TinderBox of HATRED

With Hindutva forces unleashing organised violence, the tribal regions of Orissa are ready to explode

Bibhuti Pati Kandhamal

After the latest round of violence, Kandhamal district, with its mix of tribal, Dalit, Hindu, Christian, rich and poor communities, stands on a volcanic threshold that can explode anytime yet again. Despite the Centre's ‘advisory' to the BJD-BJP-led government and Supreme Court's strict directions, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik seems unconcerned, even while attacks on Christians increase by the day. The social and religious divides have sharpened while thousands have been rendered homeless and without hope or sustenance. There seems to be a bigger political conspiracy behind this organised and violent campaign.

Meanwhile, the land lies ravaged. "Kandhamal is a tribal dominated district with more than 60 per cent of the population depending solely on forest produce. Valuable forests have been depleted. Streams are polluted. The availability of minor forest produces are on the decline," said Himanshu Satpathy, a retired forest ranger.

In the first phase of attacks, which continues, victims of the violence spent their nights in dense jungles. For them, mobs baying for blood, inspired by the RSS-VHP-Bajrang Dal, are more dangerous than wild animals. "We start going into the forests around 4 pm every day and return in the morning. We have forgotten how to sleep and are surviving on whatever food is available," said Ramesh Digal of Kasinipadar village. Their experience is not new.

Eight months ago, a similar communal eruption had thrown life out of gear in this backward region, "At that time, we had to spend the wintry nights in the open. The only good thing this time is that nights are not chilly," Ramesh added. That is hardly a consolation, with the violence already accounting for several lives, demolishing dozens of village churches, three temples and hundreds of dwellings.

The administration's fake measures notwithstanding, it is people like John Digal and George Digal of Dimiriguda village, Laxmidhar Nayak, a gram panchayat extension officer at Phiringia, Laba Digal of Kasinipadar and Pratap Nayak of Kekringia village and hundreds of others for whom return of peace cannot restore normalcy. John and George's pucca houses have become unlivable; Laxmidhar's savings to marry two of his four daughters have turned into ashes; Laba has lost his house, bicycle shop and chicken farm, and Pratap's dwelling has been gutted.

Villagers at Phiringia in Kandhamal are yet to come to terms with the killing of Gayadhar Digal. Why him? A villager whispered, "He practiced Christianity for sometime. But of late, he was back in the Hindu fold. Maybe those in the mob, who we believe were from nearby areas, did not know that." "The situation in Kandhamal is such that Christians have started claiming to be Hindus to escape the frenzy. It is difficult to ascertain the religious affiliation of many people. Besides, even after embracing Christianity, many chose to continue as Hindus in official records to get SC or ST benefits," said a police inspector.