“We are going through a very dangerous phase. To overcome this situation is a grave challenge for all of us. After the [Kandhamal] incident, the Christians were the first ones to condemn [the incident], yet they were the ones who were targeted, tortured and burnt alive. The entire truth must be revealed in order to save the Constitution, democracy, humanity and the nation,” said social activist Swami Agnivesh.
He was speaking on Thursday during the launch of the Hindi translation of the book Who Killed Swami Laxmanananda? by journalist Anto Akkara. The book is based on the 2008 Kandhamal carnage in Odisha.
Speaking at the event marking the 10th anniversary of the incident, Mr. Agnivesh said, “Despite the carnage, lies were spread that the incident was a communal one. After today’s book titled Who Killed Swami Laxmanananda?, soon there will be a book called Who killed Swami Agnivesh?. The current circumstances point to that.”
Former Union Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar said, “The injustice that started 10 years back is still continuing. Innocent people have been put behind bars. Even if they get justice now, they have already been punished for 10 years. While the innocent are in jail, who knows where the real accused are. And that is the saddest bit.”
Delhi University’s Professor Apoorvanand added, “If Hindus do not start realising that hatred is being spread in their name, the situation will worsen. Murder in the name of minorities has been normalised in recent times, which is a grave state of affairs.”