Click to play videoNew Delhi: Christians across the country were up in arms against the persecution of their community in Orissa over the past six days.
In Delhi, missionary schools and colleges remained shut and hundreds came together outside the Orissa . A delegation of representatives from Christian organisations across the Capital submitted a memorandum to the Orissa Governor demanding President's Rule in the state.
Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) spokesman Reverend Babu Joseph said, "We have asked for action against the Home Secretary and the DGP. The state has not done enough to protect the people."
The protesters included religious leaders, professionals students, teachers and parents, some even from outside the Christian community.
A student, Melvina says, "We are not Christians but we belong to this country and we want our basic rights."
A teacher at St Anthony's school, Mrs Sundari adds, "It's not a question of a religion. It is the question of basic rights to human beings."
Reports of protests came in from other parts of the country as well. In Mumbai, Vadodara and Bangalore too all missionary schools remained closed.
Meanwhile, in Karnataka, the Education Minister said the state government would take action against the schools that remained shut.
The message from the Christian community is clear. They feel the state has failed to protect them and their basic human rights. It is now for the Center and state governments and the civil society to act and restore the lost trust and sense of security among Christians.
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