Christian Leaders Urged to study Mahapatra report on Kandhmal

New Delhi, 14 July 2009: – The Church leaders in India have out rightly rejected Justic S.C. Mahapatra’s interium report on violence in Kandhmal that took palce in 2007 and 2008. The report has sited “conversion and anti conversion ‘and obtaining “fake “caste certififcates by the ‘Pana Chriwtians’ as the main source of tension.

 

The Poor Christian Liberation Movement (PCLM) in a statement issued here  in the capital stated that it considers these charges  as a serious points of relfection and  urges the church leaders in India to study the report carefully rather than rejecting it by terming it as” one sided’ and “fictitious’. Mr. R L Francis, president, PCLM, has expressed surprise that why Mahapatra report has been painted in wrong colours by the Christians in India . This would send wrong message to the western Christain world.

 

The PCLM has drawn attention of the Church in India towards many other judgements and reports which were in favour of the Church. Does it mean that if an unfavourable report should be condemned “wrongl.” Such attitude would antogonise the imnpartial Indian judiciary, No doubt any government machinery would try to play down the seriousness of the incident but the PCLM has full faith in Indian judiciary.

 

The land issue which seems to be the bone of contention must be settled down to bring peace in the area. Obtaiining ‘fake’ certificates is a serious crime and the Church instead of suppressing the facts must voluntarily come forward for survey by an impartial agency.

 

The Poor Christian Liberation Movement (PCLM) has received some information that in the name of rehabilitation several Church groups have collected huge amount of money from foreign agencies. The PCLM demands that the Church should come out with a White Paper on their rehabilitation project in Kandhmal. To bring  long lasting peace  in Kandhmal Church must enter into dialogue with every section of the society as the Indians are not oppose to any particular religion but feel cheated by any dubious activities.

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