National People's Tribunal Report on violence against Christians in Kandhamal, Orissa

August 26, 2010

National People’s Tribunal Report on violence against Christians in Kandhamal, Orissa

In August 2008 radical Hindutva groups unleashed an orgy of violence against the Indian Dalit Christians and Adivasis in Kandhamal district of Orissa state in India.

Included below is the report of the National People’s Tribunal which included several prominent activists and headed by Mr. A.P. Shah, former Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court. The eminent jury of the tribunal heard from 43 survivors and released a report on Aug 24, 2010.

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NATIONAL PEOPLE’S TRIBUNAL ON KANDHAMAL

JURY’S PRELIMINARY FINDINGS & RECOMMENDATIONS

24 AUGUST 2010

The National People’s Tribunal (NPT) on Kandhamal, held in New Delhi on 22-24 August 2010, was organized by the National Solidarity Forum – a countrywide solidarity platform of concerned social activists, media persons, researchers, legal experts, film makers, artists, writers, scientists and civil society organizations to assist the victims and survivors of the Kandhamal violence 2008 to seek justice, accountability and peace and to restore the victim-survivors’ right to a dignified life.

The jury of the NPT was headed by Justice A.P. Shah, former Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court. Joining him as jury members were Harsh Mander (member of National Advisory Council), Mahesh Bhatt (film maker and activist), Miloon Kothari (former UN Special Rapporteur on Right to Housing), P. S. Krishnan (retired Secretary, Government of India), Rabi Das (senior journalist based in Bhubaneswar), Ruth Manorama (women and dalit rights activist), Sukumar Muralidharan (Delhi-based free lance journalist), Syeeda Hameed (member of Planning Commission, Government of India), Vahida Nainar (expert on international law, mass crimes and gender), Vinod Raina (scientist and social activist with a specific focus on right to education), Admiral Vishnu Bhagwat (former Chief of Naval Staff) and Vrinda Grover (advocate, Delhi High Court).

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Read the full report: NATIONAL PEOPLE’S TRIBUNAL ON KANDHAMAL – JURY’S PRELIMINARY FINDINGS & RECOMMENDATIONS

Read IMC-USA’s statements on the issue:

1. Press Statement RELEASED Aug 25, 2010:
Indian American Muslim group calls for speedy justice for Kandhamal victims on the second anniversary of violence

2. Press Statement RELEASED Aug 28, 2008:
IAMC expresses alarm at anti-Christian violence in Orissa; demands the State and Central governments to act immediately

3. Press Statement RELEASED Dec 27, 2007:
IAMC condemns destruction of churches in Orissa