Puri Seer lashes out at PM-Sonia, supports Orissa Bandh

By Anurjay Dhal
Last updated: Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:04:50 GMT




Bhubaneswar ( Orissa): Shankaracharya of Puri Gobardhan Pitha, Jagadaguru Swami Nischalananda Saraswati was on Wednesday apprehended that some International forces have been working overtime to eliminate Hindus and destroy their age-old culture to register their dominancy in the country.

Gobardhan Peetha is one of the four important mutts of Hindu faith in the country founded by Adi Sankaracharya.

Speaking at a press conference here, that the Hindu Seer, who got a threat letter from the outlawed CPI (Maoists), however indirectly attacking on Church said, "I am not perturbed by the threat call issued by an outfit. I see some others behind the nexus than the CPI (Maoists)."

The outfit in a threat letter, that sent to the Gobardhan Pitha in Puri, has alleged that the Hindu Seer has been spreading communal feelings and dividing society on religious lines.

The Seer charged that Congress led UPA Government at Centre is being patronizing anti-Hindu elements in the country. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi have been making all out effort to appease the minorities, he lambasted.
read ita all here:http://www.odishatoday.com/orissa/Puri_Seer_receives_threat_call_131208-8754120213569854.html

Parivar to go ahead with Orissa bandh on Dec 25

Debabrata Mohanty
Posted: Dec 17, 2008 at 0022 hrs IST

Bhubaneswar: Unperturbed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s reiteration that he would not allow Orissa bandh by the Sangh Parivar on December 25, Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati Sradhanjali Samiti on Tuesday said it would go ahead with its earlier announcement as the state Government had failed to nab the killers and conspirators behind the killing of Saraswati.

On Monday, Naveen told the Orissa Assembly that the state Government would not permit the statewide shutdown on Christmas called by the Sangh Parivar. “No shutdown will be permitted on December 25. The Government will come down heavily on those who try to create any trouble,” the Chief Minister said. The police have already arrested seven persons, including four on Sunday, in connection with the killing of Saraswati.


The Samiti came down heavily on Naveen for his “pro-Church attitude” and warned him with dire consequences as the anger of tribal Kandhs was rising. “We had set a deadline of December 15. The state Government has failed to nab the killers and conspirators. So, we have decided to go ahead with the bandh call,” Samiti president Ratnakar Chaini told reporters.
“The bandh would be observed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. From 5.30 to 5.40 in the morning, people across Orissa would ring bells to wake up the state Government, which is in deep slumber.”

Chaini alleged that the state Government had so far arrested more than 800 Hindus in connection with the communal violence while it could nab only seven persons in connection with the murder case.

Meanwhile, a BJP legislator has alleged that one of the 10 accused arrested for the alleged rape of a nun in Kandhamal was blind. read it all

Four more held for killing Orissa VHP leader

15 Dec 2008, 0053 hrs IST, Sandeep Mishra, TNN
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BHUBANESWAR: Four more people were arrested on Sunday in connection with the August 23 murder of senior VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati,

taking the total arrests in the sensational case that had triggered widespread communal violence in Orissa's Kandhmal district to seven.

Interestingly, the police success came just a day before saffron brigades' ultimatum to the state government to arrest the killers of the VHP leader, failing which they would organize an Orissa bandh on December 25.

"We have arrested four of the accused and are on the look out for others,'' IG (crime branch) Arun Ray told TOI. Police sources said the four were arrested during raids by Special Operations Group personnel in Kotgarh area of Kandhmal district.

"We're looking for seven accused. We arrested four Christians, believed to be Maoist supporters, for killing Saraswati and four of his followers at an ashram in Jalespeta on August 23, from a place bordering Rayagada district. Search operations are on to nab the other three,'' the sources said. more

Catholic nun stripped naked and raped public

Nun was gang raped and priest brutally assaulted in Kandhamal

Parvathi Menon  The Hindu   September 30, 2008

FIRs lodged but no arrests by State government; no response from Centre; Sister Nirmala wrote to CM and PM appealing for protection to Christians

Bhubaneswar: The Orissa government has failed to take any action, under the law of the land, against those who committed bestial crimes — the gang rape of a 28-year-old Catholic nun and the brutal attack on a Catholic priest who courageously resisted their attempts to force him to participate in the atrocity. These incidents took place on August 25 at K. Nuagaon, 12 km from the Baliguda subdivision in Kandhamal district. Both victims filed First Information Reports at the Baliguda police station. Sister Nirmala, Superior-General of the Missionaries of Charity, wrote to the Orissa Chief Minister and the Prime Minister specifying the atrocities. ...more 

Sister Nirmala’s appeal to Orissa Chief Minister

“On behalf of our suffering brothers and sisters in Orissa who are in deep anguish, pain and constant insecurity, deprived of basic necessities of life and are crying out for immediate help, I urgently appeal to you in the name of God as the Chief Minister of Orissa to do all you can to put an end to this ongoing violence since 24th August 2008 causing untold terror, loss of property and even loss of life and human dignity, violating basic human rights of our own brothers and sisters.” This is the fervent appeal Sister Nirmala, Superior-General of the Missionaries of Charity, made in a letter she wrote Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on August 28.

