Open Doors USA Encourages the Public to Help...Send Email to Indian Ambassador Now
Contact: Jerry Dykstra, Media Relations Director, Open Doors USA, 616-915-4117, jerryd@odusa.org
SANTA ANA, Calif., Sept. 23 /Christian Newswire/ -- The violence against Christians by radical Hindus in India continues to spread.
While the state government says 24 people, mostly Christians, have died in the Orissa state violence, the All India Christian Council (AICC) maintained that 45 Christians were confirmed dead and five more were still missing, according to Compass Direct News.
According to the AICC, 14 districts of Orissa witnessed violence with Kandhamal as the epicenter. It reported at least 50,000 people from 300 villages have been affected by the violence, with hundreds still hiding in forests, and 4,000 houses and 115 churches burned or destroyed. Another source reports 20,000 people have been displaced, most of them huddled into squalid refugee camps.
The violence began following the assassination of a VHP leader and icon of Hindu nationalism, Laxmanananda Saraswati, and four of his disciples in Orissa's Kandhamal district on Aug. 23. Although Maoists claimed responsibility for the murder, the VHP put the blame on local Christians, saying they killed him because he was resisting conversion of Hindus to Christianity.
Given the ongoing violence against Christians and the lack of an adequate and decisive response of the authorities to protect the Christians, Open Doors is holding the Indian government accountable. Open Doors is urging the government to do its utmost to restore peace and stability in the region. Open Doors is also asking supporters to join in a advocacy campaign to help the thousands of suffering Christians in Orissa.
Open Doors is asking supporters to Email the Indian Ambassador to the U.S. Ronen Sen to ask him to provide adequate protection for Christians in Orissa and to ensure justice and compensation to the victims of the violent attacks.
You can send an email to Indian Ambassador Sen by going to www.OpenDoorsUSA.org.
"As the violence against Christians in Orissa and other parts of the country continues to increase, believers in the United States need to stand in solidarity with fellow Christians in India," said Lindsay Vessey, Advocacy Program Manager for Open Doors USA. "We need to let the Indian government know that it will be held accountable for the protection of Christians against more violence. Please consider sending an Email to the Indian ambassador today."
Open Doors, working with a partner in India, has launched a preliminary relief effort in Orissa. Open Doors is providing clothing, towels, soaps and shampoo. Due to Indian government restrictions, Open Doors is not able to provide food. However, Open Doors is providing medical assistance to several people who were badly injured in the violence.
An estimated 100 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with millions more facing discrimination and alienation. Open Doors supports and strengthens believers in the world's most difficult areas through Bible and Christian literature distribution, leadership training and assistance, Christian community development, prayer and presence ministry and advocacy on behalf of suffering believers. To partner with Open Doors USA, call toll free at 888-5-BIBLE-5 (888-524-2535) or go to our Website at www.OpenDoorsUSA.org.
(For more information or to set up an interview, contact Jerry Dykstra at 616-915-4117 or email jerryd@odusa.org).
