Turmoil in Orissa - A Call for Solidarity

As you are aware about the situation in India right now, the state of Orissa is in utter turmoil, with the tension for the lives of Dalit Christians creeping up, after the brutal killings of nearly 30 people, Christian houses burnt, and ransacking several Christian institutions and Churches by the religious fundamentalist groups. Most Dalit Christians and their families have fled to the jungles and are hiding there in fear and life threatening situations. It has already been four days since the attacks on Christians have started, and the state government has utterly failed in bringing in peace in the state of Orissa.

On the call of the National United Christian Forum, a united plattform of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) and the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI) Christian schools, colleges and other instituations were closed today, 29th August 2008 all across the nation as a mark of solidarity with the suffereing brothers and sisters in Orissa and as a potest against the communal violence on Christian minorities in Orissa.

Besides this, delegations of Church leadership have met the Prime Minister of India and has sought the quick intervention of the Union government in safeguarding Christians in Orissa and in establishing peace among communities in Orissa. Several Church representatives are sitting at the Orissa Bhavan in New Delhi building pressure on the Orissa government to act judiciously and to bring the law and order situation to control.

It was also decided that on the 7th September 2008, Sunday, the Churches will declare a day of prayer and fasting and will hold prayer services and memorial gatherings, highlighting the need for solidarity with all the victims and pray for peace and harmony among people of all faiths. Therefore i urge you all to join in observing the day of prayer on the 7th, wherever you are and take the lead in your local congregations to do so. At our NCCI secretariat, few prayers and a brief worship order have been prepared and are posted on our NCCI website for you all to make use of those resources for the 7th. As we all know 21st September is celebrated as the International Day of Prayer for Peace, which was initiated by the World Council of Churches, may i also ask you all to take the occasion from the 7th to 21st September, a fortnight, in calling all people of faith for prayer and solidarity for peace and harmony in India.

At a moment like this, we all need to be united in our efforts, and we in NCCI are working hard to get connected with people in Orissa through our regional council, the Utkal Christian Council. An inter-faith peace group is envisaged to be initiated for peace measures in Orissa, and i also request you all to organise inter-faith groups in your localities in sensitizing them in addressing issues on communal violence and for a wider network of solidarity for the Dalit Christians in Orissa.

I shall keep you updated on the situation, but we seek all your earnest prayers and support for the people of Orissa.

Trusting in the hope of Shalom.