Manoj Pradhan
Encyclopedia
Manoj Pradhan is an India
n politician from the Bharatiya Janata Party
. He was elected from the G. Udayagiri
assembly
constituency from the state of Orissa
. He has been convicted in two cases of murder during the Kandhamal riots of 2008, in which 38 people were killed and more than 25,000 tribal Christians were displaced. Since Pradhan was in jail at the time, he was given 15 days bail so he could participate in the swearing-in of the state assembly.
With 80% of the population living below the poverty line, Kandhamal
is one of the poorest districts of India
. The population is largely tribal, with the scheduled tribes of Kandha, constituting 55%, along with a minority of Pana tribals. Under circumstances of severe governmental neglect, Christian missionaries were able to convert many of the Pana, who had their own forms of religion, over the last five decades. The Kandha are largely Hindu or believe in local animistic faiths.
Over the last four decades, the Christian conversion was opposed by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad led by Swami Laxmanananda. In August 2008, Laxmananda was murdered
by a squad of armed Maoists, leading to widespread riot
s in which Manoj Pradhan had a leading role.
However, BJP leaders like Manoj Pradhan and Ashok Sahu incited Hindu mobs to attack the Christian Pano tribal villages. The mob set fire to many Christian settlements, killing at least 38 people. More than a thousand people are still living in Government refugee camps.
, was charged in 12 cases under sections 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting with deadly weapon), 149 (unlawful assembly), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence),
302 (murder), 341 (wrongfully restraining someone), 342
(wrongful confinement) and 436 (mischief by fire or explosive
substance with intent to destroy houses etc.) of the Indian Penal Code
/ Pradhan went into hiding, and was listed as one of the "most wanted" in police files. After his arrest in October 2008, the investigating officer Arun Ray, stated that much of the killing during the riots had been "planned much before".
During the investigation of the riots, Manoj Pradhan emerged as one of the firebrand leaders of the mob; police dossiers describe him as "the field commander" who led the rampaging mobs. On October 15, 2008, he was injured in a shootout during a period when the armed constable Bakshis Singh of the elite Central Reserve Police Force
was killed while trying to protect the minorities.
Pradhan had to undergo hospital treatment, and was staying at a lodge in Berhampur
that night when he was arrested. The riots died down the same month.
, the Hindutva
-oriented Bharatiya Janata Party inducted Pradhan, who had little political experience, as its candidate for the state legislature from the G Udaygiri constituency. The induction of a riot-accused as a representative of one of the main political parties raised considerable criticism, but was defended by party spokesman Nayan Mohanty, who claimed that charges against him had been "fabricated"
In the run-up to the elections,
Naveen Patnaik
, leader of the Biju Janata Dal
broke his ties with the BJP, saying that "the alliance in the state had to be broken because it became impossible for him to stay with the saffron party after the Kandhanmal riots which "horrified the entire world".
Although the BJP did very poorly in the elections, failing to win a single seat in parliament, it won two of the three state assembly seats in the Kandhmal district. Pradhan won the G Udaygiri seat, defeating the sitting Member of the Legislative Assembly Ajayanti Pradhan of the Indian National Congress
by 20,000 votes. Pradhan became a Member of the Legislative Assembly, but could not attend the oath-taking ceremony since his bail application was rejected by a court in Phulbani. Eventually the high court granted him bail
and he was able to take the oath a few days late.
Pradhan was sentenced to seven years rigorous imprisonment. However, after his election he was granted bail
by the High court on July 6.
On 9 September 2010, another judge found Pradhan guilty in the murder of Bikram Nayak from Budedipada on August 26, 2008. He was sentenced to six years imprisonment in this case.
These are two of the 12 cases relating to the Kandhamal riots in which Manoj Pradhan has been charged; there are two other murder cases yet to be decided.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n politician from the Bharatiya Janata Party
Bharatiya Janata Party
The Bharatiya Janata Party ,; translation: Indian People's Party) is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Indian National Congress. Established in 1980, it is India's second largest political party in terms of representation in the parliament...
