Politics of the Orissa Violence

Cady Barrett
11 September 2008
Religious Conflicts

Two weeks after the murder of VHP leader Swami Lakshmananda Saraswati and India is facing serious religious conflict problems. Now that it is truly becoming an issue of major violence, the politics of the situation are coming out.

The violence is occurring in the Kandhamal district of Orissa, otherwise known as God's own country. Orissa has 62 different tribal communities, which make up 22% of the total population. The original inhabitants are mostly aborigines and the rest are settlers from the Chhotanagpur belt region. The district has six lakh people who are mainly Hindu tribals. The other half of the population are the Christian Dalit Panas. They make up 70% of the 150,000 Christians living in the community.

In these tribes there has always been conflict, but it has been intensified by the introduction of organized religion. The majority of the indigenous peoples practiced a form of paganism for many years, involving the worship of nature. With the illiteracy rate so high, many of those being converted to Christianity or Hinduism have little to no understanding of what they are worshiping or doing. They believe everything that is being said to them, even words of hate towards the other tribes or religions. The tribes also don't have strong leaders that are not just religious leaders. Which in turn opens them up for exploitation. Economic envy has also played a large role in the violence. Historically the Christians have been significantly more wealthy than the Hindus in the district.

I'm glad I came across this article because it has shown me the political dynamics of the situation in India. Understanding why the violence is occurring is essential in trying to alleviate it.



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