India (MNN) ― Because India is a secular state, the Supreme Court says they won't allow minority persecution. They've ordered Orissa State to protect Christians in Kandhmal district, or step down.
They also chided the state government for a slow response in checking the violence against Christians after the killing of VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati on August 23, 2007.
Mawii Pudaite with Bibles For The World received the news with cautious optimism. "There has been negotiation and diplomatic efforts of the state government and the leadership of the chief minister. We give credit to the negotiation to the pressure that came from the Christians. We don't know how they will be able to carry out their stated order."
In light of a January 15 deadline of withdrawing paramilitary forces from the region, the court also asked the government to consider carefully before making any decision on pulling out just yet.
Meanwhile, hundreds of Christians are hiding in forests. They are fearful of a repurcussion of the violence that swept through the north-eastern state late last year after the murder of a radical Hindu leader.
Many of these who lost their churches and homes lost everything. Pudaite says BFTW is launching their own response to help. "We here at Bibles for the World have received urgent appeals to provide at least 50,000 Bibles as quickly as possible. These Bibles are primarily for the pastors, Christian workers and believers who have lost everything."
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