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.                     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 |
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.
