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."
It costs just five dollars to get a Bible into their hands. Click here if you can help.
