Celebrations by Christians amidst attacks by fanatics
Celebration and suffering for a Christian always go together, because suffering and rejoicing, death and resurrection are very much inter-linked for him. Ultimately, his very salvation too depends upon it as he sincerely believes that his lord and savior Jesus Christ himself suffered, died an excruciating death on the cross, but in the end, rose again from the grave. That is the fundamental belief of a Christian, and so it is also the fundamental principle of all that he lives and dies for. Christ spoke the eternal truths for the whole of mankind, but human beings not yet ready for Christ’s liberating message, refuse to accept it and some even violently react against it. The Christians, his followers, who try to carry this good news, are attacked again and again all over the world for merely speaking about this fact and trying to enlighten their fellow human beings. And, in India too, these attacks have been occurring repeatedly in the recent years, depending upon the people, social and political conditions that prevail in a given state in the country, where the evangelists fearlessly try to carry the gospel message.

The growing radicalization, fundamentalism and extremism among our youth today, indeed necessitate an urgent re-emphasis of Christian principles of justice, peace and love. Though Christ is the savior of mankind, today Christ with his teachings, seem to have been simply abandoned by these youth. It is not a question of somebody giving up one’s religion and becoming a Christian, it is a serious matter of understanding and accepting those fundamental principles for the welfare of mankind, whatever religion one may hail from or belong to. When Christ or the universally relevant principles like his teachings are relegated to the background, or treated with scant respect, our society is bound to move in the wrong direction and our youth will begin to lose all important values of life. Unfortunately, these innocent youths, easily becoming the pawns in the hands of cunning people with their own vested interests, would begin to blindly attack Christians without any rhyme or reason, just because they are Christians. That really is a very retrograde step for the entire nation which would bring upon its curses of the innocent blood. What we need in India today for this ever developing nation is the blessings of God and not His curses. What happened in Orissa, in Mangalore and what is happening in a large number of other places in the country today are the result of that deterioration of moral values among our youth in India. However, the Christian community would continue with its work of charity, compassionate service and overall enlightenment of body, mind and soul, of even the last and the least of our fellow citizens, whatever the sacrifice demanded of them in fulfilling the mandate of their Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus.
Our Fellowship with the persecuted at Nandagiri in Orissa on 28th September 2011, and the other one at Hyderabad on 23-09-2011, has clearly demonstrated to the world at large, how Christians would ever continue to celebrate life without a break in the midst of fear of death and uncertainties. Every time we witnessed the stories of forgiveness of the ten widows gathered at Nandagiri, and the seven widows at Hyderabad, we marveled at its power to heal and to put the brakes on an unending cycle of pain. The vibrancy of joy and love, as shown by the widows and other victims of "hindutva bigotry” spread across the ambience of the love of Christ is indeed admirable. Who can ever forget the act of Mrs. Staines forgiving the cold-blooded murderers of her husband and the two little sons in Orissa! The sight of an innocent pastor in Madhya Pradesh bleeding from his down his whole body after an attack by the Hindu fanatics, telling the onlookers in front of his house, just not to worry, it is only his brothers, who became angry when he was telling them about Christ’s love for them and the whole of mankind.
Hundreds who attended the Fellowship Meeting at Hyderabad and Nandagiri were deeply hurt and pained to note that the Orissa government is not only delaying justice to the victims of pogrom against Christians in Orissa, but is also trying to deny it by default and apparent oversight. This is a terrible thing for the officials of the government functioning on behalf of their government, to resort to such inhuman tactics for whatever reasons. A cursory glance at the report from the State Authority regarding the implementation of the NHRC and other recommendations on attacks against Christians and their places of worship in Orissa, and pogrom against Christians, may perhaps look satisfactory to a novice, but a deeper glimpse and an objective analysis of the whole scenario, would make it abundantly clear to us that every attempt has been made by the State Government to camouflage the whole truth by concealing more than revealing by its equivocating and perfunctory replies made in a very guarded manner. May the good Lord forgive them and show them the right path, so that they can fulfill their tasks as government officials for the satisfaction of all, the government and the affected citizens, in keeping with the constitutional obligations.
The GCIC observed the Third Death Anniversary of the Kandhamal Martyrs to highlight and promote the achievements of human rights defenders, and it will again emphasize the primary responsibility which all the governments have to enable and protect the very necessary, relevant and significant role of the human rights defenders in the society. The day was also intended to inspire a new generation of defenders to speak up and to take action to end the discrimination in all its forms, whenever and wherever it is manifested.

The GCIC, as an organization, fights for human rights and religious freedom in the country as a whole, and the poor and the helpless victims always approach us, often with their harrowing experiences. The GCIC fights for the human rights defenders, and its representatives will speak out against abuse and violations, including discrimination,
exclusion, oppression and violence across India. These meetings are specifically meant to advocate justice and seek protection to the victims of human rights violations demanding accountability and transparency in government action.

Dr. Sajan K. George
National President
Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC)

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