It was in this letter that she narrated, in great anguish, how a young nun was “hunted out of her hiding place and stripped naked by the mob and her virginity grossly violated in public, without any help from the police present there.”  ...more 

Article 355 is believed to be issued by the Centre against Orissa

Article 355 is believed to be issued by the Centre against Orissa to ensure that the state government carry out its constitutional responsibilities
A BJD lawmaker said the move was prompted by a desire to appease Christians. “You cannot subvert the constitutional process just to look good to a certain group of people,” said Tathagata Satpathy.
The Centre’s directive will be used by the BJP, which will term it “minority appeasement” and try to win Hindu votes, predicts Kamal Mitra Chenoy, professor, school of international studies at Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University. But, he added, “no one will believe the BJP.”
Subhash Kashyap, a constitutional expert and former secretary general of the Lok Sabha said no Union government has used the provisions of Article 355 effectively. “It gives more powers than just issuing directives,” he said.
Significantly, Article 356 enables President’s rule.
In 2002, the NDA government successfully resisted calls from the opposition to issue directives under Article 355 to the BJP government in Gujarat in the wake of sectarian violence that left at least 1,000 people, largely Muslims, dead. Last year, the UPA resisted calls for directives being issued to the Left government in West Bengal after violence erupted in certain parts over the state’s land acquisition policy. The Left parties were then key allies of the UPA. Read

Togadia to go ahead with Orissa ‘Yatra’ despite SC objection

New Delhi : Receiving set back from the Supreme Court over his proposed 'yatra' across Orissa with the "ashes" of slain VHP functionary Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Pravin Togadia on Thursday said a 'yatra' condoling the murder will still be carried out.

"The dead body of Swamiji was not cremated. His was a samadhi and he was buried. So the claims of the 'asthi-kalash yatra' are not true. However, we will condole his death by a yatra across the state," reports PTI quoting Togadia.

"We will march through every village and town of Orissa despite the pressure tactics of the Christians to ensure safety of Swami Laxmanada's murderers," he said.  Continue

Congress seeks ban on VHP, Bajrang Dal

Wednesday,3 September 2008

- New Delhi: The Congress Wednesday sought a ban on the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrang Dal, saying they were involved in "activities detrimental to the unity and integrity of the country".  "These organisations should be banned," Congress spokesperson Manish Tiwari told reporters here. On the demand by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for a "white paper" on the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), Tiwari said: "The central government should bring a white paper on all the organisations, including the Bajrang Dal and VHP, that are indulged in anti-national activities." Read more

558 houses, 17 places of worship torched during riot: Orissa govt-India-The Times of India

558 houses, 17 places of worship torched during riot: Orissa govt-India-The Times of India:
While 543 houses were burnt in the worst hit Kandhamal district, 15 houses had been set ablaze in Gajapati district, said Chief Secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy after a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
A total of 35 people were injured in the riot in Kandhamal, he said.
All the torching of places of worship were reported from Kandhamal district where over 185 people were arrested on charge of rioting, arson and other offences.

Besides Kandhamal, Tripathy said, people were provided with food in free kitchen in Rayagada and Gajapati districts. While 12,539 people were fed in 10 relief camps, 783 people got the facilities in two relief camps in Rayagada district." > full story

Kandhamal is Burning

Kandhamal is Burning Again.
By Thomas Pallithanam
Hyderabad, Aug. 25. Hardily have the smouldering embers died down, fresh and wanton torching of churches and other Christian Institutions have begun all over again in Kandhamal and other districts of Orissa.Sequel to the assassination of Swami Lakshmanananda Swaraswati of Kandhamal by Naxalites there has been a violent uprising against the Christian Community in Orissa and particularly in Kandhamal district. The violence will continue to escalate fears every one who has some idea of the way Sangh Parivar works.
Those hands stretched out in loving embrance have been brutalised by the agents of hate and destruction.
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On the night of 24th August 2008 the Ashram of Swami Lakshmanandan, VHP Leader was bombed and attacked by Maoists. The Swami and 5 others were killed in the Maoist attack. Every one feared a violent reprisal against the Christian Community despite the fact it had nothing to do with the attack on the Ashram and it was the handiwork of Naxalites. Swami Lakshmanananda Swaraswati was the alleged instigator of all the violence that took place around Christmas 2007. In that violence - earlier reported from this news by-line - over 100 Christian churches, institutions were vandalised and burnt and over 800 Christian houses looted and destroyed. The state machinery then responded with deafening silence and fleeing feet. By the Director General of Police`s own admission the state knew that the Swami was behind the violence that was so cruelly unleashed against the Christian Community without any provocation. But they refused to act against him telling every one that Swami was the Thackeray of Kandhamal!!

