Sunday Worshippers in Belgaum Intimidated by Rama Sene Activists

A pastor and members of his congregation in Belgaum city in Northern Karnataka state were intimidated by a Corporator and more than 200 Hindu ultra-nationalists--Rama Sene activists for conducting worship service in a Corporation Hall on Sunday, the 20th October 2013 even though they have the permission from the Corporation.

A rapidly growing New Life Fellowship Church which has over 200 members in Belgaum city used to hold Sunday services at Methodist Church Campus near the City Civil Court in the city; however, as the congregation continues to grow, the Pastor K.J. Cherian, 60, and the church leaders approached the officials of the Corporation Hall at Tilakawadi are. They were given the permission to hold Sunday services for the next 52 weeks with an advance payment of Rs.75,000/- (Seventy five thousand rupees only).

To this effect, the Commissioner of Belgaum Corporation too had prepared the necessary order, but have not put in his signature on the agreement document as the office remained closed due to Dasara Holidays. Meanwhile, the Corporation Commissioner also got transferred but the officials told them to go ahead with the meetings, according to CT sources.

Upon the assurance from the officials, the church service was held on Sunday, the 20th October 2013 morning. When the service was on, the local Corporator, Mr. Deepak Jamkhandi, along with Rama Sene activists and Tilakawadi Police Inspector came and asked the pastor to produce the relevant Order issued by the Corporation permitting them to conduct their worship service in the Hall.

The source said that even though the advance payment receipt was shown and was verified by the officials, the corporator and his accomplishes were not satisfied; they started intimidating the pastor and his congregation.

During this, suddenly Sriram Sene, numbering about 200 people also appeared and joined others in intimidating the Christians. Somehow, a police inspector controlled the situation.

The incident was well covered by the local TV channels. The church officials approached the Deputy Commissioner in charge of the district and submitted a memorandum requesting him to intervene so that such incident will not be repeated.

Violence against Christians have intensified in Karnataka state after changing of the government, which prompted Dr. Sajan George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christian (GCIC) to write a letter to the state's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to intervene.

Just in the last four months, the GCIC recorded 27 acts of violence against Christians, compared to four between January and June.