News Detail
Orissa: Modern Day Genocide
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Rarely have we witnessed an attempt at genocide by one group of another and not hear international condemnation, especially when it is perpetrated in a country which espouses democratic rule of law like India. These past few months have been heartbreaking for thousands of Christians in Orissa, India caught up in mob violence, unjustly targeted by Hindu extremists. Their aim is to force Christians to reconvert or die. Thankfully change is coming!
We want to thank many for quickly responding to help those most affected by the violence. Because of the generous response from our supporters we were able to surpass the original number of 100 families anticipated to help more than 250 families critically affected by the crisis. Reports are coming in of incredible gratitude for the food, clothing, blankets, cooking utensils etc. provided by Supreme Task International. The three neighboring districts focused on for relief were Balangir, Kandhamal, epicenter and hardest hit by the violence, and Gajapati.
In Balangir, where our Hospital is located, we were able to reach out almost immediately to 25 families.
Kandhamal district presented a much greater challenge. Moving around inside this district was hampered by unannounced curfews, violence against those bringing aid, and uncertainty when and where the next attack would take place. In spite of all that we were able to help 31 families moving around trying to stay out of harms way with basic life-sustaining supplies. One Pastor of the Phulbani Baptist Church who lived with his wife and daughters in the middle of town lost everything. His wife shocked by the treatment of their daughters by the extremists later tragically had a heart attack and died. One daughter vowing to continue to preach is an evangelist and youth leader in the church. His daughters were in tears as they received the comfort and much needed supplies from our team.
In Gajapati more than 400 families from eight villages requested our help. Since the amount of resources was not enough we did our best to stretch out the supplies like the feeding of the five thousand though we could still only help a total of 200 families. A plan to bring as many as possible from the villages was carried out and everyone received the supplies with deep gratitude. All of this started on Saturday August 23, 2008 when a group of communist insurgents were accused of killing VHP leader Swami Laksmanananda Saraswati and four of his associates. Various Hindu nationalist groups blamed local Christians for the killing even though a Maoist group claimed responsibility. They claim the attack on their leader was retaliation for the Black Christmas persecution that began December 24, 2007, when 90 churches were destroyed and 700 homes burned, attacks instigated by Saraswati.
Up to 50,000 Christians had been forced to flee their homes and were living (surviving) in nearby forests. Half were able to find some shelter in camps set up by the government only to become the targets of makeshift bombs and water poisoning. One of Indias top journalists called this the worst persecution of Christians in Indias history.
Sadly enough what began with Orissa as the epicenter, spread like wildfire throughout the nation. After a viable threat was delivered by letter to our home in Delhi, we knew we had to leave, our presence there bringing even more scrutiny upon our staff and leadership. As we flew out three churches were being burned to the ground just minutes from where we reside.
We are grieved beyond words at the loss of life in Orissa but deeply moved that miraculously our hospital and staff of 30 was spared! Following the storm and the tremendous loss of life, another threat was issued by the VHP declaring Christmas Day as another day of slaughter. The government finally took this threat seriously and took measures that eventually squelched their intentions. We are thrilled to say not one incident has been reported and peace is once again prevailing in Orissa!
Again we are extremely grateful for the response from the friends and partners of this ministry.
<< Back to List
 | ||
 |
56 Indian children die at birth in India for every 1000 born - more than double the rate in China. | |
| ||
