IN FOCUS

The above in translation will read, "First the butchers (read Muslims) and then the Christians.

In the states that have witnessed anti-Christian violence in the recent past, there is one common thread that runs through - the involvement of
organizations and groups related to the Sangh Parivar and the tacit support of the respective state governments.

This is most blatant is the case of Orissa, where Hindu fundamental organisation have been involved in anti-minority mobilizations for over two
decades now and have seized upon the opportunity provided by the murder of Swami Laxmananda Saraswathi to launch their present violent crusade.

As one commentator observed, "whether the swami was killed by Maoists or others was not the issue. The murder became the occasion for a Hindu explosion over an issue that is hardly ever addressed in polite circles, the conflict between the Church and indigenous faiths".

What exactly is this conflict, we are not told. But are told that the 'explosion of Hindu resentment' - like the `every action has equal and opposite reaction' logic of Modi to explain the genocide in Gujarat - is the basic reason for the orgy of violence that is going on at present in Orissa.

The statement by Bajrang Dal State President Mahendra Kumar warning Christians against protesting against these attacks is more forthcoming. He said: "Christians should not feel hurt by the attacks. If they do, we will conclude that they support the kind of institutions that have been involved in conversion of Hindus to Christianity. Then, we will be left with no option but to take action." This applies not just to the Christian protestors, but to all who protest or apposed to such violence.

Reports from Orissa suggest that the violence which erupted on the night of August23-24 has not stopped completely. The government and the  law enforcing authority stand mute and the ground level situation continues to remain in the hands of the storm troopers of the Hindutva brigade, who will no doubt continue with their mayhem.

What is happening in Orissa is not just another communal riot, caused by some local differences between the members of two communities. It is part of a larger plan of which Gujarat was the first expression.