Massive Protest Against Communal Fundamentalism in City

Massive Protest Against Communal Fundamentalism in City Pics: Savitha B R Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS) Mangalore, Apr 11: As many as 1,300 protestors took to streets and shouted slogans against the child welfare department and communal fundamentalists here on Monday April 11, condemning the false allegations including that of conversion levelled against some of the institutions involved in social service recently. The protest was led by 37 like-minded unions like Konkani Yuva Awaz, IFKCA, Dalita Sangharsha Samithi, All India National Congress, JD(S), DYFI and Komu Sauhardha Vedike among others. Vincent Alva, lecturer, Milagres College Kallianpur said that simple protests with just placards to condemn the attacks on minority community have not made any difference to the authorities. This protest is not a reaction by angered youth. Many seniors like ex-MLC Octavia Albuquerque are also annoyed by the recent attack on institutions run by the Christian community, he said. Recalling the attacks on churches about two years ago, he said the culprits are wandering on the streets without any fear, but those who were attacked are facing criminal cases. Police was responsible for this, he added. About the Justice Somashekar Commission report, he said the Justice Somashekar was controlled by Bajrang Dal activists, and made a snide remark that he may also get doctorate very soon. On corporator and leader of opposition in the MCC Lancelot Pinto, he said that Pinto is concerned about society but the police have filed a non-bailable case against him. Stella Maris was an institution that has been providing education since pre-independence era. If the allegation of conversion was true, then Christians would have been the majority population in Mangalore by now, he noted. He also alleged that the government is behind all these nuisances as it fears the people of Hindu community will not vote for it. He also clarified that not all people belonging to majority community are fundamentalists, but only a handful. He alleged that Bajrang Dal activists get Rs 150 daily wages from the government for what they do. He questioned Bajrang Dal's audacity in taking law into its hands, and suggested that those activists need to study the Constitution. Coming down heavily on police atrocity on the minority communities he said that a person who was carrying the Bible in his bag in Madikeri was thrashed by activists of Bajrang Dal and was supported by the police. He reiterated that there is no scope for moral policing in a democratic country. Speaking on allegations of conversion against Christians, he said that more than 80,000 students have studied and passed out of Christian institutions. "Let even one among them come and allege that he was converted, then we will agree that Christians engage in conversion," he challenged. About Bajrang Dal activists, he wondered whether they were capable of looking after even one destitute child. Recalling an incident when even Mother Teresa had been accused of conversion, Alva said that when the police commissioner in Kolkata visited Mother Teresa's centre, he could not even tolerate the smell emanating from the leprosy patients, but Mother Teresa was cleaning their bodies and was serving them selflessly. Launching an attack on the child welfare development officers, he said that they do not have feelings of sympathy or compassion which is needed in their field. He said that the protestors are not begging anything, but demanding the protection of their rights. District convener of Karnataka Dalit Sangharsha Samithi Krishnananda D said that issues of untouchability, caste system and illiteracy are intentionally provoked by upper class people. "None of the religious leaders in the Hindu community have come forward to help the Dalits. Christian education institutions have provided education for all, while Hindu upper class people did not even offer us water to drink," he said. Calling activists of Bajrang Dal scapegoats of politicians, he warned of public litigation against Bajrang Dal and the police. Ali Hasan, president of the Muslim Merchants' Association said that they have gathered in front of the DC’s office without any fear, and that the protest shows the unity and capacity of minority community people to go against the government. The protestors said that they do not want a government that supports gundaism. He accused the police department of failure of duty, and said that the presence of anti-social activists in the city is a testimonial to it. He also asserted that people of the minority community belong to this country, and are not migrants, and added that they would arrange an alternate system to curb such anti-social activists if similar incidents continue. MLA Ramanath Rai, Sunil Kumar Bajal, William Menezes, ex-MLA Vijaykumar Shetty, DYFI's Muneer Katipalla, P B D’Sa, Krishnappa Salian, Denis Moras Prabhu, Naveen D’Souza, Alwyn D’Souza, Arun Coelho, Walter Cyril, Mariamma Thomas, among others were present. Dolphy Prashanth D'Souza, emerging Congress leader and Steven Mogarnad, youth Congress block president, Bantwal were also present. http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=98933