26 February, 2015
Kandhamal Pogrom Website Launched
By Santosh Digal
A website has been launched to focus attention on the failure of the governments of Odisha and the federal to ensure comprehensive just and rehabilitation for the victims of the anti-Christian pogrom of 2007-2008 in the Kandhamal district and adjoining district of the State of Odisha. The website has been commissioned by a group of social activists, jurists, lawyers, academicians, writers and artists who have been frustrated at the snail pace of justice process which has seen many killers and arsonists go scot free, while many others not have been arrested. The website www.kandhamal.net according to the group will be authentic source of information, data and legal documentations which will be used by advocacy and legal aid groups as well researchers working with the victim survivors of the violence
28 December, 2015
Hindutva Forces Disrupt Christmas Celebrations In Kandhamal
By Ajaya Kumar Singh
When the whole world celebrated Christmas with peace and joy, the Adivasi/Dalit Christians of Kandhamal district of Odisha state, India had a night of fear and insecurity. In many parts of this hilly district, Hindutva fascist forces belonging to RSS/BJP supporters threatened Christians not to celebrate Christmas. They also blocked the road to their villages by felling trees and putting huge rocks on the road so that the police force could not reach the place where they were rampaging
15 September, 2015
Why This Inaction on Kandhamal? Brinda Karat Asks Naveen Patnaik
In A Strongly Worded Letter
By Countercurrents.org
Brinda Karat, former Member of Parliament and Polit Bureau member of Communist Party of India – Marxist (CPI-M) has sent a strongly worded letter to Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister Odisha, asking why he ignores the plight of the victims of anti-Christian communal violence in Kandhamal. In her letter, Brinda Karat asks why he has refused a hearing to the victims of the violence, even when the President of India gave them a patient hearing. She also raises the issue of total failure of the criminal justice system in relation to the Kandhamal violence
10 September, 2015
A Church That Has Become A Cow Shed!
By Binu Mathew
As I enter this ramshackle building a pungent smell of cow dung and urine pierces my nostrils. Cow dung is lying everywhere. Pools of urine are formed here and there. The walls are collapsing. This was once a Roman Catholic Church. Now the place has become a resting place of grazing cows. On the wall, which once formed the backdrop of the Sacred Altar, local Romeos have drawn love signs and written messages for their Juliets. Come to Gunjabadi, Kandhamal district of Odisha, India any believer in any God of any religion would be shocked out of their wits
08 September, 2015
Kandhamal Communal Violence Victims Demand
Legal Intervention By Supreme Court
By Countercurrents.org
A delegation of the Kandhamal Committee for Peace and Justice comprising of the victim-survivors of the 2008 anti-Christian carnage, met the Presientof India on September 7. The members were accompanied by Brinda Karat, Mani Shankar Aiyar and Kavitha Krishnan. They demanded that a sitting Supreme Court judge should head a panel to look at the failure of the criminal justice system in Kandhamal and make the required legal intervention so as to ensure justice to the victims of violence
04 September, 2015
When Brinda Karat Became Emotional In Kandhamal
By Binu Mathew
Why such a strong woman like Brinda Karat became so emotional in Kandhamal? It is a story that needs to be told and it will tell the the state of Criminal Justice System in Kandhamal
01 September, 2015
`No More Violence, We Want Peace And Justice!’ Say People Of Kandhamal
By Kandhamal Nyaya Shanti O Sadbhabana Samaj
Marking the completion of seven years of communal violence in Kandhamal, Odisha, more than 5,000 Adivasi Christians and Dalit Christians gathered at Raikia, Kandamal upholding the need for Justice, Peace and Harmony. Thousands of people marched from Beradakia Chowk to Raikia College Chowk, covering a distance of one and half kilomenters, shouting slogans `We Want Peace, Not Violence’, `Stop Atrocities on Minorities and Women’, `In the Name of Religion and Caste Do Not Divide People’, `We Demand Appropriate Compensation’. The rally was organised by Kandhamal Nyaya Shanti O Sadbhabana Samaj, the organisation of victims and survivors of Kandhamal communal violence
29 August, 2015
Kandhamal: A Shame To Secular Polity Of India
By Binu Mathew
Kandhamal is described as the Kashmir of Odisha. It is one of the most beautiful places in India I ever visited. With rolling hills and forests interspersed with lush green paddy fields, flowing rivulets and ponds and a cool breeze blowing Kandhamal is a beholders delight. I may call it a paradise on earth! Beneath all this beauty there is turbulence, fear and a paralysing anxiety that grip the people living in this so called ‘paradise’. For the Christian minorities who belong mostly to Adivasi and Dalit communities Kandhamal is a living hell
27 August, 2015
`No More Kandhamals!’ Kerala Expresses Solidarity!
