Christians take out rally demanding protection

Christians in Karnataka took a protest rally voicing their discomfort over the growing violence on churches and places of worship from recently.

A large number of people joined the 'silent march' in Mysore on Saturday from St. Philomena's Church to Gandhi Square. The Christians carrying placards and banners expressed disapproval over two separate attacks on the eve of Republic Day in Mysore and Bhatkal.

Subsequently, Global Council of Indian Christian (GCIC) submitted a memorandum to Karnataka Governor Hans Raj Bhardwaj apprising that "in the past ten days alone, there have been four attacks against Christians in the state."

"It appears that the attacks are a concerted and planned effort to target the Christian community. It is distressing to note that very little is being done to prevent such atrocities and bring to book the culprits indulging in these," stated the memorandum.

The advocacy group said it documented over 159 criminal attacks faced by Christians in 2009 alone, out of which 72 are documented from Karnataka.

"These type of attacks are not merely an attack on the minorities, but a threat to the secular fabric of our society, the human rights, and the inalienable right to freedom to profess and propagate one's religion, a right guaranteed to every citizen by the Constitution of India," said the statement signed by GCIC President Sajan George and Catholic Bishop of Mysore Thomas Vazhapilly.

The precision of the timing of the attacks on churches in Mangalore and other Karnataka districts, they said, shows a clear diabolic pattern emerging, threatening to corrode the roots of democracy and the rule of law.

They demanded, "What we want is not sympathy, empty assurances, but protection and justice, which every citizen of this country is entitled to."

"Anything less will send the message that Karnataka is fast slipping into the morass of communal anarchy. This is bound to have an impact on the state's image in the country and the whole world."

The memorandum appealed the governor to direct the police to investigate, identify and take due legal action against those who desecrated the Church at Hinkal on January 24, 2010. Additionally, they asked the state government to extend protection to all minority communities and their institutions.

Earlier, the governor while addressing the Republic Day function in Bangalore, condemned the string of attacks against churches and called for strict action against the perpetrators.

Interestingly, the very next day, on Jan. 27, the Chief Minister of the state BS Yeddyurappa asked to "chop off the hands of church desecrators."

"You may wonder why a chief minister is saying such things. But what can be done when people try to hit at the very basis of our society, that of peace and brotherhood," he told a public meeting in Karwar in Uttara Kannada district.