World | India
Kandhamal goes saffron to save life and property
Madhuri Dalbehara was stringing flowers under a saffron flag quite assured that no one would torch her house in anti-Christian violence-hit Kandhamal - a telling indication of the fear that Hindu fundamentalists have spread across the district.
- IANS
- Published: 23:43 October 29, 2008
Kandhamal: Madhuri Dalbehara was stringing flowers under a saffron flag quite assured that no one would torch her house in anti-Christian violence-hit Kandhamal - a telling indication of the fear that Hindu fundamentalists have spread across the district.
"We have displayed these flags to ward off any attack on us," said Dalbehara, who is a Christian.
"There is Hindu-Christian violence in our region. This flag is an indication that we are Hindus. No one has attacked our house so far," she smiled, asking a visiting IANS correspondent if he had "come from abroad to do research in the district over the violence".
"It is a sensitive area and by hoisting the flag, we have made sure no one harms us," she added.
Thousands of houses across the district display saffron flags to give the impression that the residents are Hindus while, in fact, they are Christians.
"It's better to protect your house and if a flag can save our lives then there is nothing wrong in it," said Nabghan Chinara, a resident of the G. Udaygiri neighbourhood, pointing to the tiny flag fluttering on the roof.
"There is no animosity between tribals and Christians here. We were all living happily but outsiders are spreading hatred. They might have some political motive," said Rajesh Pradhan, another resident.
Anti-Christian violence has been boiling in Kandhamal ever since the August 23 killing of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, a Hindu religious leader, and four of his supporters. While Maoists have claimed responsibility for the murders, Hindu fundamentalists insist that Christians were behind the murder.
"I am not branding Hindus as criminals or fundamentalists but activists of Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad are trying to bring in fascism in Orissa. We won't allow Orissa to become another Gujarat," said Swarupanand Patra, president of the Orissa Minority Forum, while referring to the anti-Muslim pogrom in the western Indian state following the February 27, 2002, Godhra train burning.
"They are asking our Christian brothers to convert into Hinduism or else face death. Is this democracy?" asked Patra.
Share this article
News Editor's choice
-
Into an oasis of values
A place to snuggle in the warmth of old manners away from the bustle of city life
-
The walking MP
Rory Stewart's long walk in life has taken a new turn
-
What drives Africa's new kind of refugees?
Warming-driven factors have led many in the continent to flee their homes