By Binu Mathew & K.P. Sasi
The overall events in Thrissur, Kottayam, Thiruvananthapuram and discussions in Calicut left deep impression on the participants on the issues faced by the Dalits and Adivasis in Kandhamal. It was felt that wider and stronger pressures must be organised all over the country to pressurise the Government for providing justice, peace and harmony in Kandhamal. More participation from the left and secular forces as well as religious leaders on this issue is needed. The criminals must be put behind bars and innocents must be released and guilty officials should be prosecuted. Proper compensation to suffering people must be provided. The villagers of Kandhamal who are still afraid to come back to their villages due to the threats of Sangh Parivar must be protected. The rule of communal fascism must end
24 August, 2015
Unite Against Communal Fascism: Fr Ajaya Kumar Singh
By Countercurrents.org
Living an ostrich like existence in the face of growing communal fascism will lead the country to destruction said Fr Ajaya Kumar Singh, one of the leading campaigners of Kandhamal justice movement. He said the Hindutva fascist forces are adopting the same tactics that they used in Odisha in Kerala too
09 August, 2015
Observe Kandhamal Day! Preserve Justice, Peace And Harmony!
Protect Indian Constitution!
By National Solidarity Forum
We appeal to all secular, democratic and peace loving citizens of this country to remember August 25, 2008 as a day which the largest democracy called India should not have witnessed. We appeal to you to organize public meetings, seminars, protests and other forms of campaigns so that `No More Kandhamal’ will be repeated in Indian History. We appeal to you to organize events for one week around August 25, 2015 to mark the memory of Kandhamal. We appeal to you to express solidarity to the struggle of the people of Kandhamal, in order to provide adequate pressure on the governmental institutions to provide justice for the victims and survivors
24 July, 2015
Observe Kandhamal Day On August 25
By Countercurrents.org
Kandhamal...! The biggest attack on the Christian community during the last few centuries in India. The victims and survivors were entirely Dalits and Adivasis! Seven years have passed after the major communal attacks in 2008. The wounds have not yet healed. The criminals are not punished and innocents are harassed! The people of Kandhamal are still waiting and struggling for JUSTICE!. An appeal to all secular, democratic forces, sensitive people from all religions, Dalits and Adivasis to observe Kandhamal Day on August 25. Let no more Kandhamal be repeated in future ! Let Peace, Justice and Harmony be celebrated!
04 July, 2015
From Satyabhama To Satyabhama
By K.P. Sasi
This Satyabhama in Kandhamal was again a poor woman like the Satyabhama in Chattisgarh. Both expressed immense courage in different contexts. What is more important for us is to recognise that Satyabhama in Kandhamal is alive and we must know more about all such Satyabhamas in this country, if we have to understand the words lke `secular India’ enshrined in our Indian Constitution. It is on this living Satyabhama that I would like to share some words with you
13 March, 2015
Unite! Let's Make Sure That Kandhamals Are Not Repeated
By Medha Patkar
My friends, let me stop my speech by saying that it is time that the displaced people and the marginalized people come together as a strong force, so that these forms of injustice can be effectively dealt with in a united manner
29 August, 2014
Kandhamal After 6 Years: Waiting For Justice And Peace!
By Ajay Kumar Singh
The anti-Christian violences that took lives a total of 39 persons, including 2 police personnel and 3 rioters while the Human Rights groups estimate to over 100 persons killed, including disabled and elderly persons, children, men and women. The communal frenzy engulfed more than 600 villages at least 6500 houses were looted and burnt with 54000 were made homeless; 315 churches and worship places razed and gutted in fire; 35 schools, philanthropic institutions including leprosy homes, tuberculosis sanatoriums; and a dozen of non-profit organisations were looted, damaged and burnt down. It was estimated that more than 10,000 children dropped out of schools due to displacement and security while thousands were pushed to unhygienic relief camps for nearly three years
12 August, 2014
Protect Culture, Faith, Livelihood And Natural Resources Of
Indigenous People: Observe Kandhamal Day on August 25, 2014
By V. S Roy David
National Adivasi Alliance call upon all the concerned human beings, secular groups, human rights organisations and like minded members of the political parties to respond to the call for action by the National Solidarity Forum for expressing your public concern on the Kandhamal Day on August 25, 2014
30 July, 2014
Kandhamal Cultural Activist Calls For Action on August 25th
By Kandhamal Human Rights Watch
Bolli Anarsingh, who happened to be a victim of anti-Christian communal violence in Kandhamal during 2008, urges people all over the world to take action for justice and peace for survivors of Kandhamal violence
15 July, 2014
Observe Kandhamal Day On August 25, 2014
By Ram Puniyani & Dhirendra Panda
We call upon all secular and human rights activists and organisations to express their concerns on the forthcoming Kandhamal Day on August 25, 2014. We feel that such expressions of concerns, public expressions, dissent and pressure on the present day governance is too important to see to it that such communal violence with the protection of State will not be repeated in future – either in Odisha or elsewhere in the world. Therefore, we appeal to you to join hands with our actions with the demand for justice for the survivors of communal violence in Kandhamal in as many ways as possible
25 August, 2013
Kandhamal, Five Years Later: Why The Silence?
