Bangalore: Christians protest against Somasekhara commission report

Bangalore: Christians protest against Somasekhara commission report

Mangalore Today News Network

Bangalore, Feb 22: It was a show of unity of the Christian community who pledged to carry out peaceful protests till they got justice. Nearly 10,000 people gathered in Bangalore on Monday to express their anger over Justice Somasekhara Commission report on church attacks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After protest meetings in Mangalore and Bangalore, another meeting is planned on February 28 in Belgaum to pressurize the state and central governments to reject the report.

Thousands of people gathered with candelight at St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral Grounds on Monday. Calling on the Christians not to get intimidated by any threats or attacks, Archbishop of Karnataka Region Catholic Bishops’ Council Rev Bernard Moras said: "We are Christians and uphold our constitutional rights. It is the bounden duty of any government to safeguard the constitutional rights of the minorities, which is clearly articulated in our Constitution, para 25. Let us not be intimidated by any threats or attacks. Let us boldly profess, practise and propagate our faith."

He spoke during the protest meet at St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral Grounds organized by Karnataka United Christian Forum for Human Rights.

Stating that there have been 300 attacks since September 2008 across Karnataka, he said the religious sentiments of Christians were hurt and places of worships were vandalized and innocent Christians attacked.

"The attacks were planned and systematically executed __ the miscreants and the organizations had the patronage of the authorities. But the government gave a different interpretation and colouring to the attacks," he said.

The archbishop mentioned that though he had sought an interview with the chief minister for the bishops of Karnataka, he did not get an appointment nor did he receive any response.