“Our lawyers have informed us that the prosecution is getting adjournments on flimsy grounds. At this rate, its looks unlikely that the High Court will grant us bail any time soon,” Challanseth shared with ICC.
Sanaseth added, “Now it’s 10 years that we are inside. But we have submitted ourselves to the will of the Lord. Whatever God wants to do with our lives, let it be done. We count it a privilege to suffer for the name of Jesus Christ.”
Suranjan Nayak, a social worker and rights activist, believes that unless the families of these seven men raise a public protest, nothing will change. He said, “There is no doubt these seven men have been made scapegoats and put in jail due to political pressure from right-wing, anti-Christian extremists. But, if these seven men have to come out on bail or at least have their prison terms commuted, then public opinion has to be raised to draw attention and put pressure on the authorities,”
The other five victims are in separate jails in various locations.
ICC obtained quotes from the judgement copy against the seven victims, which state the following: “It is alleged that the Missionaries used charity as a facade for converting people away from their native faith with alliance to Maoists are the perpetrators and conspirators of the assassination of Swamiji (the godman)… The above accused persons (the seven men) have been committed as perpetrators and conspirators behind the killing of Swamiji and charged for commission of offences punishable u/s 147, 148, 449, 380, 302, read with section 149 and section 120B of Indian Penal Code and Section 25 and 27 of the Arms Act.”
Nayak added, “All the seven men are from Tumudibandh and Kotgarh areas, which is 90% Christian population. Authorities are ready to support us provided we come forward. So they (the families of the imprisoned seven, along with others) should organize a rally and do something like a hunger strike. Otherwise, these men will not get justice”
Unfortunately, many perpetrators who participated in the August 2008 violence are still walking free, despite police cases against them and the many witnesses who refuse to identify in court for fear of backlash. In contrast, the seven Christian men are being accused of a murder they did not commit, without substantial evidence, and they are still serving lifetime sentences.
Father Diya also informed ICC that “11,000 people who were involved in the mob violence got anticipatory bail, only 492 were convicted in various cases, 347 cases have been closed for want of evidence. And only two people have been convicted and sent to life imprisonment in two murder cases.”
Meanwhile, Challanseth and Sanaseth have said that their families are surviving through programs that ICC helped sponsor so that they could generate a source of income.
Challanseth has no regrets about his imprisonment because he knows that he is innocent. He said, “Sometimes, our thoughts go towards our families, but we pray that God will meet all their needs.”
Sanaseth added, “We spend our time in jail reading our Bible and we are ever closer to God now. Even the jail authorities treat us well as they know that we have not committed any crime.”
While speaking about the general situation in Kandhamal after 10 years, Nayak said, “An atmosphere of fear still hovers over the Christians of Kandhamal. There is silence everywhere, but there is no peace. In the interior regions, there are many unreported incidents of Christians being asked to leave their villages, etc. The situation can change any time, so the quarter million Christians of Kandhamal have to unite and raise their voice.”
For interviews with William Stark, Regional Manager, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org