Post Tagged with: "Kandhamal"

Kandhamal  online film festival from August 23 to 31

Kandhamal  online film festival from August 23 to 31

 The 14th Anniversary of Kandhamal Day is due on August 25, 2022. Though the violence continued for months, the main violence on the Christians took place during the last week of August, 2008.  Justice for the genocide of the Dalit Christians and Adivasi Christians is still not provided. Several organizations in Odisha and outside the state worked hard for this cause. [Read More…]

by 22/08/2022 Comments are Disabled Arts/Literature
Announcement seeking Nominations for Kandhamal Human Rights (KHR) Awards

Announcement seeking Nominations for Kandhamal Human Rights (KHR) Awards

The National Solidarity Forum (NSF) is pleased to announce the call for 2022 nominations for Kandhamal Human Rights Awards: Kandhamal Human Rights Award for Individual category- It carries a cash award of INR 25,000 and a Plaque Kandhamal Human Rights Award for Institutional category- It carries a Plaque and Citation attesting the works. About KHR Awards: The National Solidarity Forum has instituted these[Read More…]

by 13/07/2022 Comments are Disabled Human Rights
Reflections From Kandhamal

Reflections From Kandhamal

Ajaya Kumar Singh is one of the main strengths of the struggle for justice in Kandhamal. A well known human rights activist, Ajaya Kumar is a recipient of the Minority Rights Day Award from the National  Commission for Minorities (NCM). Through this interview, Rashida Nazria is documenting some of his reflections. Rashida: I have heard that your grandparents were Adivasis[Read More…]

by 10/07/2022 Comments are Disabled India
Documentary on Kandhamal by K.P Sasi released on YouTube

Documentary on Kandhamal by K.P Sasi released on YouTube

This year there was international outrage when a frail 84-year-old Jesuit priest with Parkinson’s disease, Stan Swamy, died after being held in an Indian jail in inhumane conditions, on flimsy charges. When he was eventually moved to hospital, he tested positive for Covid and went on to suffer a cardiac arrest. He had devotedly served the poor and defended their[Read More…]

by 17/09/2021 Comments are Disabled Arts/Literature, Editor's Picks
Kandhamal Day – Film Festival on Justice, Peace and Harmony

Kandhamal Day – Film Festival on Justice, Peace and Harmony

Human beings have suppressed, oppressed, mutilated, humiliated and neglected their own fellow human beings due to many reasons throughout history. There are economic, cultural, social and political reason for such human rights violations. One of the reasons for such human rights violations in India is on the basis of identity. People have been killed, abused, lynched, molested, raped and burnt.[Read More…]

by 22/08/2021 Comments are Disabled India
Kandhamal Human Rights Award Instituted

Kandhamal Human Rights Award Instituted

Preamble Every human being is born with intrinsic rights which recognise and protect her or his life and dignity. As civilization progressed,  and  specially with the formation of the  United Nations after World War II, many international charters and covenants were formulated to define and  codify these rights, and enjoin on member States to protect them. India with its plural[Read More…]

by 19/08/2021 Comments are Disabled Human Rights
Kandhamal Pogrom Remembrance: National Webinar On August 25

Kandhamal Pogrom Remembrance: National Webinar On August 25

Kandhamal is now deeply seared  into the collective memory of the Christian community in India. It is also now a part of Independent  India’s tragic list of hate-driven mass violence targeting religious minorities, Adivasis and Dalits by non-state actors enjoying extraordinary impunity. The malevolent violence in the  Kandhamal and adjoining districts of Odisha in 2007 and 2008 stands out for[Read More…]

by 19/08/2021 Comments are Disabled India
Kandhamal Day To Be Observed on 25th August

Kandhamal Day To Be Observed on 25th August

Remembering victims of targeted violence against Christian Adivasis and  Dalits, expressing solidarity with all victims of hate cand violence in India. NSF announces Kandhamal Human Rights awards for Activists and Groups The National Solidarity Forum has instituted two annual awards in honour of  the victims and survivors of the mass violence against Adivasi and Dalit Christians of  Kandhamal and several[Read More…]

by 12/08/2021 Comments are Disabled Communal Harmony
Film Screening On Kandhamal And Webinar

