India (MNN) — Despite the
deployment of law enforcement troops, India's violence continues to inflict
daily damage on Christians.
At least ten other states have
been witnessing anti-Christian attacks since the killing of Swami
Lakshmanananda Saraswati of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and four others at
his ashram in Kandhamal district August 23.
The
increasingly tense situation is in contrast with the assurances from the provincial
governments, which claim to be able to maintain security.
Peter
Dance with
Operation Mobilization says the international community is becoming more aware of the import of
the situation. "They are calling it
genocide. It's not just watchdogs, it's the United Nations, or at least the
European Parliament. Even some from our U.S. government have written to the
Indian government and said, 'This is unacceptable.' The president of France has also said, 'This
is unacceptable.' The reason they're saying it's genocide is because it's
targeted at one particular segment of society: the Christians and the
Dalits."
Dr. Joseph D'souza, president of
the All India Christian Council, said, "The events of the last month, not only
the anti-Christian attacks but the negligence of government, would be sad if it
happened in a dictatorship or a totalitarian regime. The fact that it's
happening in the world's largest democracy makes it infinitely sadder."
The state government has been
largely ineffective in quelling the violence, and the federal government has
not exercised their options of taking over in order to restore peace.
25 pastors and their families
have been moved to an OM base for safety and protection. Within Orissa, notes AICC, attacks are spreading again with
incidents reported in Gajapati and Boudh districts in the last few days.
According to the AICC, leaders have reliable reports of 315 villages
damaged, 4,640 Christian houses burnt, 53,000 Christians homeless, 57 people
killed including at least 2 pastors, 10 priests/pastors/nuns seriously injured,
18,000 Christians injured, 2 nuns gang-raped, 149 churches destroyed, 13
Christian schools and colleges damaged.
The OM team is acting as the
hands and feet of Christ, but
"we're so restricted in what we can do going into the area.
Basically, our focus right now is those that are able to come out, are coming
to the church. We're doing what we can, financially, to take care of medical
needs, also food and clothing and housing."
Please pray for these traumatized
brothers and sisters in Christ. If you
can help, click here.
