Thursday, September 4, 2008

Rupees Three Hundred Thousand is the Cost of those died in Orissa Communal Violence

Shri. Shivraj Patil, the Home Minister of the Union Government of India, visited the violence erupted Khandamal in Orissa after 11 days of violence and has reviewed the situation over there. After his visit, he has announced a compensation of Rupees three hundred thousand as ex-gratia to each family of those killed in communal violence in Khandamal, Orissa. He also had to say that the present situation in Khandamal is somewhere between ‘normalcy and volatile’.

Thanks to the gesture of the Central Government in announcing an ex-gratia to those families who are in deep distress, sorrow, fear and trauma. But, as this was announced, several questions rippled around my thoughts. Can life be priced in terms of money? Will a price bring back the lost one in the family? If it is all with money, there are no ends to the killings? How easy it is to worth human life in terms of money? To put the debate in perspective the primary question that surrounds and summarises the situation in Orissa at the moment will be, in such a situation of turmoil and fear, what does it mean to achieve justice for the Dalit Christians in Khandamal, Orissa, who have been the worst victims due to the communal violence?

I know, that I am entering into a wider debate, which has several layers of viciousness and which has several ramifications and consequences. However it is worth to attempt to draw the parameters for what does it mean to achieve justice to Dalits Christians in Khandamal? I think, certainly announcing a grant of some rupees may not be the all in all for Dalit Christians at a moment like this. Nor, a mere visit to the streets of Khandamal is the solution at a time like this (like our Home Minister visiting the deserted streets of Khandamal, where people fled to forests to save their lives). Nor deploying some paramilitary forces will be what the victims would require (for the policemen were mere spectators to the violence done to Dalit Christians in Khandamal). Nor a mere Press statement by the government authorities is the response now in this situation (for the Chief Minister of Orissa talks to the Press telling that situation in Khandamal is coming to normalcy, whereas violence has simmered in Jeypore, Koraput areas and reports of fresh violence on Christians come in).

Therefore, in a situation, which is so volatile like this in Orissa, I envision that to achieve justice to Dalit Christians means

· To promote peace and harmony among communities of all religions in Orissa.
· To condemn fundamentalism and fanaticism in every religion, that inflicts violence and inflates the religious sentiments leading to violence.
· To punish the perpetrators of violence under law, who cause it in the name of religion & caste and in specific, in the name of religious ethos.
· To create a space and place for the Dalit Christians to come back home safely and to live in all safety and freedom, by overcoming the fear, trauma and grief.
· To initiate peace committees through inter-faith interventions in all local communities.
· To exert pressure on the state and central governments in ensuring justice through their government machinery, and make the state also accountable for failing to maintain law and order situation in the state.
· To organise a dialogue/interface between the Tribals and Dalits in Khandamal for a peaceful negotiation between the two communities.
· To enjoy the freedom of religion as granted by the Constitution of India, and to exercise faith in all freedom and liberty.
· To affirm in the richness of the people’s cultural identities, with out any dictation from external agencies.
· To assert the human rights of all people, and specifically the rights of Dalits.
· To strive for a community of transformation, a community of friendship, a community of love and a community of peace and justice.

These are just some pointers towards what it means to achieve justice in the context of turmoil in Orissa. Money cannot pay the price, nor cannot equate life, but affirming in the human dignity, human identity and human freedom can lead to he path of justice and tranquillity. Towards that end, may we all strive for and engage in. Jai hind.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Though immediate relief to the victims of violence is necessary longstanding measures ensuring security to the minorities especially the most vulnerable Dalits is the most important step that need to be taken now. Thank you for pointing out that. Hope NCCI would take initiative to bring together all enlightened people from all faiths to raise the national consciousness against religious hatred and intolerance. Consistent measures need to be taken to liberate the Dalits and tribals from poverty, illiteracy and social stigma.

Unknown said...

it was great that we have one person always having a critical eye on the issues, u have brought many issues in the mainline. thank you for u r suggested and elevated points. In this situation we need a fact finding team, hopefully u could concentrate on this issues also, since u r in the same desk u can do that.
once again thank you very much for u r valuable information.

Unknown said...

We are all shedding tears of blood reading all the attrocities done to the Dalit Christians. We are with you in all the demands you have put forward. Personally I would like to demand the Governent of India in bringing all the officials to books, who have joined the antisocial elements and hooligans in persecuting and ill-treating the Dalit Christians. R. Gomez, September 5, 2008, 6.35 p.m.

Prof. Sarada said...

Where is freedom of religion as granted by the constitution in India?.it has been a cry in wilderness to safe guard the constitutional rights of dalits.as Dr. B.R Ambedkar rightly said For ours is a battle not for wealth or for power. It is battle for freedom. It is the battle of reclamation of human personality.
and thanks for the consistent efforts of NCCI desk and for networking through inter faith groups.this is the right time to the united battle of dalits and adivasis for their liberation.

flow free said...

we need more specific issues and programs

Unknown said...

It's good to see NCCI providing a much needed helping hand to the Dalits.The pain and agony the Dalits have been through can never be forgotten.The government has been a mere spectator of these series of violent events and will remain a spectator.It's high time that we come together to help the Dalits have their freedom of religion.Hope the initiatives taken by NCCI would help the Dalits have a better tomorrow.

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