Annoyed at the series of 'systematic' attacks against Christians in Karnataka, civil society groups will today hold a protest in front of the District Collector's office demanding action against communal elements threatening social harmony.
Last week, the Bajrang Dal attacked three destitute homes run by Christians in Mangalore. Ebenezer hostel, Ashraya and Stella Mary’s Charity Home were attacked on allegations of conversion and ill-treatment of children.
Following cooked up complaints, a raid was conducted by the Women and Child Welfare Department officials who took into custody 28 children and manhandled the staff members.
The Karnataka Christian Unions' Association condemned the attack and declared a protest on Monday to demand protection of Christian institutions and worship places.
Addressing the media, corporator Mariamma Thomas said the raids were pre-planned and intended to disturb communal harmony and tarnish the image of the Christian community.
"Social service, charity and brotherhood are hallmarks of Christianity which takes up the uplift of the poor and destitute who are not taken care by the society," media quoted her saying.
She warned that if attacks on Christian institutions doing social service continued, it might result in no individual or organisation to take care of the poor and destitute.
The press meet was joined by leaders of Ahinda, Karnataka Dalit Sangarsh Samithi, CITU, Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha and Karnataka Christ Union.
One of the Christian charity homes raided was that of leader of the opposition in Mangalore city corporation, Lancelot Pinto. Pinto had been running the orphanage for the poor and downtrodden children for the last 11 years.
Meanwhile, taking note of the attacks, the Congress on Friday criticised the Sangh Parivar and said they had instigated the police and social welfare department to conduct the unwarranted raids.
"No complaints of ill-treatment were made by parents or children all these years. The allegations of kidnapping, child-trafficking and religious conversion are just part of the Saffron agenda," said MLA B Ramanath Rai, President of Dakshina Kannada District Congress Committee (DKDCC).
Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) has appealed to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Chief Minister Yeddyurappa to reign over anti social elements who are causing communal disharmony and harassing Christians throughout the state.
"Hinduvta outfits in Mangalore have systematically and maliciously targetted Christian prayer centres and institutions alleging conversion activities," GCIC said. "The Justice Somasekhara Commission which gave a clean chit to the Sangh Parivar groups has emboldened them to launch a series of attacks against Christians.”
In September 2008, at least 20 Christian worship places were attacked by the Bajrang Dal in the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada, including Mangalore.
Last week, the Bajrang Dal attacked three destitute homes run by Christians in Mangalore. Ebenezer hostel, Ashraya and Stella Mary’s Charity Home were attacked on allegations of conversion and ill-treatment of children.
Following cooked up complaints, a raid was conducted by the Women and Child Welfare Department officials who took into custody 28 children and manhandled the staff members.
The Karnataka Christian Unions' Association condemned the attack and declared a protest on Monday to demand protection of Christian institutions and worship places.
Addressing the media, corporator Mariamma Thomas said the raids were pre-planned and intended to disturb communal harmony and tarnish the image of the Christian community.
"Social service, charity and brotherhood are hallmarks of Christianity which takes up the uplift of the poor and destitute who are not taken care by the society," media quoted her saying.
She warned that if attacks on Christian institutions doing social service continued, it might result in no individual or organisation to take care of the poor and destitute.
The press meet was joined by leaders of Ahinda, Karnataka Dalit Sangarsh Samithi, CITU, Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha and Karnataka Christ Union.
One of the Christian charity homes raided was that of leader of the opposition in Mangalore city corporation, Lancelot Pinto. Pinto had been running the orphanage for the poor and downtrodden children for the last 11 years.
Meanwhile, taking note of the attacks, the Congress on Friday criticised the Sangh Parivar and said they had instigated the police and social welfare department to conduct the unwarranted raids.
"No complaints of ill-treatment were made by parents or children all these years. The allegations of kidnapping, child-trafficking and religious conversion are just part of the Saffron agenda," said MLA B Ramanath Rai, President of Dakshina Kannada District Congress Committee (DKDCC).
Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) has appealed to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Chief Minister Yeddyurappa to reign over anti social elements who are causing communal disharmony and harassing Christians throughout the state.
"Hinduvta outfits in Mangalore have systematically and maliciously targetted Christian prayer centres and institutions alleging conversion activities," GCIC said. "The Justice Somasekhara Commission which gave a clean chit to the Sangh Parivar groups has emboldened them to launch a series of attacks against Christians.”
In September 2008, at least 20 Christian worship places were attacked by the Bajrang Dal in the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada, including Mangalore.
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