The Hindu extremist group Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Lakshmanananda Saraswati and four of his associates were killed on August 23 in Orissa. Maoist guerillas are suspected by Indian police, however the extremists turned their anger to Christians. Up to September 28, the toll of anti-Christian violence stands at 300 villages destroyed, 4,300 houses burnt, 18,000 injured and 50,000 made homeless in Orissa alone. Churches have also been damaged or attacked in Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Tamail Nadu.

 

Hence, the majority of attacks on Christians are directed against the formerly low-caste converts such as the Dalits of Orissa. The combination of these two identities brings insecurity to the extreme religious parties about the lower castes trying to break free from the caste system. In mid-September, some 15,000 Christians protested against impunity for Hindutva extremists at a massive rally at Andhra Pradesh, organized by the All India Council. Leaders from all political parties, together with Sikhs, Buddhists, progressive Hindus and Muslims, participated and expressed solidarity and support for the victimized Christians.

 

In Hong Kong, Indians are our neighbors, friends, colleagues and classmates. They may have relatives in India where the on-going violence is taking place. In pursuit of religious freedom and human dignity, a Candle Light Vigil will be held in cooperation with Christian Solidarity Worldwide Hong Kong, Hong Kong Christian Institute, Spiritual Seekers Society and Justice and Peace Commission of the Hong Kong Catholic Diocese