Violence in India Is Fueled by Religious and Economic Divide

Chambria N. Brawley
9:18 am

It was reported last week that the violent uprisings between Hindu and Christian natives were under control and normal conditions would soon resume. As a follow up to last week’s story, “India Says Hindu-Christian Clashes Under Control,” there was a report issued out of Tiangia, India, on Wednesday that conditions are still dire and the violence has yet to cease. The death toll has risen, roughly 1,400 homes of Christians have been demolished, at least 80 churches or prayer houses have fallen subject to arson, and at least 13,500 individuals are confined to refugee camps at the moment. The article also gives mention of the placement of barricades along roads that led into the village which consisted of trees and small boulders; it was these barricades that prevented police intervention for a full day. Since the police have made little progress in controlling the tensions in Orissa, military troops were sent in as reinforcements on Tuesday. Orissa’s government fell subject to the Indian Supreme Court on Wednesday, and daily reports are to be submitted concerning what is being done to gain control of the area.

The genesis of the Hindu-Christian conflicts date back to nearly a century ago. The onset of this rampage in Orissa came at the stake of the death of Laxmanananda Saraswati, who was linked to a radical Hindu group which opposed the conversion of Hindus to Christianity. The article stated however, that it is believed that his death was an inside job, but the blame was purportedly placed in the Christian community. The Hindu opposition toward Christians stems from better economic and educational attainment provided by Christian missionaries; especially those of lower class or caste systems. Followers of the Hindu faith see Christianity as a mere persuasion to economic gains.

The opposition between native Hindu and Christian residents is likely to never cease because there will always be underlying opinions and pure hatred directed in one way or another. It’s amazing how much more could be accomplished if two groups could be unified, not as a religion, but as individuals of an Indian society. Until it is perceived as a problem, few efforts will be focused in that direction and until the Indian people see a need to bring about change, they will remain a divided nation.



http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/04/world/asia/04christians.html?em