. He was elected from the G. Udayagiri
G. Udayagiri
G. Udayagiri or simply Udayagiri is a town and a notified area committee in Kandhamal district in the state of Orissa, India.-Geography:G. Udayagiri is located at . It has an average elevation of .-Demographics:...
assembly
Vidhan Sabha
The Vidhan Sabha or the Legislative Assembly is the lower house or the sole house of the provincial legislature in the different states of India. The same name is also used for the lower house of the legislatures for two of the union territories, Delhi and Pondicherry...
constituency from the state of Orissa
Orissa
Orissa , officially Odisha since Nov 2011, is a state of India, located on the east coast of India, by the Bay of Bengal. It is the modern name of the ancient nation of Kalinga, which was invaded by the Maurya Emperor Ashoka in 261 BC. The modern state of Orissa was established on 1 April...
. He has been convicted in two cases of murder during the Kandhamal riots of 2008, in which 38 people were killed and more than 25,000 tribal Christians were displaced. Since Pradhan was in jail at the time, he was given 15 days bail so he could participate in the swearing-in of the state assembly.
Background
Manoj Pradhan belongs to the Kandha tribe, and hails from Laburigaon village in Kandhmal district.With 80% of the population living below the poverty line, Kandhamal
Kandhamal
Kandhamal is a district of the state of Orissa, India. The district headquarters of the district is Phulbani.-History:The Kandhmal district was created on 1 April 1993 from the former Boudh-Kandhmal district as a result of district reorganization in the state of Orissa.-Communal unrest and...
is one of the poorest districts of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. The population is largely tribal, with the scheduled tribes of Kandha, constituting 55%, along with a minority of Pana tribals. Under circumstances of severe governmental neglect, Christian missionaries were able to convert many of the Pana, who had their own forms of religion, over the last five decades. The Kandha are largely Hindu or believe in local animistic faiths.
Over the last four decades, the Christian conversion was opposed by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad led by Swami Laxmanananda. In August 2008, Laxmananda was murdered
Murder of Swami Lakshmanananda
Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati and four others were murdered in August 2008 in the Orissa state of India. Swami Lakshmanananda was a Hindu monk and a highly revered spiritual leader who lived a life dedicated to tribal welfare...
by a squad of armed Maoists, leading to widespread riot
Riot
A riot is a form of civil disorder characterized often by what is thought of as disorganized groups lashing out in a sudden and intense rash of violence against authority, property or people. While individuals may attempt to lead or control a riot, riots are thought to be typically chaotic and...
s in which Manoj Pradhan had a leading role.
Kandhamal riots
After Laxmananda's murder, Hindu mobs were convinced that Christians, who may have been behind several earlier attacks on him, were behind the murder. Eventually, however, a Maoist couple, Surendra Vekwara and Ruby, who were alleged to have killed the Swami, surrendered to the Orissa police. The trigger had apparently been pulled by Maoist leader Udaya.However, BJP leaders like Manoj Pradhan and Ashok Sahu incited Hindu mobs to attack the Christian Pano tribal villages. The mob set fire to many Christian settlements, killing at least 38 people. More than a thousand people are still living in Government refugee camps.
Indictment and arrest
During the investigations of the riot, Manoj Pradhan, though not named in the initial First Information ReportFirst Information Report
A First Information Report or FIR is a written document prepared by the police in India, Pakistan and Japan when they receive information about the commission of a cognizable offence. It is a report of information that reaches the police first in point of time and that is why it is called the First...
, was charged in 12 cases under sections 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting with deadly weapon), 149 (unlawful assembly), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence),
302 (murder), 341 (wrongfully restraining someone), 342
(wrongful confinement) and 436 (mischief by fire or explosive
substance with intent to destroy houses etc.) of the Indian Penal Code
Indian Penal Code
Indian Penal Code is the main criminal code of India. It is a comprehensive code, intended to cover all substantive aspects of criminal law. It was drafted in 1860 and came into force in colonial India during the British Raj in 1862...
