When Christians all over the world celebrated Christmas with joy, it was a nightmare for thousands of tribal-dalit Christians in Orissa, India. This affected not only the Christians all over the world, but specifically in India and particularly our diocese where over forty percentages of Catholics are dalits. The attack on the Christians in Orissa is a reflection of an execution of plans meticulously calculated and well planned by the Hindutva forces just a day after the announcement of election results in the state of Gujarat, the state where majority are Hindu fundamentalists.
The atrocities against Christians in India have increased in the past decade particularly in the northern states of India. It is important to note that Orissa is the only Indian state that has a law requiring people to obtain police permission before they change their religion – a move designed to counter missionary work. The Hindutva forces had similar strategies in Gujarat, which is considered to be their laboratory. After achieving a great degree of success over there, they intend to continue their experiments in other north Indian states, particularly where their party or their coalition parties are in power. And Orissa happens to be one of those states governed by their political party.
Our diocese (Archdiocese of Madurai), being the metropolitan see and having prime role in the state that has witnessed a great struggle of Christians, particularly the dalits, it is important to show our solidarity and concern to the poor, marginalized and traumatized Christians of Orissa. Christians all over India have protested strongly by organizing huge rallies, candlelight and prayerful processions and inter-faith prayer meetings. A massive protest rally was organized in Chennai (Madras). The persecuted and suffering Church in any part of the world must be comforted and strengthened by the universal Church.
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