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Dear Friends,

We are writing to ask for your prayer, protest and provision in the aftermath of one of the worst weeks that Christians in India have ever experienced.

On Saturday 16 August, Father Thomas Pandippallyil was brutally murdered in Andhra Pradesh state, his body bearing the marks of at least eighteen stab wounds and submersion under water.  His eyes had also been gouged out.  Local Christians believe that the attack was religiously-motivated, but there are indications that the police have tried to whitewash the investigation, portraying it as a robbery.  Andhra Pradesh state has seen several murders of church leaders in recent years.  For further details, see our press release on this attack.

Then, on Sunday 24 August, there began an outbreak of widespread and severe anti-Christian violence in Orissa state.  So far, CSW has reliable reports of at least five people dead, with unconfirmed allegations that this number may now be much higher.  A nun has been gang-raped, and there has been widespread destruction of Christian churches and homes.  The extent of the damage has not yet been established, but already it could be worse than the violence which ravaged the Kandhamal district of Orissa over Christmas 2007, described at the time as “the largest attack on the Christian community in the history of democratic India”.

This violence followed the shock killing of Swami Lakhmananda Saraswati, the Hindu leader who is accused of inciting the Christmas 2007 attacks.  It is believed that violent Maoist insurgents, known in India as Naxalites, were responsible for the murder.  However, the extremist organisation Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), of which Saraswati was a figurehead, have responded by launching a devastating series of attacks against Christians, who have been made a scapegoat for the murder.  Security forces have been able to do little to stem the violence, and the Indian government needs to send a considerably larger force to protect the vulnerable Christians.

In response to both of these situations, we would firstly urge you to pray.  These attacks have highlighted the vulnerability of Christians in India, and we must express our love and solidarity by uplifting the whole Christian community of India in prayer.  In particular, please pray:

• For a proper investigation into the murder of Father Thomas and for God’s peace to rule in the hearts of those who were close to him;
• For peace to be restored to the ravaged state of Orissa, and for protection for those who are confronting the immediate threat of violence.

Secondly, we would ask you to protest.  The priority at the moment is to bring an end to the ongoing violence in Orissa, and to this end, please send the following statement to the Foreign Secretary, the Rt Hon. David Miliband MP:

Dear Foreign Secretary,
In light of the horrific communal violence which has broken out in Orissa state, India, and in recognition of the UK’s close relationship with India, I would like to politely request that you issue a statement as a matter of urgency, condemning the murder of Swami Lakhmananda Saraswati but calling on the Government of India to take immediate steps to protect the vulnerable Christian community which has been made a scapegoat for the killing, and subject to widespread attacks by extremist groups.
Thank you for your attention to this issue, which I hope will help to prevent the further loss of life in the state.
Yours faithfully,
<Your name here>

You can reach the Foreign Secretary on the following address:

The Rt Hon. David Miliband MP,
Foreign Secretary,
Foreign and Commonwealth Office,
King Charles St,
London SW1A 2AH

Thirdly, we would request that you provide encouragement to the Catholic community of Andhra Pradesh after the murder of Father Thomas, by sending letters of support to Archbishop Marampudi Joji, assuring him of your prayers.  You can reach him at the following address:

The Most Rev. Maramupudi Joji,
Archbishop of Hyderabad,
Archbishop's House,
9-1-17/1 Sardar Patel Road
Secunderabad,
500003 Andhra Pradesh
India

Thank you for your concern for those who are facing terrible persecution in India.

CSW Advocacy Team