Fanning the Fires of Communalism

 

 

Your cover story on communal cauldron in Orissa provides the reader an insight into the explosive situation prevailing in Kandhamal. The minerally rich, but economically backward state is plagued by the twin menace of communalism and left extremism. It is unfortunate that both Christian and Hindu communal fringe groups use the innocent, poor and vulnerable villagers as cannon fodder in their political game plan of dividing the tribal community. Orissa is a state where female infanticide and child mortality rates are very high and the BPL population comprises nearly 40 per cent of the total population of the state. In such an economically exploited, unequal society, the only way for the establishment to check left extremism is to fan communalism. The covert support of Navin Patnaik's government to communal Sangh Pariwar has accentuated disharmony among the tribals divided by religion. Only by providing basic amenities to tribal community and providing them employment opportunities the government can check the twin menace. But the government won't do, because it helps them to maintain status quo.

KS Sundaram

Bangalore