Film Screening On Kandhamal And Webinar

Pedestrian pictures weekend screening VOICES FROM THE RUINS: Kandhamal In Search of Justice directed by K P Sasi from 25th September 2020 Friday , 6 PM onwards. Please follow this link to watch the film. https://vimeo.com/461484394   Link will be active from 25th 6pm The link for the webinar – Lessons and Reflections from Kandhamal is given below Synopsis: The state[Read More…]

by 24/09/2020 Comments are Disabled Communal Harmony
Reclaiming Democracy, Defending Diversity: 12 Years of Kandhamal Genocide

Reclaiming Democracy, Defending Diversity: 12 Years of Kandhamal Genocide

National Solidarity Forum (NSF) Cordially Invites for National Webinar TWELVE YEARS OF KANDHAMAL MEMORIAL ‘RECLAIMING DEMOCRACY, DEFENDING DIVERSITY’ Date: 12th September 2020 Time: 4.30 pm to 7.30 pm Dear Friend, The National Solidarity Forum invites you to a National Webinar ‘Twelve Years of Kandhamal – Reclaiming Democracy, Defending Diversity’ on Saturday, 12th September 2020 to mark the 12th Anniversary of[Read More…]

by 08/09/2020 Comments are Disabled India
National Call of Action to Observe Kandhamal Memorial Day

National Call of Action to Observe Kandhamal Memorial Day

We hope you remember the diabolic attacks on christians in Kandhamal/Odisha in two consecutive years 2007 & 2008. Barely after eight days after celebration of Independence Day, India witnessed the organized communal attacks on Christians, the biggest in the history of India during the last three centuries, that spread to different parts of Odisha and other states. Over 395 churches[Read More…]

by 22/08/2020 Comments are Disabled Communal Harmony
Between Martyrs and Victims | K.P. Sasi

Between Martyrs and Victims | K.P. Sasi

The decision of the churches in India to declare the victims who were murdered during the genocide and persecution of the Christians in Kandhamal, needs to be recognised and welcomed. This decision is also giving strength to a community of persecuted Christians all over the country, especially after one decade of the largest attack on the Christian community in Kandhamal.[Read More…]

by 29/04/2019 Comments are Disabled India
A Catholic Priest Whose Father Was Forced To Convert To Hinduism

A Catholic Priest Whose Father Was Forced To Convert To Hinduism

Fr. Manoj Nayak, 44 years old, is one of the main leaders of the Kandhamal Survivors’ Association. After the major communal violence in Kandhamal in 2008, he has been involved in relief, rehabilitation, peace building and assisting the victims and survivors in the justice delivery process. During the Kandhamal violence, his house also was attacked and burnt. His family was[Read More…]

by 23/04/2019 Comments are Disabled Communal Harmony
Shanti Nagar rehabilitation  colony

Ten years of Kandhamal anti-Christian violence in Odisha

  I remember those days when the former prime minister of India late Atal Bihari Vajpayee had suggested for a national debate on conversion though our constitution, even then pointing that the practice of religion is a fundamental right. This was when, he was on an official visit to Dang, Gujarat on 10th January, 1999. Here,religious violence were taking place[Read More…]

by 07/11/2018 1 comment Communal Harmony
Kandhamal Never Again – Photo Essay

Kandhamal Never Again – Photo Essay

Communal genocide in Kandhamal in Odisha, which happened in 2008. Barely after eight days after celebration of Independence day, India witnessed the biggest organized communal attack against the Christians in the last few centuries. This year is is the tenth anniversary of Kandhamal violence. During this brutal invasion on the Christian community, around 393 churches and worship places which belonged[Read More…]

by 06/09/2018 Comments are Disabled Communal Harmony
Kandhamal: Justice and remembrance

Kandhamal: Justice and remembrance

We hope you remember the grave communal genocide in Kandhamal in Odisha, which happened in 2008. Barely after eight days after celebration of Independence day, India witnessed the biggest organized communal attack against the Christians in the last few centuries. Since 2009, people of Kandhamal and outside have been organizing 25th August as Kandhamal Day each year. This year on[Read More…]

by 25/08/2018 1 comment Communal Harmony
Kandhamal: Never Again

Kandhamal: Never Again

It’s been ten years since the sheltered calmness of the plateaus of Kandhamal witnessed one of the bloodiest episodes of communal violence unleashed on Christian minorities in India; since Dalits and Tribals found themselves under siege from mobs led by Hindutva fanatics. Dismembered limbs, axed bodies, rape, arson, razed churches, loot and terror plagued the district for months while the[Read More…]

by 22/08/2018 1 comment Communal Harmony
Decade of Kandhamal : Call for Action on Kandhamal Day August 25th, 2018

Decade of Kandhamal : Call for Action on Kandhamal Day August 25th, 2018

Dear Friends, We hope you remember the grave communal genocide in Kandhamal in Odisha, which happened in 2008. Barely after eight days after celebration of Independence day, India witnessed the biggest organized communal attack against the Christians in the last few centuries. Since 2009, people of Kandhamal and outside have been organizing 25th August as Kandhamal Day.each year This year[Read More…]

Kandhamal

Kandhamal

And when the dark clouds moved
In a sky that I could not reach
I took a shot
Of a sun
That has never risen.

by 16/11/2017 1 comment Communal Harmony
Conversation On Attacks On Religious Minorities In India Held On Kandhmal Day

Conversation On Attacks On Religious Minorities In India Held On Kandhmal Day

While activists across India observed August 25 as Kandhmal Day in commemoration of the victims of anti Christian pogrom in 2008, a conversation was held at the University of British Columbia (UBC) on growing attacks on religious minorities under Modi government. Held at the CK Choi Building in UBC, the conversation was between visiting journalist from India Rana Ayyub and[Read More…]

by 26/08/2017 1 comment Communal Harmony
Observe Kandhamal Day On August 25, 2017

Observe Kandhamal Day On August 25, 2017

70 years of freedom have passed. It is time for us to reflect on what it meant people of India – Dalits, Adivasis, minorities and other marginalised sections. Do we really have the moral strength to face another Kandhamal massacre in India? If not, it is too important that we remember and observe Kandhamal Day on August 25, 2017 and[Read More…]

by 15/08/2017 4 comments Communal Harmony
Kandhamal: Introspection Of Initiative For Justice

Kandhamal: Introspection Of Initiative For Justice

Violence is the bane of Indian society and a manifest agenda of communal forces, which thrive on divisive politics and polarization. This is part of their political agenda. While Hindu-Muslim violence during British period had a particular beginning and characteristics, the same violence became anti-Muslim violence after Independence. The major brunt of communal violence has been borne by Muslim community[Read More…]

“Who Killed Swamy Laxmananda?” 

“Who Killed Swamy Laxmananda?” 

The events in Kandhamal in 2008 shook the entire country.  The large number of tribal and Dalit Christians in this remote district of the then Orissa (now Odisha) state were subjected to months, even years of displacement, dispossession , death for a few and ‘forced conversion’ for those who remained, by the saffron forces which termed it ‘ghar wapsi’ or[Read More…]

Archbishop Raphael Cheenath, Champion Of Kandhamal Victims, Remembered

Archbishop Raphael Cheenath, Champion Of Kandhamal Victims, Remembered

Archbishop Raphael Cheenath who played pivotal role in bringing justice to the Kandhamal pogrom victims was remembered in a function in Delhi. Archbishop Emeritus Raphael Cheenath of Kandhamal passed away in Mumbai on 14th August 2016 after a brave struggle against cancer. He was 81. The Archbishop played major role in the people’s struggle for justice after the August 2008[Read More…]

by 29/08/2016 1 comment Communal Harmony
Kandhamal Day Observed For Peace, Justice And Communal Harmony

Kandhamal Day Observed For Peace, Justice And Communal Harmony

Kandhamal Nyaya Shanti O Sadvabana Samaj , an organisation of Survivors of Kandhamal violence observed 8th Kandhamal Day at Balliguda on 27th August with participation of about 15000 people. On this occasion a peace rally marched from mini-stadium Balliguda to Sub-Collector office and gathered in PWD square to observe the Day. Viswa Hindu Parishat attempted to stop the march at some places. Yet, it did not deter people to hold the march peacefully.

