Demolition of Christian Houses in India Postponed

A government official in Orissa state in India has ordered the demolition of a Christian settlement on 4th June as part of a "beautification" campaign.

The district collector ordered the houses must be demolished within 48 hours despite calls of the residents. Residents urged her to "stop the inconsiderate expulsion of the poor people on the eve of the monsoon season."

The request was denied and even more, the police force was exerted to supervise the demolition.

However, "on June 6, the district collector's office passed an interim order to stop the demolition process until the monsoon season is over," the Rt. Rev. Aman Khosola, bishop of the Jeypore Evangelical Lutheran Church, told Compass.

District administrator, confirmed that the demolition was postponed, however, it will be carried out "sometime in November or December."

"The administration will look after the basic needs of the displaced residents," administrator added.

A senior administrative officer, who requested anonymity, pointed out to Compass that although there are illegal settlements all over Jeypore, the administration appeared to have singled out the Christian settlement for demolition.

Some in the Christian community believe that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu extremist group is standing behind the decision of demolition.

"The RSS held a paramilitary training camp from 2nd to 4th June in the town. This was presided over by the state minister of finance, Mr. Manmohan Samal, and the minister of water resources, Mr. Rabi Nanda," said Khosola.

On the site where the Christian settlement is, the government has planned to build a boating park to increase tourist activity. The plan was first announced in May; however the decision came later, on 4th June, after the training camp of RSS.

"The administration is trying to harass the minority Christian community," Khosola alleged. "Christians are living together in one place in Raja Nagar, which fundamentalist organizations do not seem to like. That’s why they are trying to displace and scatter them."

"Of course the land belongs to the state government, but they can easily find another site if they want to build tourism centre," said to Compass the Rev. Dr. D. B. Hrudaya, general secretary of the local chapter of the All India Christian Council.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India released a statement for the Catholic news agency Fides where it says "the order is a violation of the freedom and rights of these Indian families."

"We call on the government to guarantee and protect these rights and to take measures to halt the spread of fundamentalism promoted by the RSS."