| |
Newsletter 
  RSS
NDTV.com
Updated: November 21, 2009 22:34 IST
   What's New:   Classifieds   |   Auto   |   Jobs   |   Tutoring US only NDTV GURUJI NDTV Search
NDTV Print Story Story Video Story Images Story Comments Message Board
Rate the Story
NDTV Active
To read the biggest stories of the day on your mobile, type mobile.ndtv.com on your phone browser.
Most Watched Videos
NDTV
My best romantic song ever: Kareena
NDTV
I stand by my love: Kareena
NDTV
Farah picks Akshay over SRK
NDTV
Ash taken aback by Paa
NDTV
Akshay, Suneil, Paresh on De Dana Dan
Poll Center
Should religious conversions be banned?
Yes
No
Can't say
Forums
Do you think India is low on religious tolerance?
User Name Password
New User ? Sign In
A black Christmas it was in the tribal-dominated Kondhmal district of Orissa. No prayers were held in hundreds of churches following communal tension that beset the area Monday onwards.

One person was killed and 25 others injured with indefinite curfew being clamped in 4 towns including the district headquarters. Churches, convents and some houses belonging to Christians were set ablaze by mobs led by Vishwa Hindu Parishad cadre.

They claimed the violence was in retaliation of an attack on one of their leaders on Monday, allegedly by a group of Christians. The leader who escaped unhurt says the source of the conflict is religious conversion by Christian missionaries.

"They want to convert people to Christianity and convert the country into a Christian land. We are opposed to that and that is the source of all disputes and fights," said Swami Laxmananand, VHP leader.

There were enough indications that Christmas celebrations would be marred.

A week ago, Kui Samaj, a tribal outfit announced its plan to go for a bandh on the 25th and 26th of December. It only needed a minor communal clash in Brahamnigaon village to galvanize the VHP and Bajrang Dal who already seemed ready to strike.

And by Tuesday evening, when additional forces were rushed to the trouble-torn areas, the damage had already been done.

"Additional forces had been sent and the situation as under control," said Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister, Orissa.

But Opposition leaders claim the situation in Kondhmal deteriorated on Christmas day, as the chief minister was busy with arrangements for the rally, meant to mark the10th anniversary of the Biju Janata Dal. And a sudden telecom failure ensured that no reports from the ground reached the state capital.

Unconfirmed reports suggest Hindu militants are preparing to attack churches in areas that have been left unguarded by the police.
Print Story Story Video Story Images Story Comments Message Board
Story Finder 
Save & Share Yahoo Digg Reditt Del Newsvine
 
User Comments [ +Comment on the story ]
NDTV Posted By Gireesh-Monday, December 31, 2007
This fixation to convert other people is rooted in the belief that my relegion is superiour to yours.This belief is a direct challenge to indian ethos which gives respect to all relegions. The fact that tribals and poor have converted should be seen in the context of the massive inflow of foreign funds which the missionaries are recieving from foreign countries.THIS IS SIMPLY BUYING OF HUMAN SOULS.This foreign funded changes in demography will in the long run lead to social unrest and in many cases like Mizoram and Assam - INSURGENCY.
 
NDTV Posted By shadab-Sunday, December 30, 2007
nOT OFFENDING ANYONE, i'D LIKE TO ADD THAT PARTIES LIKE Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal etc have no political agendas that they can talk about. They need to make their moolah, so this is the only way to make their existence felt. Fool people and tell them that a handful of christians are going to take over India that is populated by 80% Hindus. Scare the majority and make them insecured. Irony is that educated people who have access to tools like internet and where the world is on their fingertips get impressed by them. Some of the comments I read are shocking. If this is the way things are going to be... lets forget the assumptions that India will ever be a super power. Congratulations to all those who are scared of India becoming a super power. WE WILL NEVER BE, WE ARE MAKING SURE.
 
NDTV Posted By Vikram Bhaskaran-Friday, December 28, 2007
Yet another classic example of Anti-Hindu Media reporting. The artical says "Unconfirmed reports suggest Hindu militants are preparing to attack churches in areas that have been left unguarded by the police." This is typical cooking up stories by media. If a news is not confirmed then why put it - the only purpose is to misguide people. Again, the article coins words such as "Hindu Militants". However no one would say "Islamic Militants" or "Christian Militants". In the land of the Hindu, Hindu's become the militants.
 
NDTV Posted By sandip-Thursday, December 27, 2007
It will take our country in mess. We should provide livelihoods to our brotherhood in India. The incidents like this will take India in a bad name with non indian ativities. Though Cristines want to serve the nation why they are going for conversion. What they want to prove. And media should note there is no Hindu millitant or muslim millitant. Millitant has no religon they have only terrorism. my brothers & sisters we should try our level best for mankind not for coming days but for entire humanity to save from killing oneself..
 
NDTV Posted By Prikshat Verma-Thursday, December 27, 2007
THIS WORLD WOULD HAVE BEEN A BETTER PLACE WITHOUT RELIGIONS AND COMMUNISM.
 
NDTV Posted By Bikram-Thursday, December 27, 2007
VHP is doing best for the hindu scociety and country. We need to stop Chirstan Missonaries from cor country.
 
NDTV Posted By ashutosh-Thursday, December 27, 2007
Conversion issue has been simmering in the tribal belt of M.P., Chhtisgarh, Jharkhand and Orrissa among other's. These eruptions are simply symptoms of a larger malady facing us. Indian law does not allow conversion by inducement. However anyone with even a rudimentary knowledge of conversions knows that this law is flouted on a regular basis.Almost all conversions happen because of economic and material reasons, instead of spiritual. I am not condoning any violence but Missionary activities and the source of their funds have to be properly investigated.Since successive governments have abdicated their responsibilities and turned a blind eye towards it due to political reasons. Matters get out of hand sometimes. As long as we shy away from calling a spade a spade, we can not even begin to find a solution.
 
NDTV Posted By jay-Thursday, December 27, 2007
Some fundamentalist Hindus must be taught to behave properly. They need to know why people get converted. If conversion is done by force, then state has to stop that. But most of the time it’s not by force but for convenience. Everyone must have the right to have a better life. Many people give more importance to food, shelter, dignity, education etc than religion. If Christian missionaries can provide food, education and a decent life, free from social evils like castism, then I fully support such conversion. If any Hindus or organizations need to stop such conversions, they must wipe out heinous caste system, provide food, some meaningful education etc to the weaker section of Hindu community. It’s useless to use violence to defame a great, peaceful religion of Hinduism and vent our frustration for our own inability to reform our own religion on others (be it Christian or Islam).
 
NDTV Posted By Dr Salam-Wednesday, December 26, 2007
The latest happenings in India are not good for a strong India. This would only weaken India and pull it down. Hope people realise it early.
 


About Us | Advertise | Feedback | Disclaimer | Investor | Careers | Transmission | Distribution | Complaint Redressal
© Copyright NDTV Convergence Limited 2009. All rights reserved.