Other States - Orissa   

Bajrang Dal rejects probe report on violence

BHUBANESWAR: The Bajrang Dal on Sunday rejected report of National Commission for Minorities (NCM) saying the commission had pre-decided what the shape of its report on communal violence in Orissa’s Kandhamal district could be.

“The commission ignored the ground realities. It prepared the report sitting at the district headquarter town of Phulbani. Though the commission claimed to have held consultations with a number of stakeholders, it had already made up its mind on shape of report before coming to the State,” Subhash Chahuan, all India Co-convenor of Bajrang Dal, said addressing a press conference here.

Criticising the commission for allegedly taking a one-sided view on the violence, Mr. Chahuan said, “the commission has been constituted to safeguard interest of minorities. But in Brahmanigaon, one of the worst hit villages of Kandhamal district, Hindus are minorities, why did the commission ignore views of victims of the village.”

Hindu families in the Brahmanigaon were yet to return to their houses fearing attack from Christian communities, the Bajrang Dal leader said.

The two-member NCM team, comprising Dillip Padgaonkar and Zoya Hassan, had visited the riot-hit district of Orissa and prepared the report. The commission had said Christian community was largely attacked in the violence and termed rioting “pre-planned.”

“The commission was influenced by powerful Communists who are part of the UPA Government. The report was a reflection of pre-decided agenda of Communists and missionary groups,” Mr. Chahuan said.

He alleged the root cause behind the problem was conversion. “Orissa Freedom of Religion Act (OFRA) should be made more stringent and strictly implemented,” the Bajrang Dal demanded.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Nothing to hide, says Minister
School functions held
Girl dies in suicide pact
Ganjam lawyers to continue agitation for HC benches
Of the music of the words
Bajrang Dal rejects probe report on violence
Pistols seized
Mayawati hits campaign trail
Nobel gesture
“Politicians responsible for rise in naxalism”
Vigilance drive against graft fetches Rs. 13.33 cr
Two beaten up by Maoists
Dying dance forms add colour to Yatra
Top honours for State students
State support to broom-sellers sought

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu