NEW DELHI: The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) on Tuesday asked all Catholic educational institutions across the country to remain closed on Friday in protest against the attacks on the community in Orissa.  

Delhi Archbishop Vincent Concessao told journalists here that the Catholic community had nearly 25,000 educational institutions, making it the second largest educational provider in the country, second only to the state.  

The Archbishop said Christians were being targeted in Orissa for no fault of theirs despite the community in the State and elsewhere condemning the killing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Swami Lakshmanananda.  

He said Christians “are victims of a calibrated malicious campaign by certain unruly organisations, which take the law into their own hands.” 

VHP’s charge About the VHP’s charge that there was a link between Christians and Maoists, Archbishop Concessao said such linkages were being drawn just because the two work among and for the poor. Such falsehoods were being spread by communal organisations to foster hatred among communities.  

Richard Howell of the Evangelical Fellowship of India said Christians were considered soft targets because of the general perception that they would not retaliate. The National Commission for Minorities has asked the State government to submit a report on the violence against Christians. Describing the VHP leader’s murder as “most foul,” NCM members Michael Pinto and Zoya Hasan said this should not be an excuse to give vent to anger against another community. 

The Left parties and the All India Democratic Women’s Association condemned the attack on an orphanage in Bargarh district of Orissa.  

In a statement, the CPI(M) Polit Bureau said it was a reflection of the “fascistic mindset” of the Sangh Parivar organisations. Stating that the murder of Swami Lakshmanananda was condemnable, the CPI(M) said it was shocking that the Sangh Parivar used this as an opportunity to “further its violent agenda of attacking minority communities.”  

Demanding immediate action by the State government, the CPI(M) noted that the “communalists have been emboldened” because of the support being extended by the Bharatiya Janata Party, a coalition partner in the Orissa government.The CPI, in a statement, sought stern action from the State government and expressed concern over the targeting of a community by the VHP and Bajrang Dal.  

Ensure protection                              

Seeking the arrest of those who killed the VHP leader and attacked Christians, the AIDWA urged the government to ensure protection to all those vulnerable to attacks from the Sangh Parivar.