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'Conversion, reconversion led to Kandhamal riots'

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Agencies

Posted: Jul 03, 2009 at 1617 hrs IST

Bhubaneswar Conversion and re-conversion were among the major factors which led to the riots in Orissa's Kandhamal district last year, a judicial commission probing the violence has said.

"Sources of the violence were deeply rooted in land disputes, conversion and re-conversion and fake certificate issues," Justice S C Mohapatra, heading the one-man panel, said in his interim report on the violence in Kandhamal which claimed 43 lives besides damaging many houses and churches.

He, however, did not elaborate on the conversions and re-conversions issue. "Suspicion among the scheduled tribe and scheduled caste inhabitants of Kandhamal is the main cause of riots with the tribals suspecting that 'Pano' dalits were capturing their land through fraudulent means," Justice Mohapatra said.

Besides the issues of land and conversion and re-conversion, Justice Mohapatra said fake certificates were another major factor that created discontent among Kandha tribals who constitute 52 per cent of Kandhamal's population.

Justice Mohapatra, who submitted the interim report on July 1, said the government should take steps immediately to remove differences between the communities.

"I know it will take at least two years to complete inquiry, but interim report will help the government to make immediate intervention," he said.

Justice Mohapatra said in his 28-page report that most Kandha tribals were uneducated and were under the impression that quotas meant for them were being availed of by 'Pana' Dalits, who were Christians.

This was another factor behind tribal anger, he said suggesting the state government expedite freeing of tribal land in possession of non-tribals, take up fake certificate cases and remain vigilant to conversion and re-conversion.

"Once the basic issues are addressed, the Kandhamal problem could be solved," he said.

Replying to a question, Justice Mohapatra said he had not blamed anybody for the violence in the interim report.

Sources, however, said the commission which was set up on September 3 last year could fix responsibility for the violence on any organisation or government body.

In the interim report, Justice Mohapatra had not blamed any religious body or the CPI (Maoist) which claimed responsibility for killing of VHP leader Laxmananda Saraswati on August 23 last year.

Killing of Saraswati and four of his associates had triggered large-scale violence in Kandhamal which evoked condemnation from many quarters in the country and abroad.

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Adivasi and Dalits have every rights of converting to faith of their choice...... by kranti on 03 Jul 2009

For thousands of years Adivasis and Dalits have been oppressed,exploited and treated like animals by so called civilised,PURE high caste Hindus.These depressed and oppressed people have every rights of converting to faith or religion where they can get respect and dignity.

Proud HIndu by Hindu on 03 Jul 2009

Its only conversion .Reconversion is coz of conversion.How long

How dare one say by Ram on 03 Jul 2009

How dare Justice Mohapatra dare say that Conversion leads to communal violence ? We are ruled by the Romans, did you forget the fact before you presented the findings ? COnversion in large scale is the gift of Congress to the Indian civilisation. In Andhra, they never complained and allowed Andhra Pradesh to become CHrista Pradesh and even Lord Balaji is just an onlooker.

sanghi, by demolishing Mosque or burning Churches you are spoiling our Hindu image by DR.PETROL PUMP CHOR on 03 Jul 2009

Just like LeT or Al-Qaida the Sanghparivar has openly incited hatred within our society by misusing our Hindu Dharma and Hindu name.Because of these sorts our Hindu names have been tarnished all around the world.We were otherwise known for our tolerence and openmindedness. Their slogan 'ek dhaka aur do masjid ko tod do' and the riots in Kandamal has clearly told us that the Sanghparivar outfits are photocopies of Al-Qaida, because their aim and objects are to create disharmony within the people in order to divide them from all sides, and also in order to gain votes.

Appeasement even in the Judicial report.. God only can save us..!! by Chandra SG on 03 Jul 2009

Re-conversion is a reaction to Conversion...By saying Conversion and Re-conversion is problem for riots the judicial report is trying to appease the minority..Why would there be re-coversion if there is no conversion in the first place...!!!I'd have been happy... if the report plainly said... that "Conversions are the root cause for Kandhamal voilence..." Wait wait..... ok then this is nothing but.. what RSS and BJP has been saying all these years...!!

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