Author: Tannu Sharma
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: October 21, 2008
URL: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/orissa-govt-blames-violence-on-kandhaspanas-discord/375837/
Almost two months into the continuing spate
of violence in Kandhamal, the Orissa Government on Monday submitted before
the Supreme Court that the genesis of the violence lay in the "age-old
ethnic divide and discord between the Kandhas (a Scheduled Tribe) and Panas
(a Scheduled Caste) in the state".
In response to a petition filed by the Archbishop
of Cuttack, the Naveen Patnaik Government said, "There are long standing
disputes between the Kandhas and Panas on issues arising out of land alienation
and certain other perceived discriminations. The Kandhas perceive and nurture
grievances that large number of Panas have illegally usurped their rightful
entitlement of reservation benefits under the ST category by illegally claiming
ST certificates."
The submission before the apex court is on
the line of what the Chief Minister had said at the recent National Integration
Council meeting in New Delhi. While speaking about the clashes, he had referred
to the "conflict of interests between the two communities," apparently
giving a clean chit to Bajrang Dal activists, who are alleged to be behind
the attacks on Christians.
The affidavit by Tarun Kanti Mishra, principal
secretary, Government of Orissa, also blames "religious conversions"
for being instrumental in the outbreak of violence. "The ethnic divide
between the Panas and Kandhas got accentuated on religious lines due to conversion
of large number of Panas to a different religious community".
According to the affidavit, it was in this
backdrop of "mutual distrust and animosity" that the peace was shattered
by the brutal murder of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati. The state Government
affidavit also reiterates that there's no need for handing over the probe
into the nun rape case to the CBI.
The Orissa Government also maintains its stance
of not granting any compensation to demolished churches in these attacks.
Rejecting the Archbishop's plea seeking Rs 3 crore compensation for demolished
churches, the affidavit says, "It is against the secular policy of the
state to pay any compensation to religious institutions." The affidavit
will be taken up for hearing on Tuesday.
