B'lore: Conversion only Excuse to Attack Christians - Justice M F Saldanha Report and pics from Charles Gomes Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)
Bangalore, Sep 19: Leaders of various Christian organizations met the state home minister Dr V S Acharya and chief minister B S Yeddyurappa at the Vidhana Soudha here on Thursday September 18, in connection with the recent unfortunate incidents that have rocked Mangalore and surrounding areas. Justice M F Saldanha, former Karnataka High Court judge, urged the government to act more responsibly and wanted the use of the excuse of conversion to stop immediately. He asked the home minister to act impartially to restore confidence in the government, which the minorities have lost after the recent developments. He drew the minister's attention to the fact that the incidents that occured in Mangalore have already damaged the state's image. He also questioned as to why the policemen are arresting victims instead of the real culprits, who have openly admitted that they were responsible for such acts. Former DG and IGP of Karnataka F T R Colaco asked the government, as to why they keep on harping about conversions, in spite of the fact that there has not been even a single proof. He demanded the immediate arrest of the miscreants, besides urging the government to release innocent people who have been arrested. Harry D'Souza, general secretary of Karnataka Christian Social Welfare Association, submitted a memorandum to the government. The home minister and the chief Minister said, that a COD probe has been ordered. They assured, that all the culprits responsible for the illegal acts will be arrested and that the government would do everything possible to normalise the law and order situationin the affected areas. DG IGP Sri Kumar, Bangalore police commissioner Shankar Bidari and home secretary Tripati were present. B G Koshi, senior vice-president of Karnataka Christian Welfare Association, Charles Gomes , Chairman of the Federation of Konkani Catholic Associations (FKCA), Karnataka and Albina Vaz, vice-chairman of FKCA, Gabriel Vaz, political editor of Economic Times, bishop of CSI church, priests and nuns were also present. Earlier, a delegation of Christians met the National Human Rights commission and National Minority commission.
