How far can we go in the name of God

India...We claim ourselves to be one of the largest democratic nations in the world. We always talk about unity in diversity. Our great politicians always deliver speeches and speeches emphasizing upon equal rights for everybody. We are talking about economic development and one of the most powerful developing nations in the global map. I thought for a while ...well dear friends...I can keep on adding various attributes or you can say so called various feel-good factors to make ourselves happy. But what happened in Kandhamal district in Orrisa has shocked the entire nation.

“Welcome to Kandhamal”, announces a road sign board. Well, a small nature’s paradise surrounded with lush green forest and green hills, dotted with springs and soothing climate has become a new synonym to emerging battle ground...a perfect paradigm on –how much we can hate in the name of God. Unfortunately, it is a harsh reality. Perhaps a small district that got full coverage in various newspapers or pulled the attention of millions of people across the entire nation. Attack on Christians – 4845 incidents, 1,949 dead, 16,792 injured. That’s an official summary of communal violence in India between 2001 to 2007. As Mob go on rampage in Orrisa-states Sunday Time. Would you like to have any more statistics or data? to make you realize or aware you about the cruel truth that is currently prevailing in the soil in Orrisa.

Kandhamal district has been in news for last couple of years. The ratio of conflicts between Hindu Kandh Tribal and Christian Dalit Panas has increased dramatically. What you will do when you lost entire family or your sweet home is burned in a single night? Just some words of sympathy. But words of compassion have no meaning for Rabindranath Pradhan. “Lord helps us, where I will go? Forgive us our sins. Jesus where are you, you are the only one. Save us from our misfortune.” The words are tumbling out. Narmada is weeping with her children.

Attack on Christians on 1st September, 2008 was one of worst communal violence between Hindus and Christians in Orrisa. As the result of this violence 16 persons killed, 35 injured, 185 arrested, 558 houses and 17 places of worship burnt. And unfortunately as always our politicians are once again trying to boil the issue out of proportion. VSP International General Secretary, who likes nothing except to drive non-Hindus out of India.

Today, I really feel sad to say that we all don’t deserve to celebrate and promote our tag of being called as A Nation with Unique Unity with wide Diversity. Sometimes, I feel it would be really hash for Mr. Gandhi to accept the mental condition of nation even after 50 years of independence.

Nothing has changed even after 61 years of Indian independence. As, I mentioned in my previous blogs problems like poverty and equal rights for every class has remained untouched in many parts of India and the picture of Orrisa is not different. The battle is over jobs, land, status and then religion. Possibly, the time has come when we all need to understand the importance of peace and equal right and law for everybody. The violence that took place in Khandhmal can happen any where in India unless our elected government implement some strict measures to overcome from these crises.