by 28/08/2016 1 comment Communal Harmony
Lessons From Kandhamal

Lessons From Kandhamal

Today is the 8th anniversary of Kandhamal pogrom. When we look back on one of the worst communal violence against Christian communities in the history of modern India, what lessons can be learnt? In 2015 August, I was in Kandhamal on the 7th anniversary of the Kandhamal pogrom. When I marched with a sea of people through the streets of[Read More…]

by 25/08/2016 Comments are Disabled Communal Harmony
Scorched Visions Of Kandhamal

Scorched Visions Of Kandhamal

Today is 8th anniversary of Kandhamal pogrom, one of the worst communal violences against Christians in India. On this occasion we are publishing an interview with renowned film maker K.P Sasi who has completed a documentary on the pogrom “Voices from the Ruins: Kandhamal in Search of Justice” Voices from the Ruins: Kandhamal in Search of Justice, the latest documentary[Read More…]

by 25/08/2016 1 comment Communal Harmony
Book On Kandhamal ‘A Wake-Up Call For The Nation’

Book On Kandhamal ‘A Wake-Up Call For The Nation’

 Investigative book ‘Who killed Swami Laxmanananda?’ authored by senior  journalist Anto Akkara, came in for wide acclaim at its release in Bangalore on July 23 with eminent jurist and former Advocate-General of Karnataka Ravivarma Kumar describing it as a ‘wake up call for the nation’. “The content of the book has grave implications for Indian democracy,’ remarked Kumar while releasing[Read More…]

by 26/07/2016 3 comments Communal Harmony
K.P Sasi’s “Voices From The Ruins” Depicts The Naked Reality Of Kandhamal: V.S Achuthanandan

K.P Sasi’s “Voices From The Ruins” Depicts The Naked Reality Of Kandhamal: V.S Achuthanandan

Speech given by V.S Achuthanandan, former Chief Minister of Kerala, inaugurating K.P Sasi’s documentary  “Voices From The Ruins, Kandhamal In Search Of Justice” in Trivandrum, Kerala on 19th July, 2016 K.P Sasi’s documentary “Voices From The Ruins, Kandhamal In Search Of Justice” raises some burning questions about the social reality of the present times. This documentary brings to us the[Read More…]

by 22/07/2016 Comments are Disabled Communal Harmony
 ‘Voices From The Ruins Of Kandhamal’ And Why I Cried After Watching The Film

 ‘Voices From The Ruins Of Kandhamal’ And Why I Cried After Watching The Film

Kandhamal is not a new subject to me. Countercurrents.org had published an article on 2nd November 2003 by Angana Chatterjee “Orissa: A Gujarat In The making”. It was five years before the worst communal violence against Christians in modern India happened in Kandhamal in 2008 in which 93 people were killed, over 350 churches and worship places which belonged to[Read More…]

Kandhamal Killings: Special Operations Group Should Be Prosecuted

Kandhamal Killings: Special Operations Group Should Be Prosecuted

SOG personnel who participated in the killing on five civilians near Gumudumaha village on July 8 be booked under provisions of the IPC including murder as well as relevant sections of the SC, ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and criminally prosecuted

by 20/07/2016 1 comment Human Rights
Innocent Blood Again Spilled In Kandhamal

Innocent Blood Again Spilled In Kandhamal

This is not the first time that innocent blood is being spilled in Odisha or in India in the name of containing Maoism. PUCL has consistently alerted the public that in the name of ‘encounters’ often innocent people are being killed by the security forces, and innocent poor Adivasis are being arrested after branding them as ‘Maoists’.

by 11/07/2016 1 comment Human Rights
Five Dalit/Adivasis Including A Child Killed In Fake Encounter In Kandhamal

Five Dalit/Adivasis Including A Child Killed In Fake Encounter In Kandhamal

In continuing war on its own people security forces in Kandhamal district of Odisha state in India killed six poor Adivasi and Dalit labourers. Four others have been seriously injured by CRPF firing in Malapanga forest under Tumudibandha police limits. They were returning from Balliguda ,( the block and Sub-Divisional head quarter of their village Gungudmaha under Parampanka G.P) with[Read More…]

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