Indian Christians Left In Slums, While Told 'Return Only As Hindus'

July 30, 2009

Author: Anto Akkara

Source: Ecumenical News International

http://www.eni.ch/featured/article.php?id=3225

Indian officials say that a troubled and remote area of the northeastern Orissa state that witnessed widespread sectarian violence aimed at Christians a year ago, is now normal, with less than a thousand people left in relief camps. 

But those who fled the violence in Kandhamal in August 2008, say they have been told by those who drove them from their homes, that the price of return is conversion to Hinduism. 

Thousands of Christians have left dingy relief camps in Kandhamal, but many say they can not re-enter their villages due to threats they say they face from Hindu extremists. Now they live in rented urban houses which they say are nothing more than slums.