India – A court in Orissa has been accused of having a “hidden agenda” after it released 54 Hindus linked to attacks during the 2007-08 outbreak of anti-Christian violence in the state.
Despite evidence implicating the suspects to the burning of a Baptist church and homes in the district of Kandhamal at Christmas 2007, the court cited a lack of evidence in ordering the end of the trial. The Global Council of Indian Christians condemned the move and issued a statement in which it called for action against apparent judicial bias in favour of Hindus.
“[The council] is shocked along with the victims that there is a hidden agenda by the prosecution to weaken the cases against arsonists and looters in Kandhamal riot. The Christmas attacks in Barakhama in the year 2007 were obvious and there were clenching evidence against the perpetrators,” the statement insisted. “GCIC urges the National Human Rights commission(NHRC) to take cognizance of the large scale infringement of freedom of Christians in Barakhama and to take suo motto investigation against the Orissa government officials involved in weakening the Kandhamal cases.”