The Congress and the Left on Wednesday condemned attacks on the Christian community in Orissa and demanded the state government take immediate steps to stop the violence.
Short of holding the Navin Patnaik government responsible for the violence the Congress and the Left demanded ?immediate measures? to protect minorities in the state.
A number of churches, houses and NGO offices in Baliguda, Daringibadi, Brahmanigaon and Phulbani were attacked on Tuesday following a reported attack on a VHP leader in the state. While the Left alleged that the ruling BJD’s coalition ally, BJP, is applying the ?same pattern? of violence against minorities used by it in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, the Congress said it is waiting for the state government?s report for initiating follow-up actions.
??The unfortunate incidents in Orissa are not good for the country or for any civilised society. The Congress demands from the Orissa government that it should take steps as soon as possible to stop the condemnable incidents,?? Congress spokesman Shakeel Ahmed said. ??The state government?s report is awaited. Sangh organisations are being named. BJP is the ruling party?s (BJD) alliance partner and hence fingers can be pointed at the government. So the matter should be looked at carefully,?? Ahmed said.