By Matters India Reporter
Bhubaneswar: The documentary film, “Voices from the Ruins – Kandhamal in search of Justice” on the anti-Christian violence in Kandhamal in 2008 was screened on December, 18 at the Lohiya Academy in Bhubaneswar, capital of Odisha state.
The filmmaker and directed K P Sasi along with others were present during the screening, Dhirendra Panda, coordinator, National Solidarity Forum, told Matters India.
Kandhamal district in Odisha, eastern India, is mainly inhabited by Adivasis (indigenous) and Dalits (low caste people), among them a large population is Christians. A hate campaign against the Christians in Kandhamal started in the late 1960s by Hindu right-wing groups and sustained it for several decades culminating in violence on the Christian minorities in 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s.
The biggest violence on the Christians in modern India occurred in the district in 2008, resulting in the destruction of over 350 churches, displacement of over 56,000 people, destruction of over 6,500 houses, deaths of over 93 people and abuse of over 40 women, said Panda, the film event organizer.
“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,” said Panda, who is also convener, Civil Society Forum on Human Rights and secretary, Centre for the Sustainable use of Natural and Social Resources.
The 90 minute documentary with English subtitles 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.