwa Commission ruled out the involvement of any organization in the killings. In May 2005, the Odisha High Court commuted Singh's sentence to life imprisonment.

The murders were widely condemned by religious and civic leaders, politicians, and journalists. The US-based Human Rights Watch accused the then Indian Government of failing to prevent violence against Christians, and of exploiting sectarian tensions for political ends. The organisation said attacks against Christians increased "significantly" since the "Hindu Nationalist" BJP came to power. Then-Prime Minister of India, Atal Behari Vajpayee, a leader of BJP, condemned the "ghastly attack" and called for swift action to catch the killers. Published reports stated that church leaders alleged the attacks were carried out at the behest of hardline Hindu organisations. Hindu hardliners accused Christian missionaries of forcibly converting poor and low-caste Hindus and tribals. The convicted killer Dara Singh was treated as a hero by hardline Hindus and reportedly protected by some villagers. In an interview with the Hindustan Times, one of the accused killers, Mahendra Hembram, stated that the killers "were provoked by the "corruption of tribal culture" by the missionaries, who they claimed fed villagers beef and gave women brassieres and sanitary towels."

In her affidavit before the Commission on the death of her husband and two sons, Gladys Staines stated:

"The Lord God is always with me to guide me and help me to try to accomplish the work of Graham, but I sometimes wonder why Graham was killed and also what made his assassins behave in such a brutal manner on the night of 22nd/23rd January 1999. It is far from my mind to punish the persons who were responsible for the death of my husband Graham and my two children. But it is my desire and hope that they would repent and would be reformed."

Ranalai incident

On 16 March 1999 a Hindu mob of 5,000 attacked Ranalai (PIN – 761 017) in Gajapati District and set houses on fire and engaged in looting. Three Christian people were injured. The then Chief Minister of Odisha, Sri Giridhar Gamang, visited the village the next day.

December 2007

Incident at Brahmanigaon, Phulbani on 24 December

In December 2007, Christians had installed a Christmas arch across the road in the town of Brahmanigaon, Kandhamal district, having first received a permit from the police and sub-collector to do so. On 24 December 2007 a group of 150–200 Hindus arrived at the town market and demanded that the arch be removed. The protesters argued that the arch along with a tent set up was erected on the very site used by the Hindus to celebrate the Durga Puja festival in October. Protesters then sought to close the weekly market and attempted to close all the shops in the area. The Christian shopkeepers refused to comply with this, leading to an outbreak of violence. More than 20 shops were looted and destroyed. Three persons were killed.

Attack on Swami Laxmanananda

The violence escalated after news spread about Hindu monk Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati being attacked by a Christian fundamentalist mob en route to the spot of the confrontation.

Saraswati stated that he had left for Brahmanigaon to boost the "morale of the majority community". The National Commission for Minorities, in its report, stated that this was "indicative of his desire to exacerbate communal tensions". Swami supporters, however, claimed that Christians at Brahmanigoan village wanted to install a Christmas gate in front of a Hindu temple. This was protested by the local Hindus questioning the motive of Christians in building a second gate near temple while one gate being already present at the place.

In his statement, Swami blamed Radhakant Nayak, a recent Christian convert and Congress Member of Parliament (Upper House) and chief of Christian group World Vision that allegedly led to further clashes between Hindus and Christians.

The authorities imposed a curfew in order to control the situation. Concerned with rising violence, after the assault on Saraswati, some Dalit Christian leaders lodged a complaint with the Police for protection.

Intervention by CRPF

By 30 December, rioting was brought under control by the security forces such as the CRPF. The total number of security personnel deployed was about 2,500 police and paramilitary. The total number of people taking shelter in relief camps increased to 1200.

2007 Christmas violence in Kandhamal

Main article: 2007 Christmas violence in Kandhamal

The 2007 Christmas violence in Kandhamal started during 24 December 2007 and ended after 4 days between groups led by Sangh Parivar together with the Sangh-affiliated Kui Samaj and the local Christians, which resulted in more than 100 churches, over 100 church institutions and about 700 houses and other structures were burnt down or damaged and at least three people killed.

2008 Kandhamal violence

Main article: 2008 Kandhamal violence
A Christian girl who was bruised and burnt during the anti Christian violence in Orissa in August 2008. It occurred when a bomb was thrown into her house by extremists.

During the 2008 Kandhamal violence, violence occurred from 25 August 2008 to 28 August 2008 between groups led by Sangh Parivar organizations and Christians in the Kandhamal district of Orissa. It started after the murder of Vishva Hindu Parishad leader Lakshmanananda Saraswati. It is estimated that more than 395 churches, 5600 homes and 13 educational institutes were set on fire, demolished or vandalized during the attacks and more than 90 killed (largely Christians) and 18,000 injured and 54,000 displaced. Another report said that around 11,000 people were still living in relief camps, as of October 2008. Some tribals even fled away to border districts in neighbouring states and 310 villages were affected.

In October 2008, a senior Maoist leader claimed responsibility for the murder of Laxmanananda and police officials also confirmed that the Maoists trained youth in the tribal community to murder Laxmanananda.

Post-2008

According to the news agency Agenzia Fides, other Christians were tortured and killed in 2012.

In February 2019, a Christian evangelical who had converted to Christianity nine months earlier was murdered. It is believed that the 'Hindu fanatics' of the village incited Maoists to carry out the killing.

See also

References

  1. 'Majority of Maoist supporters in Odisha are Christians' The Hindu - 5 October 2008
  2. "Panel gives report on Kandhamal riots - India News - IBNLive". Ibnlive.in.com. Archived from the original on 4 July 2009. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
  3. "fresh samples" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
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