By K.P. Sasi
On this day of August 25, 2013, which rightfully should have been observed as a Khandamal Day nationally and internationally and unfortunately being ignored by this largest democratic, secular and sovereign State called India, it may be more appropriate to begin with our own limitations – our own silence which became the cause and effect of any large scale violence expressed in history
Five Years On From Kandhamal Violence, Victims Await Justice, Rehabilitation, And Peace
By Christian Solidarity Worldwide
The Christian community in Kandhamal district, Odisha state (formerly Orissa) is this weekend marking the fifth anniversary of a wave of violence in which an estimated 90 people were killed and at least 54,000 displaced. Much of the violence was brutal in nature, including sexual violence and burning or burying victims alive
15 August, 2013
Kandhamal Carnage: Aftermath
By Ram Puniyani
Kandhmal is yet another reflection of the impact of communal forces within our system, the difficulty in rehabilitation for them and the lack of adequate justice for riot victims. This is what is the major phenomenon eroding our democratic plural ethos. More and urgent efforts need to be put in for these hapless victims of the carnage
14 January, 2013
An Unsung Nirbhaya In Kandhamal
By Asha Kowtal
This is the story of a young girl in a remote village in Kandhamal district of Odisha. On Oct. 26, 2012, she went to watch a movie with her male friends from her village during the Dussera celebrations. She was brutally assaulted, gang raped and murdered. The next morning, her body was found in the bushes nearby. This case resembles the recent Delhi case in all aspects, except that the ‘outrage’ expressed from all corners of the country differs vastly
Rape And Murder Of Dalit And Minority Girls In Kandhamal -
Fact Finding Report
By Concerned Citizens
Interim Report of the Fact Finding Investigation of Rape and Murder of Dalit & Minority Girls in Kandhamal, Odisha
10 January, 2013
Sufferings Of The Orissa Victims Still Cotinue
By Countercurrents.org
. The violence that began in 2007 Christmas time followed by a series of attack in 2008 that took away more than 100 lives and made more than 54000 people homeless is not yet over completely. In several parts of Kandamal, people live under severe threats and in dehumanized conditions. While some houses that have been burnt away were rebuilt, their lives have not been turned to normalcy due to the discriminations and rejections for being Christians
27 August, 2012
Kandhamal Communal Violence: Four Years Later
A Fact Finding Report
A synopsis of the fact finding report on the situation of violence affected people in Kandhamal after four years
14 July, 2012
How To Observe The Fourth Anniversary Of Kandhamal
By John Dayal
On 24th August this year, Kandhamal will complete four years of its trial by fire, gun and axe. The violence, which lasted several weeks and saw sporadic incidents even three months later, registered over 52,000 people hiding for their life in nearby Sal forests, almost 6,000 houses burnt to the ground, more than 300 places of worship and church-run institutions destroyed, and perhaps as many as 100 persons, some of them women, killed in the most horrendous manner
24 September, 2010
Kandhamal: The Real Challenges
By RL Francis
The vice chairman of National Commission for Minorities (NCM) Dr HT Sangliana giving a clean chit to Orissa government on Kandhamal violence by praising the steps taken by the state government for bringing normalcy in Phulbani district has given a blow to the Christian organisations allegations against the state government. These organisations had alleged that several thousands of the victims are yet to be rehabilitated in the effected areas of Kandhamal
18 September, 2010
The Plight Of Kandhamal Communal Violence Survivors
By Raphael Cheenath & Dr. Swarupanada Patra
A Memorandum to the Chief Minister of Orissa, Naveen Patnaik
A letter to the Chief Minister of Orissa demanding necessary measures to ensure rightful and adequate restoration and rehabilitation of the children affected due to communal violence in Kandhamal and other districts
26 August, 2010
Preliminary Findings And Recommendations Of
National People’s Tribunal On Kandhamal
By The National People’s Tribunal Jury
The jury observes, with concern, the institutionalised communal and casteist bias of state agencies, and their deliberate dereliction of constitutionally mandated duties, their connivance with communal forces, participation in and support to the violence and a deliberate scuttling of processes of justice through acts of commission and omission. The state agencies have blatantly failed to extend much- needed institutional support to victim-survivors and protect them from ostracism, socio-economic boycott and subjugation by non-state actors
