A damaged painting in a vandalized church at a relief camp in the village of Mondesore, Odisha, on A
A damaged painting in a vandalized church at a relief camp in the village of Mondesore, Odisha, on April 10, 2009, following deadly clashes between Hindus and Christians.> Photo: Daniel Berehulak.The violence began after the murder of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader, the Hindu monk Lakshmanananda Saraswati, on 23 August 2008. According to government reports the violence resulted in at least 39 people killed, all Christians. More than 395 churches were vandalized or burnt down, over 5,600 houses plundered or burnt down, over 600 villages ransacked and more than 54,000 people left homeless. Reports put the death toll at nearly 100 and suggested more than 40 women were sexually assaulted. Many Christians were forced to (re-)convert to Hinduism and Sikhism - a practice known as Ghar Wapsi. [x] [x] -- source link
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