Orissa, Karnataka should be careful

By O J George

Orissa and Karnataka States have not been able to contain the attacks against the Christian community forthwith. The Centre says it has sent enough paramilitary forces to Orissa as asked for by the Naveen Patnaik regime. The Centre can only warn the States about taking strong action, particularly when no single-party regime or a powerful government is not available in Delhi for intrinsic reasons.

The Centre cannot easily dismiss a State government as it is weak in many ways. The action of dismissal has to be ratified by Parliament with two-thirds majority of members present and voting. Dr Manmohan Singh government has been moving heaven and earth to get simple majority for the nuclear deal. And at what cost?

Now that the left parties and the BJP and their allies are strongly arrayed against the UPA Government, strong action like dismissing the State governments, is unthinkable.

However, the State governments must find ways to put down the atrocities against the Christian community. If there is a will, evil elements can be dealt with. People have not forgotten the burning of Graham Steines and his two sons. It is a sad commentary on the part of any government to see that a large number of members of the Christian community are hiding in forests fearing reprisal from enemies.

Things are bad, so strong measures are called for.