Actor dies while reenacting death of missionery

Asian Economic News, Jan 22, 2001

NEW DELHI, Jan. 18 Kyodo

An amateur actor who accidentally set himself on fire earlier this month while reenacting the burning to death of an Australian missionary by Hindu fundamentalists in 1999 has died in the southern city of Chennai, the Indian Express daily reported Thursday.

Mohan Kumar, portraying Graham Stewart Staines, who was burned alive two years ago with his sons, used real fuel for the scene.

The play was part of a cultural fete organized by welfare organizations, who say they were unaware that Kumar planned to use real petrol for the scene.

Staines and his sons were burned alive by Hindu fundamentalists on Jan. 22, 1999 in the eastern state of Orissa. The zealots opposed his work among lepers in the state, accused him of trying to convert tribal people.

Hindu fanatics have stepped up attacks on Christian missionaries in recent years, saying they are actively trying to convert mainly lower-caste Hindus.