Christians in Shimoga to take out silent march for Peace

The Christians of Shimoga district in Karnataka will take out a silent procession on August 6 in Shimoga city seeking peace and protection for the community from harassment by communal outfits, District Christian Federation president Yesudas has said.

Recently Bajrang Dal activists had protested in front of the Sacred Heart Cathedral here opposing the image of Jesus Christ on hand books distributed by the Sacred Heart PU College, Yesudas told reporters here on Monday that unnecessary confusion was being created by repeatedly accusing the community of indulging in conversion activities.

A strong 10,000 members of the community across the district are expected to take part in the procession which would start from the Sacred Heart Cathedral and culminate at the Deputy Commissioner (DC) office via Nehru Road.

A memorandum would be submitted to the Prime Minister, Governor, Chief Minister and the DCM through DC T K Anilkumar. The Congress, JD(S), SP and progressive organisations, including KKSV, DSS and CLF, had extended support to the procession, he said.

“Spreading the message of our religion is not a crime and the Johova Witness faction might be distributing literature on Christianity. But we are not engaged in forcible conversion. The majority of students in our school are Hindus. We preach religious principles only to the Christian students, and that too after school. Peace–loving Christian community has been hurt by the attitude of Bajrang Dal activists and we seek the support of all secular and progressive people in condemning it,” he said.

The Sacred Heart Cathedral parish priest Father Jesu Nathan stated that religious classes would be shifted from the school to the church if necessary. Condemning the act of the Bajrang Dal as anti–national, he solicited the cooperation of all secular forces in maintaining religious harmony, national integrity and sovereignty.