News of violence is pouring in through private sources. Not only the state machinery but even the Oriya media has a very strong saffron hue. Even the blood of innocent victims spilled all over cannot hope to change that hue. So nothing much will be heard from the media information coming out of Orissa.

Ms Rama Hansraj, Deputy State Representative of CRS sent this news update over the internet ``According the primary information received, Jan vikas (Catholic Charities office in Phulbani), Pastoral centre and Baliguda church have been set ablaze. Missionaries of charity sisters were attacked and stones were pelted at them and one sister is badly hurt. Sr. Nirmala has already spoken to Government of India (details not known). Two jeeps were burnt in Sambalpur and one church in Raikia.

Tension is high across the state and is expected to worsen tomorrow. Stray incidents of attack on churches and institutions are being reported from some of the districts. Section 144 has been declared in many places including Kandhamal. Security has been tightened and prohibitory orders have been clamped in Kandhamal district ahead of the 12-hour bandh called tomorrow by the VHP and other affiliates of the Sangh Parivar to protest the killing (of the Swami)``

She has sent a second update just now ``situation in Bhubaneswar is getting a bit tense with many institutions and churches being attacked (as of now limited to mob breaking down the doors and windows and stone pelting). XIMB, Loyola school and SVD House in Kalinga Vihar have been attacked with damages to windows and walls - priests from SVD house moved to FORUM office but they are not sure if this will be left untouched. Stones were pelted in Archbishops house and mob was stopped from entering into the house and additional police were called for. Windows and walls of the guest house which can be reached from the road side were broken in the Archbishops house. Phulbani parish (district head quarters) and church has been attacked and burnt. All the fathers in the district had to move and are accommodated by some families. Few boys who were being helped by father for their studies in Phulbani were also attacked their houses were burnt. Sr. Suma and five her companions (MC Sisters) who were conducting health camps in Brahamanigoan (severely affected in the previous violence in December) were stuck for long in the village. Most of the sisters left convents are in different schools now``

And there is even more tragic news streaming in. Fr Ajay Singh, Director of Jan Vikas, Social Action Initiative of the Archdiocese of Bubhaneswar reports that Sr Meena has been allegedly raped at the Pastoral Centre by the arsonists. Pastoral Centre which had some how escaped vandalisation last time around now stands completely destroyed and the Director Fr.Thomas Chellan is hospitalised with serious head injury.

Christian homes, Christian headed NGOs and Community Based Organisations, businesses are all being systematically being attacked and destroyed. I had mentioned that there was a new churning in the hills of Kandhamal. The attacks have come even before our hapless Christians have had the time to gather their wits together. Everyone is wondering ``Where is He Our `Great Big Wonderful God` ``. We need to see His mighty deeds as of old. And Moses to hold up his hands as the battle rages. And all of us can lend the support of out little hands to His mighty arm. Sure we shall fold them in prayer but also raise them in protest, with those hands send our protest letters to the authorities, register our protest at the Indian Embassies (in your countries), the UN, UNCHR, EU and in whatever other ways the Spirit inspires us.

Here are some relevant fax numbers and e-mail ids:
Mr Manmohan Singh - Fax: 011-23019545 / 23016857
E-mail: manmohan@alpha.nic.in
pmosb@pmo.nic.in

Shri. Shivraj Patel
Fax: 011-23092979 / 23094221
E-mail: svpatil@sansad.nic.in

Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patel
Fax: 011-23017290 / 23017824
E-mail: presidentofindia@alpha.nic.in
presidentofindia@sansad.nic.in

Shri Navin Patnaik
Fax: 0674-2400100 / 2590833
E-mail: cmo@ori.nic.in

Shri Muralidhara CB
Fax: 0674-3536582
Phone: 0674-2536581 / 2536583 / 2536584 / 2536587

Phulbani Collector (Mr Manish Verma)
Mob.: (0)9437073200 / (0)9437299101
06842-253601 / 253602
Fax: 06842-253905

RDC Berhampur
(0)9437055455

SP Phulbani
Mobile: (0)9437323346
Phone: 06842-253611

DIG Cuttack
0674-2304451 / 2306501
Mobile: (0)9437310000
Fax: 0674-2304033

DSP Shri Praveen Kumar
Mobile: (0)9437216660
Fax: 0674-2304294

Shir Ajit Kumar Tripathi IAS (Chief Secretary CDO)
Fax: 0674-2536660 / 2532196



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