By Augustine Singh

Kanjamendi, September 2, 2019: More than 150 leaders of Kandhamal and other parts of Odisha attended the memorial day of the persons martyred during 2007 and 2008 anti-Christian Kandhamal violence.

Men and women from all denominations and other communities gathered at Catholic Church, Kanjamendi, on August 31 for the 11th year of the persecution of Christians in Kandhamal district.

Leaders from various Christian denominations organized the event.

Kandhamal violence was the worst anti-Christian attacks in India’s history.

“Respect your history, then development will be possible. The dark and shameful incident should not be allowed to recur in the history of Odisha,” Abhiram Mallick, the chief speaker, emphasized.

He continued, “Caste system in India has adversely affects every community. One needs to be broadminded, being respectful to other person and community.”

Klesa Pradhan, a political leader while appreciating the gathering and prayer service in memory of the martyrs, urged, “A day could be decided upon to honor the persons who sacrificed their lives for the sake of faith in Christ. That day in every village or center the anniversary could be observed meaningful manner.”

Jugal Kishore Ranjit, human rights activist, reminded the participants of the present situation and the legal justice status after the violence.

Some eminent persons present among others were Martin Pradhan, Bank Manager, Professor Prasna Bishoyi, and Fathers Chitranjan Nayak, Kulakant DS, Manoj Nayak and Jayant Ranasingh.

Sushila Digal, a victim-survivor, shared “I am glad for this prayer meeting. I feel my husband who was killed is honored.”

“It was consoling for me and for my other friends who also lost their husbands and relations,” she said.

John Barik, another survivor opined, “Observing the anniversary of the violence needs to be continued with the cooperation from every community, in order to bring back the glory of peaceful Kandhamal back.”

Violence against the Christians of Odisha erupted in Kandhamal district with untold savagery, ‎with ‎Hindu ‎right-wing groups blaming Christians for the August 23, 2008, murder of Hindu ‎leader ‎Swami ‎Laxmanananda Saraswati, despite Maoist rebels claiming the assassination.

More than 100 people were killed and at least 56,000 displaced.

According to local sources, although over 3,300 complaints were made to the police, only 727 cases went to trial in fast-track courts, where more than 88 percent of the accused were acquitted.