The real cause of the violence against Christians in Orissa, and now elsewhere in India, is the fear among extremist Hindu movements that many “untouchable” and “tribal” people will turn to the Christian faith because of the appalling treatment they receive from their caste-ridden communities and the love and care they are shown by Christian humanitarian organisations. Some of those who receive such care, but by no means all, become Christians of their own free will. Is this so unacceptable in secular and democratic India?
Scores of Christians have been murdered. Their homes, churches, presbyteries, convents and charitable institutions have been destroyed, allegedly in retaliation for the murder of a Hindu swami and some of his followers, probably by Maoist insurgents. During this time, it seems that the state authorities have not allowed Christians from other parts of India, let alone elsewhere, even to bring relief to fellow believers. The Federal Government also appears to have been paralysed and ineffective.
There is an outcry when a single Hindu is killed, and Christian leaders have strongly condemned any such incident. Christians in Orissa are, however, rapidly running out of cheeks to turn.
This is terrible. Not merely the massacre of Christina, but the continued persecution of the Dalits. I held so much hope years ago when I read that believers had gone into the garbage dump areas wehre many of the Dalits lived, and brought the healing of the Gospel to them.
Peace,
Pat Kashtock
Take It for What It’s Worth
Pat Kashtock, the caste system in India is probably at least 2,500 years old. It will not disappear in only a few years. Dalits are still heavily discriminated against even though this is officially illegal. The threat of violence is always there, most especially from the groups which are only one or two steps above them on the social ladder. Indian Christians live the life of the New Testament and the age of the martyrs. They know that they may die for their faith any day.