Relay fast to protest Orissa killings

KOLKATA: Christians in West Bengal will organise a three-day relay fast to protest the killing of Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati in Orissa and of the 58 others who lost their lives in subsequent violence.
     
Catholic Association of Bengal (CAB) along with a number of secular organisations will organise the fast from November 14 to 16 to protest the killing of Saraswati in Orissa and subsequent atrocities on Christians in several states, Secretary of CAB Sunil Lucas said here on Wednesday.
     
After the killing of Saraswati and four of his associates, 58 people lost their lives, including Fr Bernanrd Digal, in mob attacks," Lucas said.
     
The objectives of the fast were to express solidarity with the victims of violence and terrorism, urge governments to protect the constitutional rights of citizens, elicit public support for human rights and reaffirm faith in peace and non-violence, he said.
     
He added they also protest against terrorism currently threatening the country's integrity and secular fabric.
     
The relay will begin at 9:00 a m at the Metro corridor in the Esplanade in the presence of Archbishop of Kolkata, Lucas Sircar.
      
Being organised under the aegis of the Catholic Religious of India (CRI) the fast would be participated by leaders from the Greek Orthodox Church, Armenian Church, Baptist Church and the Assembly of God Church, besides representatives of other major religions and nearly 40 secular NGOs, he said.