why minorities feel unsafe in today’s India

Why do minorities feel unsafe in contemporary India?

Dubai : Sadia Abbasi 

Odisha , the eighth largest state of India , once called as kalnaga, in ancient history , has become hell on earth for religious , ethnic minorities in India . 

Kandhamal district is in the state of Odisha, .District is famous for handicrafts such as Dokra, Terra Cotta, Cane and Bamboo works. The region is proud of its rich cultural heritage. The Kandhamal is bestowed with the beauty of nature. It has wild life, scenic beauty, healthy climate.

It was a Sad day of August 25, 2008, that hell broke loose on the Christians of Kandhamal, with Hindu extremists attacking them for the August 23 . Christians were wrongly accused of assassinating a local Hindu leader Swami ‎Lakshmanananda Saraswati.Saraswati’s murder led to massive violent riots and reprisals against Christians in the Kandhamal district . More than 50,000 houses and churches were burned and destroyed. More than 3,000 Christians, including pastors, were killed, and countless others were rendered homeless.Nuns were also raped . Hundreds of surviving pastors quit their pastoral work.

Hindu extremists called another Rally to remark 16th anniversary of Swamy Lakhmananand Saraswati .As the rally approaches, posters have been distributed through social media by “Shri Ram Sena Bharat,” stating, The Organizers /promoters of this rally are openly asking the people to come with whatever weapons they have stored in their homes through public mike systems.

Many Christians in the Kandhamal district of Central India’s State of Odisha have fled their homes to neighboring States ,while those who remain are living in fear and uncertainty.

I participated in Conference in Europe ( Rome ) conference titled "Under Caesar's Sword ,it was An International Conference on Christian Response to Persecution , in a panel discussion during conference  referred the 2008 Odisha attacks as "the worst in independent India."

Today is August 25 and  after Sixteen years the atmosphere of the district is mourned by fear and dread. Modi government is reluctant to punish the accused which is also a big question mark on India’s justice system.The 16th anniversary of the Kandhamal massacre is marked by lingering pain and unanswered calls for justice.