New Delhi: Even as Sangh Parivar calls for a bandh in Orissa on December 25,a group of organisations comprising students, farmers, workers, teachers and social activists has initiated Christmas for Orissa campaign for peaceful celebration of the festival.

Over 700 campaigners, representing seven citizens groups of Orissa-based organisations, are seeking to make "peace and justice" the theme for this Christmas in the state.

"We will organise a special Christmas for Orissa by organising vigils and prayer meets," convener of the Christmas for Orissa Campaign, Joe Athialy, said.

There will also be such programmes outside Indian embassies and VHP offices abroad besides at many places within the country, he said.

Several churches, missionary-run schools, hostels and dispensaries in Kandhamal district were attacked by mobs after the killing of Laxamananda Saraswati.

"We are exploring a legal retaliation to the bandh call as well with a writ petition before the Supreme Court as it had banned bandhs through one of its orders earlier.

"However, if the bandh supporters remain undeterred we will give a call to people in Orissa to come out in its defiance and celebrate Christmas across the state," said M J Vijayan convener of the Delhi Solidarity Group -- a trust formed by some Delhi NGOs.

Activists of the Christmas for Orissa campaign said they intend to send out Christmas cards bearing the social message of Christmas to BJP and BJD leaders in the state.

Source : PTI