Orissa Christian leaders take exception to US report

Bhubaneswar, Aug 14 (PTI) Taking exception to a report by
a US panel on global religious freedom placing India on the
'Watch List' for Kandhamal violence, Christian leaders in
India's eastern state of Orissa Friday said the majority
community has been "extremely cordial" to them.

Minorities in India have been targets of hate campaign by
a small section, "but the civil society of the majority
community has been extremely cordial and supportive of the
minority community in the state," Orissa Minority Forum (OMF)
President Swarupananda Patra said.

His remarks came in the wake of a statement made by the
United States Commission on International Religious Freedom
that India was placed on the 'Watch List' due to "disturbing
increase" in communal violence there.

Though a few 'criminal elements' created problems for the
minority community during the riots, the secular fabric of the
society was intact, Patra said.

Another organisation Orissa Secular Front said riots in
2002 in Gujarat and Kandhamal in 2008 were painful but could
not be generalised to embarrass the strong secular foundation
of India.

The Christian leaders also pointed out that they have
initiated the process of peace and harmony to strengthen
brotherhood among communities forgetting the violence that
took place after the killing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)
leader Laxmanananda Saraswati last year. PTI SKN
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