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The United Church of Canada/L'Église Unie du CanadaSeptember 15, 2008
The churches of India, through the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI), have appealed to the global ecumenical community to pray and express solidarity and support for the people of Orissa, India, and other communities affected by an outbreak of violence. NCCI invites partners to uphold them in our prayers, especially on September 21, which is the World Council of Churches’ International Day of Prayer for Peace.
We invite you to respond to the NCCI's appeal by devoting time in your Sunday service on September 21. The Special Prayer Order
* that NCCI has prepared can be used.
In December 2007, a violent confrontation broke out in Orissa, India, between Christians and members of a Hindu group led by Swami Saraswati Lakshmanda. It resulted in extensive destruction of property of Christians, injuries to people, and killings. Violence erupted again on August 23, 2008, after the Swami Lakshmanda was killed. Maoist rebels have claimed responsibility for the killing, but followers of the Swami blame Christians for it.
The root of this historic tension lies in concerns about conversion of Hindus to Christianity and in a long-simmering dispute about the rights and benefits granted to Christian converts. An upsurge in proselytizing activities of missionaries from overseas and southern India has aggravated the situation.
Indians of lower castes, known as Dalits, have been the targets of the violence in Orissa. In the 1970s, the state of Orissa passed anti-conversion legislation stipulating that people who wish to convert to Christianity must seek the approval of district authorities or face penalties including imprisonment and loss of economic and educational rights.
India's affirmative legislation makes some government jobs and education opportunities available only to people from marginalized castes, including Dalits. This has not been applied to Christian Dalits, in the belief that as Christians they are free from discrimination based on the Hindu caste system. The targeting of Dalits has been precipitated by fears that if affirmative action is extended to Dalit Christians, it would encourage more conversion among India's 160 million Dalits.
The toll has been huge, including the killing of 26 persons and burning of 50 churches. Tens of thousands have fled their homes and sought refuge in relief camps or in the forests. The violence and atrocities have not only continued, but have now crossed the boundary of Orissa into Karnataka and other parts of India, causing alarm and insecurity among the population.
NCCI has appealed to the global ecumenical community to pray for the people of Orissa, India, and other communities affected by the violence.
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