SCM Canada solidarity statement on detention and killings of SCM India members

The Student Christian Movement of Canada (SCM-C) has raised its voice in solidarity with victims of communal rioting in the State of Orissa, India, where thousands of homes and churches have been destroyed, dozens killed, and SCM India members have had houses burned and family members killed in the violence triggered by an assassination last month.

UPDATE (Sept 12/08): We have learned from SCM India that several SCMers have lost family members in the violence, and a number have had their houses destroyed. However, the detained were not in fact SCM India members as previously thought. SCM India today launched a fact-finding mission into the causes of the violence, and is calling for those detained to be released. They have asked for no more letters to the India government as they wish to work with secular groups to not further communalize the issue. They are asking for prayers.

Read letters to SCM Canada – with updates & news of the situation – from SCM India and WSCF Asia Pacific.

A statement released by SCM-C on September 10 calls for an end to the violence and for rights of social minority Christians – especially scheduled castes and tribal peoples – who are already marginalized. The communal rioting erupted following the August 23 assassination of hardline Hindu nationalist leaders, blamed on Maoist rebels.

“SCM Canada expresses our solidarity with our sisters and brothers in SCM India,” the movement said in a statement. “[We pray] that voices of reconciliation triumph over those of sectarian conflict – and also for people of all faiths who are working for peace, justice and dialogue.”

SCM Canada, a student-led ecumenical movement founded in 1921, has sent letters of solidarity and protest to the government of India and to its sister movement in India. Its voice joins a growing number around the world calling for accountability and human rights.

Contact: David Ball, SCM Canada 1-877-674-3842

More info about the situation in Orissa, and other statements

SCM CANADA SOLIDARITY STATEMENT ON VIOLENCE IN ORISSA, INDIA, AND DETENTION OF SCM MEMBERS

Passed by consensus of the Student Christian Movement of Canada National Board
(September 10, 2008)

As members of the Student Christian Movement of Canada (SCM-C), we voice our strong condemnation of recent riots and violence against social minorities in the State of Orissa, India – in particular against scheduled castes, tribal peoples and Christian minorities. We are especially concerned about the recent detention of members of the Student Christian Movement of India, numerous killings, and the destruction of thousands of homes and churches.

SCM Canada fears that inaction and indifference by authorities at various levels equals support for the persecution of these already marginalized communities. We demand inquiries into the violence, a concerted effort towards interfaith dialogue to heal the divisions, and justice for the social minorities whose oppression has only been exacerbated by these attacks.

As a national student-led ecumenical movement founded in 1921, SCM Canada expresses our solidarity with our sisters and brothers in SCM India, praying that voices of reconciliation triumph over those of sectarian conflict – and also for people of all faiths who are working
for peace, justice and dialogue not only in India but in all places of conflict and oppression, including here in Canada where oppression must also be resisted.

Our concern arises from urgent requests for global solidarity, and also from our Living Prayer Mission which states: “Proclaiming God’s preferential option for the poor and marginalized, we act in solidarity with the oppressed to resist structures of domination and realize justice in this world.”

We, standing with SCM India and other levels and regions of the World Student Christian Federation, therefore call on the government of India, central and in the state-level to take strong actions and prosecute the perpetrators of the recent violations in Orissa.

We call on the central government of India to:

1. Give respite to the Christian minorities in Orissa by giving relief to the individuals, children, youth and families who were hurt, dispossessed and displaced by the fundamentalist attacks.

2. Give way for an immediate independent Fact Finding Mission in Orissa to ascertain facts.

3. Restore confidence of the Christians and minorities by prosecuting the violators, including through investigation and punishment of negligent Orissa state officials

4. Institute mechanisms to promote inter-religious understanding and cooperation, and recognition of the rights of the minorities in India.

Lastly we share the aspiration of the Indian people for a lasting resolution of causes and effect of these religious attacks – including standing for the rights of religious and ethnic minorities – and we vow to monitor the situation in Orissa and other parts of India and educate our members, local units and churches about this situation.

We pray that the government gives strong assurance to the minorities of Orissa by heeding the calls and demands of various Churches, organizations and concerned citizens of India and the world.