Bhubaneshwar: Christian organisations wanted to organise a mela (fair) on the roadside and install statues of Jesus and Mary in Brahmanigaon on Christmas eve. The Hindus were opposed to this. Swami Laxmananda Saraswati, a revered local VHP leader who has been thwarting alleged attempts by missionaries to convert tribals to Christianity, urged the Christian organisations not to go ahead with the fair.

He even visited Brahmanigaon on December 9 to personally persuade them against the organisation. The Christians nevertheless decided to go ahead with the fair and erected a mandap. They even installed statues of Mary and Jesus at a place considered sacred by Hindus, who would hold Dusserra puja at the site a few years ago. On December 24 morning, a few members of the Christian community opened shops and began playing songs on loudspeakers at the fair site. Incidentally, at the same time, the Kui samaj (tribals who are Hindu sympathisers) called for a two-day bandh on December 25-26 against the government’s move to accord tribal status to Panas (SCs).

Most Panas in Kandhamal are converted Christians. Five-six members of the Kui community and a few Hindus urged the Christians to shut shops and stop playing songs on loudspeakers, but their requests were ignored and they were beaten up. Hearing this, Swami Laxmananda started for Brahmanigaon with his bodyguards. But he was allegedly attacked by Christians near Dhasinga. The news spread like wild fire and triggering violence. Kuis and Hindus allegedly supported by the VHP and Bajrang Dal burnt down a few churches in nearby areas and ransacked the fair mandap. Miscreants also set afire a number of churches in Bodagan, Baliguda, Kamapada, Mandipanka, Jhinjiriguda, Ulipadaro, Goborkutty and Kulipkai.

Source : DNAIndia