Karnataka Christian political leaders condemn relentless attacks on the community

Prominent Christian leaders in Karnataka joined hands to condemn the relentless unceasing attacks by the religious radicals against the members of Christian community, including pastors, priests and nuns, across the state in the last 18 months.

Among the Christian political leaders who voiced against the attacks were the rightwing Bharatiya Janata Party Member of Parliament from Bangalore, H.T. Sangliana, Janata Dal (Secular) general secretary Philomena Peiris, Janata Dal (United) vice–president Michael Fernandes and others who gathered under the aegis of Karnataka Chraista Sangha (Karnataka State Christian Association).

Addressing reporters on Monday, members of the association, led by H T Sangliana, appealed to the government to stop such atrocities against Christians and their places of worship that have been taking place on the pretext of fighting conversion.

"Churches have been vandalised and religious books destroyed by members of political parties who have taken law into their own hands. The atrocities are only rising."

"Conversions are happening everywhere and in all religions. But Christians anywhere in the country have never used force to convert individuals. It’s a wrong notion to say that someone converted to some other religion. In fact people convert on their own free will. No conversion can take place by force," said Sangliana.

The Christian leader also accused the State Government and the police for failing to protect Christian’s in spite of over 50 different cases of atrocities and acts of barbarism taking place against the Christian community.

"The Christian community is involved in welfare activities, regardless of caste, creed and religion of the beneficiaries. But it is sad to know that we are forced to go to the streets to appeal to the conscience of the public at large in the face of unceasing attacks against our community," said, Karnataka Chraista Sangha president Benedict Balu.

Michael Fernandes, the JD (U) vice–president questioned how two of three per cent of Christian population in the entire nation was capable of converting 85 per cent of the people belonging to other religions.

The members will organise an awareness rally from Trinity Circle to Raj Bhavan–the Governor's house, in Bangalore on September 22 from 10am to 12 noon to seek support and justice for the Christian community.