2008 Kandhamal violence

The 2008 Kandhamal violence refers to a series of communal riots that erupted in Kandhamal district, Odisha, India, from August to December 2008. The conflict primarily involved Hindu and Christian communities, triggered by the assassination of a prominent Hindu leader, Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati, on August 23, 2008. In the ensuing violence, thousands of Christians were displaced, and over 100 people were killed, with widespread reports of arson, looting, and sexual violence. The riots sparked national and international condemnation, highlighting issues of religious intolerance and the need for effective responses to communal violence in India. Subsequent legal and political developments focused on justice for victims and the protection of minority rights.