Over 2000 join protest against Bajrang Dal in Mangalore

Over 2000 people joined the protest rally in Mangalore on Monday to condemn the unwarranted raids on destitute homes run by Christian groups.

About 37 organisations reportedly took part in the rally demanding action against officials of the Women and Child Welfare Department and members of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) who conducted raids on at least three Christian charity homes.

The protesters alleged that the CWC had conducted the raids and registered a case against Christian institutions at the behest of the Bajrang Dal.

Social activist Vincent Alva hit out at the state government for its inaction even as the Bajrang Dal went on spreading rumours and whipping up communal frenzy.

Alva questioned the right of Bajrang Dal activists interfering in the functioning of reputable charity homes run by Christians.

Recalling the 2008 violence in Karnataka, Alva said the culprits who instigated attacks on Christian prayer halls were still roaming free while cases have been registered against innocent Christians. Even a Commission set up to investigate the violence failed to bring out the truth, he said.

Trumped up charges against Christian activists and charitable institutions were all part of a conspiracy, he charged.

Meanwhile, the head of Stella Maris orphanage at Kotekar-Ullal have demanded strong action against the district administration and police who threatened and harassed 41 children who were travelling to their home in Bidar last week.

Stella Maris School Headmistress Sr PF Madtha told media that the Bajrang Dal activists stopped their vehichle and threatened the students by saying that "they will be kidnapped" and "their kidneys removed" if they did not answer to their questions.

Besides traumatising the children, Sr Madtha said the Bajrang Dal activists had made them starve without food or water till 10 pm that day.

The Stella Maris orphanage, started in the year 1938, is managed by the sisters of the Apostolic Carmel congregation who operate at least four orphanages that are recognised by the Backward Community and Minority (BCM) department. More than 15,000 children had in the past benefitted from their study in the orphanages.

Christians have meanwhile submitted a memorandum to the chief minister and the governor demanding action against miscreants attacking Christian workers and organisations on baseless allegations. They have also demanded the safety of Christian institutions in the state.

The Congress, Dalit Sangharsha Samiti, DYFI, Komu Souhardha Vedike, CITU, CPM, SFI, Ahinda, BSP and PUCL were among organisations that participated in Monday's protest.