Swami Agnivesh condemned political parties for giving Manoj Pradhan, the prime accused in last year's ethno-communal riots in Kandhmal and currently behind bars tickets to contest the election in Orissa. His statement was made while he addressed the Fourth National Persecution Meet organized by the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) at the United Theological College in Bangalore today. The GCIC team celebrated “Life and Forgiveness” with 120 victims of religious persecution from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.
The victims included 33 widows of martyrs from the Kandhamal tragedy in Orissa. The programme commenced with the honouring of these brave widows from Orissa who have undergone extreme pain and agony and yet have forgiven their perpetrators.
Dr. Sajan K. George released an alternate election manifesto from the minority community of India to the rest of the voters of the nation. While releasing the manifesto he reminded the audience of the painstaking efforts of the makers of the constitution to decide that India should be a secular democracy. He reiterated that all Indians including minorities were share-holders of the country and not merely tenants on rent. The first copy of the manifesto was presented to Swami Agnivesh. (attached election Manifesto)
The keynote address was delivered by Swami Agnivesh, the President of the World Council of Arya Samaj and winner of the Right Livelihood Award (2004). Swami Agnivesh thanked the widows of the martyrs for washing away the ugly stain of religious hatred and violence with their tears. He highlighted Jesus’ message of forgiveness that has been echoed in the lives of many persecuted Christians especially Mrs. Staines, the widow of Graham Staines. He said true Christianity was not in books or churches but in the lives of ordinary people like the Kandhamal widows. Swami concluded by saying that crimes against minorities are crimes against humanity. While Swami Agnivesh commended the victims for their forgiving hearts, he asked them to allow the law to take its course and allow justice to be served. He informed the audience of the efforts of the leaders of various religious groups to come together and work in harmony for common social issues and peace in India.
Swami Agnivesh along with other dignitaries and institutions were honoured for their work in the field of human rights and among the poor. Bangalore Baptist Hospital, Bishop Sampath Kumar, Senior Pastor T. T. Joseph, Dr. A.G. Ashok and Ms. Evangeline Rajkumar were among those who were honoured. The Graham Staines International Award for Peace and Harmony was presented to Mrs. Nirmala Carvalho, a notable human rights activist and writer who voices the cry of the voiceless. Mrs. Karkare was also awarded the Graham Staines award in absentia.In conclusion, the gathering heard a testimony by Mrs. Digal, wife of the first martyr from Kandhamal, Jacob Digal. Following the moving account of her experience, the victims from Kandhamal led the gathering in a worship song and ended the programme.
The victims included 33 widows of martyrs from the Kandhamal tragedy in Orissa. The programme commenced with the honouring of these brave widows from Orissa who have undergone extreme pain and agony and yet have forgiven their perpetrators.
Dr. Sajan K. George released an alternate election manifesto from the minority community of India to the rest of the voters of the nation. While releasing the manifesto he reminded the audience of the painstaking efforts of the makers of the constitution to decide that India should be a secular democracy. He reiterated that all Indians including minorities were share-holders of the country and not merely tenants on rent. The first copy of the manifesto was presented to Swami Agnivesh. (attached election Manifesto)
The keynote address was delivered by Swami Agnivesh, the President of the World Council of Arya Samaj and winner of the Right Livelihood Award (2004). Swami Agnivesh thanked the widows of the martyrs for washing away the ugly stain of religious hatred and violence with their tears. He highlighted Jesus’ message of forgiveness that has been echoed in the lives of many persecuted Christians especially Mrs. Staines, the widow of Graham Staines. He said true Christianity was not in books or churches but in the lives of ordinary people like the Kandhamal widows. Swami concluded by saying that crimes against minorities are crimes against humanity. While Swami Agnivesh commended the victims for their forgiving hearts, he asked them to allow the law to take its course and allow justice to be served. He informed the audience of the efforts of the leaders of various religious groups to come together and work in harmony for common social issues and peace in India.
Swami Agnivesh along with other dignitaries and institutions were honoured for their work in the field of human rights and among the poor. Bangalore Baptist Hospital, Bishop Sampath Kumar, Senior Pastor T. T. Joseph, Dr. A.G. Ashok and Ms. Evangeline Rajkumar were among those who were honoured. The Graham Staines International Award for Peace and Harmony was presented to Mrs. Nirmala Carvalho, a notable human rights activist and writer who voices the cry of the voiceless. Mrs. Karkare was also awarded the Graham Staines award in absentia.In conclusion, the gathering heard a testimony by Mrs. Digal, wife of the first martyr from Kandhamal, Jacob Digal. Following the moving account of her experience, the victims from Kandhamal led the gathering in a worship song and ended the programme.
