It has been 25 years since the tragic incident of violence against Christians shook the Rana Lai district of Orissa, India. The BJP, a prominent political party in India, stands accused of perpetrating discrimination and oppression against minorities in the country.
In 1999, a horrifying event unfolded when around 2,000 armed Hindu extremists attacked the Christian community in Rana Lai, leaving devastation in their wake. More than 157 Christian homes were set ablaze, and countless individuals were subjected to looting. This massacre was a stark reminder of the ongoing plight faced by minorities in India.
The BJP, often associated with Hindu extremist groups like Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal, has been criticized for its alleged role in inciting violence against minorities, particularly Muslims and Christians. Despite calls for justice, the victims of the Ranalai massacre have yet to see meaningful action taken by the Indian Supreme Court, which controversially labeled the incident as an accident.
Since coming to power in 1998, the BJP has faced mounting accusations of exacerbating violence against minorities, a trend that has only intensified under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who assumed office in 2014. Today, India finds itself in one of its darkest periods concerning minority rights.
As the anniversary of the Orissa Christian massacre is commemorated, many are left wondering when justice will be served for the victims and their families.