23 August, 2010
Tribunal On Kandhamal Opens In Delhi
Initial Testimonies highlight abject failure of state machinery
16 August, 2010
Online Exhibition On Kandamal By Dalit Artists
By Orissa Concerns
Dalit artists, Shashi Memuri and Venkatesh have completed a series of paintings and sketches for an exhibition on the situation in Kandhamal after visiting more than 50 villages in the area recently. These can be downloaded and print outs can be taken in A/3 size
15 August, 2010
Definitive Dossier On Kandhamal Communal Violence
By Vikas Adhyayan Kendra
Definitive dossier on Kandhamal communal violence of August-September 2008 where as per the official figures, more than 600 villages were ransacked, 5600 houses were looted and burnt, 54000 people were left homeless and 38 people were murdered. Human rights groups estimate that over 100 people were killed, including women, disabled people, children, Adivasis and Dalits. Three women were gang raped and many were injured. 295 churches were destroyed
15 June, 2010
Study of The Conditions of Women Affected
by Communal Violence In Kandhamal
By College of Social Work Nirmala Niketan
Violence against women is one of the most systematic and prevalent human rights abuses in the world. Kandhamal was not an exception
Orissa: Tragedy Continues
By Ram Puniyani
The after-effects of the anti Christian violence (2007) in Kandhamal district of Orissa are not over, so to say. Recently the Archbishop Cheenath of the state said that the elections in the Kandhmamal district should be postponed as the refugees living in the camps are not able to return. The reason is that many of them who returned were threatened by the local Bajrang Dal workers and associates
10 November, 2008
Salutation To A Brave Soul Who Valiantly Fought Her Honor
By Vidya Bhushan Rawat
Story of Sister Meena, an Adivasi nun who was raped by the Hindutva's thugs in kandhamal district of Orissa On August 24th
October 18, 2008
Kandhamal: Under Whose Control ?
By Dhirendra Panda
The question arises - what does 'situation is under control' mean, under whose control is it? The information as gathered from the field, it is under the control of the VHP, Bajrang Dal and their hooligans backed by BJP leaders. The situation is unthinkably scaring and suspicious. Everybody is awfully waiting under uncertainty – as if, it may bring another big trouble next day. Even NGOs and reporters are under constant fear of being threatened
September 6, 2008
Visit To Orissa
By Shabnam Hashmi
This account is based only on the testimonies for those who managed to escape and reach Bhubaneshwar. The situation is very serious in Orissa and only a full fact finding team can come out with full details after it is allowed to enter those areas
Hindutva's Violent History
By Angana Chatterji
The Sangh’s history in postcolonial Orissa is long and violent. Virulent Hindutva campaigns against minority groups reverberated in Rourkela in 1964, Cuttack in 1968 and 1992, Bhadrak in 1986 and 1991, Soro in 1991. The Kandhamal riots were not unforeseen
28 August, 2008
Pogrom Against Christians In Orissa
By John Dayal & Shabnam Hashmi
There is a progom being carried out against Christians in the Indian state of Orissa for the last four days by right wing hindu organisations led by Viswa Hindu Parishat (VHP) and the Rashtiya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). At least 15 persons have lost their lives. One woman was burnt alive. Hundreds of churches torched. Priests and nuns beaten up, thousands of them now hiding in the forests of Orissa. The saddest part is that this is being carried out with the full connivance of the state police
Orissa: What Really Happened
By Orissa Bachao Andolan
A Memorandum To State Human Rights Commission
Dance Of Terror In Orissa
By Nikunj Bhutia
Followed by the killing of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his disciples, Sangha Parivar begin their dance of terror throughout Orissa
12 November, 2003
Learning In Saffron: RSS Schools Orissa
By Angana Chatterji
Sangh Parivar's tentacles have spread and thickened in Orissa during the last five years with the spread of Sangh Parivar education institutions throughout the state
02 November, 2003
Orissa: A Gujarat In The making
By Angana Chatterji
With little resistance to its aggressive onslaught, the sangh parivar looks well set to meet its 2006 deadline for reshaping Orissa into the next ‘laboratory for Hindutva’
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