Sambalpur: The Christian Forum Sambalpur (Odisha) urged Odisha government to safeguard the constitutional rights and privileges of Christians, a Minority Community in Indian Republic.
In a memorandum addressed to the Odisha Governor S. C. Jamir and Chief Minister Navin Pattanaik, the Forum said, “We, the compassionate, kind, humble, gentle and patient followers of the Lord Jesus Christ (Christians), respectfully, draw your kind attention to ensure peace, security and protection to the Christian Minority at large, in Odisha State as well as throughout the Indian Republic.”
The memorandum was signed by its president Bishop Niranjan Sualsingh of Sambalpur and others.
The Forum recalled a sequel of the past: brutal killing Graham Steins and Fr. Arul Doss in Keonjhar district, Odisha in 1999; Kandhamal anti-Christian violence and gang rape of an innocent nun at Nuagon, Odisha in 2008.
A sequel of the recent, the Forum stated, alleged gang-rape of 72- years old nun at Jesus and Mary Convent at Ranaghat, West Bengal, on March 14, 2015 and attacks and desecration of Churches in Delhi, MP, Hissar, Mumbai and other places.
The Forum conveys its deep gratitude to the District Administration Sambalpur for being vigilant to enforce law, peace and security to the Minority Christian Community for the last so many years.
The Forum, therefore, prays to the State Government to safeguard the rights and privileges of Christian Minority Community now onwards in the State of Odisha and throughout the Indian Republic, that all the District Administrations to honour the assurance of the present Prime Minister’s for protection of Minorities and to take severe action against the culprits.