Bhubaneswar: Increase in compensation of Kandhamal survivors and setting up a minority commission were among six demands the head of the Catholic Church in Odisha made to state Chief Minister Navin Patnaik.
Archbishop John Barwa of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar met Patnaik in his office on October 19. The Divine Word prelate first went to the chief minister’s residence to meet him, but was told to meet the chief minister in his office.
Other demands include a burial place and a community hall for use by all Christian denominations in Kandhamal. The prelate also wants teachers appointed to government-aided schools and colleges that are under the Church management. He also sought English medium school in tribal areas of Kandhamal.
Debasis Mohanty, who represents Cuttack in the Odisha legislative assembly, facilitated the meeting between Archbishop Barwa and Patnaik.
The chief minister has agreed to look into the demands.
Archbishop Barwa’s memorandum notes that many survivors of the 2008 anti-Christian violence remain homeless even after seven years because of the compensation provided by the administration was insufficient to build homes.
As many as 5,600 houses in 415 villages were looted and burned during the violence that began on August 24, 2008 and lasted four more months. The mayhem claimed more than 90 lives and reduced to ashes 395 churches and places of worship. Nearly 56,000 people became displaced and destitute.
Archbishop Barwa urged Patnaik to take steps to restore peace in Kandhamal district and mete out justice to the Kandhamal survivors.
The prelate regrets that many welfare schemes and programs of the federal and state governments have failed to reach the poor and minority groups because of the absence of a minority commission in Odisha. “Establishment of State Minority Commission is the need of the hour to facilitate the schemes and programs more effectively,” he adds.
The prelate’s application wants the government to provide land and necessary funds to build the community hall. The burial ground is for the state capital of Bhubaneswar that has some 20,000 Christians. However, the city has only one burial ground which is already crowded, Archbishop Barwa’s application says.
He also noted that patients from Odisha as well as neighboring states of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and West Bengal are brought for treatment to Bhubaneswar.
The application also notes that many teachers in the Church-managed aided schools and colleges have retired creating huge vacancies. He urged the chief minister not only to appoint teachers but also help renovate the educational institutions.
Archbishop Barwa also notes “an urgent need” for English medium schools in the tribal populated areas of Kandhamal, Gajapati and Sundarghar districts. He says the Church could manage those institutions as it has the experience of experience and expertise. The Church manages several schools and colleges in cities such as Bhubaneswar, Cuttackand Rourkela.