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BJP backs tribals accused of torching Christian houses

Bibhuti Mishra in Bhubaneswar

The BJP has taken up cudgels on behalf of the Hindu tribals of Ranalai village who have been arrested for allegedly torching 12 houses of Christians on March 16.

Oriya film star and BJP Vice-President Prashant Nanda said after a visit to the area that the tribals had not been sinned but were sinned against. Since there were only 40 tribal families and 200 Christian families, it was ridiculous to talk of the persecution of Christians, he said.

Allegations are being made that the Christians themselves torched their houses after removing the valuables and foodgrains to put the blame on the tribals. The chief minister has reportedly given a sympathetic hearing to the BJP demand that discrimination against Hindus be stopped.

Chief Minister Giridhar Gamang said after a visit to the spot that the Christians had started the trouble by throwing stones at the tribals but only two out of the 40 arrested were Christians. BJP leader in the assembly Bishwabhushan Harichandan said, "Under Congress rule, the Christians are protected, the Hindus persecuted." He pointed out that the Anjana Mishra case did not move Congress chief Sonia Gandhi but the alleged attacks on Christians made her remove former chief minister J B Patnaik.

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