Central Govt hits out at Orissa, Karnataka for church attacks

Following the persecution of Christians in Orissa and Karnataka, the Central Government on Thursday hit out at both the state governments for its failure to control the violence by Hindu radical groups.

The Home Ministry issued a warning under Article 355 that it would be compelled to take action against the state governments if violence did not cease.

Article 355 brings the President's Rule based on the Governor's report of failure of constitutional machinery.

According to Article 355, it is the duty of the Centre to protect against external aggression and internal disturbance and also to ensure that the government of every state is carried on in accordance with provisions of the Constitution.

Persecutions of Christians by the VHP and Bajrang Dal groups from various parts of the country have been reported.

After the Orissa violence where hundreds of Churches were burnt and Christians were murdered, Bajrang Dal and VHP groups shifted its attention to South India, where the ongoing violence in Mangalore and other areas have been deplored countrywide.

In Mangalore, schools and shops remained shut and vehicles kept off the roads following group clashes and demonstrations by Christian groups to protest attacks on them.

The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) yesterday said that there are “serious lapses” on the part of the Karnataka government in controlling the attacks on churches and prayer halls throughout the State.

It has sought the arrest of Bajrang Dal State convener Mahendra Kumar, who has claimed responsibility for many of the attacks, and action against the police personnel, who allegedly abetted violence.

Recent anti–Christian violence in Karnataka – and in the eastern state of Orissa – have led to calls for a ban on Bajrang Dal and another militant Hindu organisation, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP, World Hindu Council).