National Kandhamal Day - Challenges

On 23rd August 2008, when some miscreants killed Swami Lakshamananda Saraswathy, it became the occasion for the fundamentalistic forces to take on the Dalit Christians in Kandhamal, Orissa. From the day after, as the news spread, violence spiraled and several Dalit Christians were massacred, their properties were destroyed, their worshipping places dismantled, their livelihoods were attacked, and those fundamentalists were successful in instilling fear among Dalit Christians. Herewith, I bring out few challenges, as we observe this day commemorating the Kandhamal episode last year.

Interfaith Peace Process
The brutal violence and bloodshed for the last one year in Orissa on Dalit Christians, caused in the name of faith, caste, ethnicity, have not gone out of memories in the minds of people. From 24th August 2008, attacks, assaults, massacres on Dalit Christians began and spiraled all along the months in different forms and scores. Some organizations are observing today as National Kandhamal Day by organizing inter-denominational prayer meeting for peace, healing and reconciliation. Thanks for such gestures by all those organizations, in promoting peace and reconciliation. Appreciations to all those organizing this prayer for peace, which is the need of the hour. My only reticence in observing this day as a Christian event, once again makes us parochial, only sensitive to Christian needs. For the last one-year, we Christians cannot forget the solidarity, support and co-operation we received from all corners of civil society. Several responsible citizens came out in public and marched along with us in the journey and demand for justice. The violence in Kandhamal is not just a regional issue, not just a Christian issue but certainly a national issue concerned to all the citizens of India. The violence that spiraled after Kandhamal had several greater effects on the secular fabric of India and on the ethos of community living in India.

Wipe Away the Pages of August 2008
The conditions of people in Kandhamal, still the survivors of that carnage a year ago, are to be resettled, peace & reconciliation are still a distant dream for them, the memory of violence has not passed a year for them, it seems it had happened only yesterday. How would these survivors of violence observe this day? Probably they may not want to think of Aug 23-24, 2008 any longer in their lives, for those days and days after have completely shattered their lives and livelihood. Most of those surviving children will have to grow with memories of pain and bloodshed of their dear ones. Imagine the impact these acts of violence that would have made on the young minds. Fear, conflicts, violence, assaults, injuries, insults, deaths, destructions etc. will all be part of their memory, I bet can never be forgotten in their life time. On what faith can the parents nurture their children in such a context?

A Call for Social Audit
More than just a memory today, I think on this day, the government, the civil society, the inter-faith organizations and the Churches should take a social audit of their peace engagements for the last one-year. What has been their response to the violence, and how have they been channeling peace and reconciliation? How have been the labyrinths of issues addressed? How effective where their advocacy and solidarity roles? Is peace and reconciliation a possibility through their efforts? What have they achieved in countering violence and establishing peace?

Building Peace Communities
This day calls all of us to build communities of peace in our localities. Let each of us give up our exclusivistic claims, and strive for peace and harmony in our area. The Kandhamal is a challenge for all the responsible citizens to be ambassadors of peace. Never ever give up that peace was defeated, that secularism was defeated, but let the challenge be on us to be the channel of peace, building peace communities, where unity in diversity is affirmed. Let us be truthful to our conscience and make peace a reality.

Saluting the Dalit Christian Martyrs
Today, also calls us to salute the Dalit Christian martyrs of Kandhamal, who have been innocently killed, for the sake of affirming their faith openly and freely. These Dalit Christian martyrs will serve as an inspiration, for they as Dalits chose a faith, which was liberating and chose to practice it in all boldness. These Dalit Christians have been massacred for being Dalit and for being Christian. They have left a legacy of liberation and transformation, which I think will have to be carried by us.

Martyr O Dalit Christian martyr,
Your lives were made a satire,
By those with that saffron attire,
For some are killed by fire,
And some made as pyre,
On whom they had to play their lyre,
Of hatred, vengeance, death entire.

You stand as an inspiration,
your faith withstood the intimidation,
by forces of caste and condemnation.
may we carry your spirit of perspiration,
to keep up your aspiration.

Channels of peace we are called,
when Exclusivism is stalled,
And Inclusivism is installed.