BHUHANESWAR: Tension between Christians and Hindus in Phulbani still prevails in different areas of the district, particularly in Kattingia Raika and Bamanigaon areas, Tension began in 1986 in the wake of launching of the “reconversion move regent” by Hindu revivalists led by the Viswa Hindu parishad in collaboration with the RSS, and violent clashes between these two communities began last September following “disappearance” of a sword from the Kanak Durga Temple in Kattingia village.
SOCIALSERVICE Kattingia church, the first home of the Catholics in Orissa, celebrated its centenary in 1983. The Christian missionaries established schools and dispensary in Kattingia and other areas in the district and endeared themselves by their social service. In the process many locals embraced Christianity.
Christian population in Phulbani district has doled during the last decade. RSS has now planned to stop conversion of Hindus into Christianity. They took out processions from time to time in different parts of the district with chariot of Hindu God; Lord Jagannath mounted on a truck,
There are over 700 chapels and churches in the district. The Christian Jana Kalyan Samaj has been formed to fight the RSS.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 17, 1989
