Devastated houses, destroyed churches, and refugee camps that could not be closed down two years after riots devastated the lives of many in Orissa's Kandhamal district.
Devastated houses, destroyed churches, and refugee camps that could not be closed down two years after riots devastated the lives of many in Orissa's Kandhamal district.
At an exhibition on Kandhamal that opened today, these pictures tell a tale of misery and injustice that has still not been addressed.
A collection of photographs and paintings on the conditions of the victims who were targeted following the murder of Swami Lakshmanananda in 2008, along with real artefacts that relate their stories first hand are on display in the capital.
Lyricist Javed Akhtar, who opened the exhibition, described the incidents in Orissa as a "matter of shame" for the entire country.
"While on the one hand we take rightful pride in our democracy, on the other hand such incidences happen which are a blot on the face of our nation, our democracy and our ideal of secularism," Akhtar told media persons after inaugurating the exhibit.
The contributors to the exhibition include young artists who traveled across the violence-hit regions and painted their own feelings on canvasses.
Titled 'Hamwatan', the exhibition, also displays a large number of photographs collected from Shailendra Pandey of Tehelka and some from Janvikas society of Orissa.
It also displays real artefacts picked up from across the riot-hit areas, including those from the churches that were attacked and destroyed.
"The episode has been erased from our collective conscience, and we want to re-register it in the minds of all Indis," said John Dayal, an activist associated with the event, and Secretary General, All India Christian Council.
"The law of the land cannot be put aside for so many days without the blessings of the government. Until such people believe they can go scot free after committing such crimes, such things will not stop," said Akhtar.
Social activist Shabnam Hashmi, who conceptualised and designed the exhibit said, "We desire to show that the affected people, some of whom still live in fear, have shown a lot of courage and want to get back with their lives".
Asked about the use of a photograph of NGO ANHAD by the BJP, Hashmi said the group has issued a notice to the party on the issue.
"Yes our picture of a demonstration on Kashmir was used by them during their 'Save Kashmir Day' and we have given them a notice," she told reporters.
The group had pointed to the advertisement that appeared in two newspapers and alleged that one of their photographs of an Anhad demonstration on Kashmir at Jantar Mantar held on July 8 had been "misused".
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