Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha letter to Orissa CM Regrets brutal killing of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati

Dear Chief Minister,

The killing of the venerated Swami Laxmanananda has grieved Hindus all over the country. The Vanvasis in Orissa, to whom he gave succor for decades, are devastated and angry. The consequential reprisal against innocent Christian families is also unfortunate. Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha, the apex body of Hindus all over the country, comprising all the Shankaracharyas and heads of all ancient mutts and peethas in the country, numbering more than 125 highly revered Hindu religious leaders, is deeply concerned. Violence between communities is continuing. On the one hand, missionaries and Christian organisations have unleashed a one-sided propaganda war against aggrieved Hindus and are pressurising authorities against the Vanvasis who are yet to get over their great loss; on the other hand, the murderers of the swamiji and his associates have not yet been nabbed. The Acharya Sabha notes with distress that not only Hindus in Kandhamal region where the heinous murders took place but the vast Hindu populace in Orissa believes that the murder of the swamiji and his associates including a woman, was the handiwork of some powerful local vested interests. There is also a strong belief that the criminals have been identified by the people locally but they are roaming freely because the law and order machinery is not keen to offend the powerful Christian minority leadership by arresting the murderers.

The Acharya Sabha requests you to take personal interest to get the criminal investigation completed quickly and to bring to book the villains, whoever they may be. It seems that special steps are required to stop the violence between communities without which the wounds will not heal easily. This will greatly help in restoring peace and order in the state. It will bring confidence in the government among the grieving Hindu populace and also other innocents in the state. Vested interests abroad will also stop vilifying our society, Orissa state and our country.

With good wishes,

Yours sincerely

Swami Dayananda Saraswati
Convenor, Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha