By Matters India Reporter

New Delhi, March 4, 2019: An extensive documentary film on the Kandhamal genocide is being screened at various places in the national capital

The 95-minute “Voices from the Ruins,” directed by noted film maker K P Sasi, is the complete account of the anti-Christian violence that took place in 2007 and 2008 in the Kandhamal district of Odisha, eastern India.

Divya Bhatt, the filmmaker and event organizer, said the screening began on March 3 will last until March 6.

On March 3 it was screened at St. Martin’s Church, Delhi Cantonment. On March 4 it will be shown at JNU Union room, on March 5 at Vidyajyoti College of Theology, Civil Lines, and at Church of St. Teresa of Child Jesus, Pushpa Vihar, and on March 6 at Ambedkar University.

The state of Orissa (now Odisha) was born in 1936 as a result of the social reform movement initiated by Madhusoodhan Das, who was called ‘The Father of Orissa’. Das was a converted Christian. Kandhamal District is mainly inhabited by Adivasis and Dalits, a large number of them Christians.

The hate campaign against the Christians in Kandhamal started in late 1960s and sustained for several decades culminating in violence on the minorities in 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. The worst violence on the Christians in modern India took place in 2008.

It led to the destruction of more than 350 churches, displacement of over 56,000 people, destruction of over 6,500 houses, deaths of over 101 people and abuse of over 40 women. The victims were Adivasi Christians and Dalit Christians. The survivors of Kandhamal violence are still struggling against the improper compensation, improper rehabilitation and improper justice delivery systems.

Kandhamal Survivors Association, National Solidarity Forum and Kandhamal Never Again have been trying to act for justice for the survivors of Kandhamal.

The documentary film brings out the concerns of the survivors, through their own voices as well concerned sections, analyzing the historical roots of violence, the impact of violence on various sections of the communities and the struggle for justice by the survivors of Kandhamal violence.

“When we speak of war today in India today, please remember that there have been enough `one-sided wars’ on the Indian people,” Sasi said.