/ Pradhan went into hiding, and was listed as one of the "most wanted" in police files. After his arrest in October 2008, the investigating officer Arun Ray, stated that much of the killing during the riots had been "planned much before".
During the investigation of the riots, Manoj Pradhan emerged as one of the firebrand leaders of the mob; police dossiers describe him as "the field commander" who led the rampaging mobs. On October 15, 2008, he was injured in a shootout during a period when the armed constable Bakshis Singh of the elite Central Reserve Police Force
Central Reserve Police Force
The Central Reserve Police Force also known as CRPF is the largest of India's Central Armed Police Forces. It functions under the aegis of Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government of India. The CRPF's primary role lies in assisting the State/Union Territories in police operations to maintain...
was killed while trying to protect the minorities.
Pradhan had to undergo hospital treatment, and was staying at a lodge in Berhampur
Berhampur
Brahmapur , nicknamed "The Silk City", is a city located in the eastern coastline of Ganjam district of the Indian state of Orissa, about south to state capital, Bhubaneswar.It is also dubbed as "The Dance City" of Orissa after Prince Dance Group and Harihar Das made the state famous in India's...
that night when he was arrested. The riots died down the same month.
2009 elections
For the Indian general election in Orissa, 2009Indian general election in Orissa, 2009
The Indian general election, 2009 in Orissa were held for 21 seats with the state going to polls in the first two phases of the general elections. The major contenders in the state were the Third Front, Indian National Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party...
, the Hindutva
Hindutva
Hindutva is the term used to describe movements advocating Hindu nationalism. Members of the movement are called Hindutvavādis.In India, an umbrella organization called the Sangh Parivar champions the concept of Hindutva...
-oriented Bharatiya Janata Party inducted Pradhan, who had little political experience, as its candidate for the state legislature from the G Udaygiri constituency. The induction of a riot-accused as a representative of one of the main political parties raised considerable criticism, but was defended by party spokesman Nayan Mohanty, who claimed that charges against him had been "fabricated"
In the run-up to the elections,
Naveen Patnaik
Naveen Patnaik
Naveen Patnaik is an Indian politician and the current Chief Minister of Orissa, India and the chief of Biju Janata Dal, a regional political party in Orissa.-Personal life:...
, leader of the Biju Janata Dal
Biju Janata Dal
The Biju Janata Dal is a state political party of the Indian state of Orissa led by Naveen Patnaik, son of former state chief minister Biju Patnaik. It was founded on 27 December 1997.-History:...
broke his ties with the BJP, saying that "the alliance in the state had to be broken because it became impossible for him to stay with the saffron party after the Kandhanmal riots which "horrified the entire world".
Although the BJP did very poorly in the elections, failing to win a single seat in parliament, it won two of the three state assembly seats in the Kandhmal district. Pradhan won the G Udaygiri seat, defeating the sitting Member of the Legislative Assembly Ajayanti Pradhan of the Indian National Congress
Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian...
by 20,000 votes. Pradhan became a Member of the Legislative Assembly, but could not attend the oath-taking ceremony since his bail application was rejected by a court in Phulbani. Eventually the high court granted him bail
Bail
Traditionally, bail is some form of property deposited or pledged to a court to persuade it to release a suspect from jail, on the understanding that the suspect will return for trial or forfeit the bail...
and he was able to take the oath a few days late.
Murder convictions
On 29 June 2010, a fast-track court set up after the Kandhamal riots found Manoj Pradhan guilty of the murder of Parikhita Digal, a Christian from Budedi village who was killed by the mob on August 27, 2008.Pradhan was sentenced to seven years rigorous imprisonment. However, after his election he was granted bail
by the High court on July 6.
On 9 September 2010, another judge found Pradhan guilty in the murder of Bikram Nayak from Budedipada on August 26, 2008. He was sentenced to six years imprisonment in this case.
These are two of the 12 cases relating to the Kandhamal riots in which Manoj Pradhan has been charged; there are two other murder cases yet to be decided.