NEW DELHI, JAN 25: The Congress high command has been forced to emerge from its stupor on toppling the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government following the submission of a graphic report by All India Congress Committee general secretary Madhavrao Scindia to party president Sonia Gandhi, on the slaying of an Australian missionary and his sons in Orissa two days ago.Gandhi sent Scindia to Manoharpur in Orissa, where Graham Stewart Staines and his two sons were burnt alive by a mob believed to be Bajrang Dal activists, while the two leaders were in the midst of their respective tours in two States. This morning, Scindia handed over his report to Gandhi, which is, by all accounts, a chilling account of the sadistic killings which have ``changed things (politically and otherwise) a lot''.Sources said Scindia presented what was one of the most heart-rending reports in recent times to Gandhi, one which ``shell-shocked'' the Congress high command and ``suddenly made it clear that this is the gravest threat tothe country''. The end result was that the Congress leadership, which was playing coy to any suggestion of toppling the A B Vajpayee Government, felt that things must now be seen in a ``very harsh perspective'', which the Orissa killings have forced upon them.A Congress Working Committee meeting is likely to be convened to discuss the party's response to the Orissa murders, but informally, party leaders concede that the equation has now changed. The thrust of Scindia's report suggested that the party's response has to be ``adequately calibrated''.``We all have to put our heads together and think it over. We are shell-shocked. It has brought everything into a very harsh perspective. This ghastly incident has suddenly made it clear that this is the gravest threat. Toppling games are considered unprincipled but this has really gone beyond limits. It is high time the PM packed his bags and left. It can't be accepted anymore,'' Scindia said this evening, after sharing the view with Gandhi at 10, Janpathearlier in the day.Opposition parties, including the Left, Rashtriya Loktantrik Morcha, Tamil Maanila Congress and others have condemned the killing and called for a ban on the Bajrang Dal. The BJP has, predictably, alleged the incident was part of a conspiracy to defame the Central Government but its allies too have joined in the anti-BJP tirade.Over the last few months, minorities have been the target of attacks by organisations allied to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, but this is the first time people have been burnt alive by a mob which danced while Staines and his sons, Philip and Timothy were reduced to ashes late Friday night.Since then, the Telugu Desam Party, Trinamool Congress and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam have flayed the Centre. The TDP said the BJP had lost the moral right to govern while Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee said Union Home Minister L K Advani must quit at once.Speculation has begun on a new seriousness to the toppling game with the Congresslikely to be more active this time.There are no indications yet on what Gandhi will do but the days of passivity might be difficult to repeat. Most of the CWC members, including Manmohan Singh and P A Sangma, whose counsel is considered serious in 10, Janpath, are likely to press for the ouster of the Vajpayee Government.They will be backed by Scindia's detailed report on the Manoharpur murders. The area is a remote hamlet of about 125 residences, Scindia has reported, which is reached by crossing three major rivers. A huge forest area too has to be traversed, making the place ``extremely vulnerable''. ``There are thousands of such hamlets in the country which is what makes the whole thing so frightening,'' the AICC general secretary said.Staines' station wagon, in which he and his sons were sleeping, was parked against the wall of the local church - a mud-hut which is semi-tiled. Around 100 people arrived after 11 pm, many of them from outside the area who were mobilised and armed for the night.They first stoned the vehicle which woke up the family.The victims were not allowed to come out of the vehicle, villagers were threatened to stay indoors and the vehicle was set on fire. ``I can scarcely believe that people can behave like savages,'' Scindia said. Apparently, the missionary and the two children were beating on the vehicles' windows pleading for life. Bajrang Dal activists were dancing outside, shouting pro-Dal slogans and watching the trio roast to death.Staines worked for 32 years in the area and said to be ``more Indian'' than Australian. He was secretary of the local Rotary Club. ``While people were being roasted alive, all that the PM and the Home Minister can think of is that the Bajrang Dal is not involved. The incident has terrorised the minorities and attacked the very liberal, secular attitude by which the country is run,'' Scindia added.The result: Congress leaders now say liberal and democratic forces must launch concerted action against the ``pure, unadulterated fascism''displayed in Orissa. As a first step, the party wants a movement to be built around this incident adding that a ``lot of saner elements in the BJP'' must think on what they want to do now.
