After a month-and-a-half of incessant attacks against Christians in Orissa, the central government on Friday issued an ultimatum to the state government-stop the violence or face action.

The warning comes on a day in which the government began seriously looking at the possibility of banning the Bajrang Dal, a move which clearly comes with political risks.

There has still been no final decision on what the Centre will do, though Railway Minister Lalu Yadav went to the extent of suggesting that President’s rule could be imposed if the situation did not improve.

Since August 23, when an RSS leader was killed, Christians in the state have been targeted constantly.

Earlier this week, Manmohan Singh faced uncomfortable questions from leaders of the European Union, regarding attacks on Christians. The Prime Minister had condemned the attacks as a national shame.

The Home Ministry is now preparing a Cabinet note to ban the Bajrang Dal, but ultimately it will be left to a tribunal to decide.

Pressure is being mounted on the UPA government to act not only firmly against the BJP-BJD government in Orissa but also on the Bajrang Dal, who many in the Cabinet feel is seen as flaring up the communal violence across the State.