2008 attacks on Christians in southern Karnataka: Difference between revisions
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==Cause== |
==Cause== |
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The attacks started in response to the allegation by the [[Bajrang Dal]], that [[New Life Fellowship|New Life Fellowship Trust]] were indulging in forceful religious conversion of Hindus and distribution of vulgar literature about Hindu gods and goddesses.<ref>{{cite news |
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The attacks started in response to the allegation by the Bajrang Dal, that [[New Life Fellowship|New Life Fellowship Trust]]‘s distribution of a book, which accused of having some comments against two Hindu Gods and forcing conversion that irked Hindutva advocates in Karnataka. <ref>http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/printarticle.aspx?page=comments&action=add§id=3&contentid=200809192008091903361675194568d35&subsite=0</ref> However, the Bishop of Mangalore Diocese clarified that the Catholic Church has not involved in any forceful religious conversion. <ref>http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/16/stories/2008091659220300.htm</ref>. The initial violence against Christians began in [[Orissa]] during August 2008 where a radical Hindu leader was killed by [[Maoism|Maoists]] rebels. However the Sangh Parivar, a Hindu nationalistic organization, blamed the Christian community for the death. Eventually violence spread from Orissa to other Indian states and Mangalore.<ref>{{cite news |
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|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/16/stories/2008091659220300.htm |
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|title=We have no link with ‘New Life’ |
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|publisher=''[[The Hindu]]'' |
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|accessdate=2008-09-27 |
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|date=[[2008-09-16]]}}</ref> <ref>{{cite news |
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|url=http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=13221&size=A |
|url=http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=13221&size=A |
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|title=Karnataka: 20 churches attacked, Christians accuse police of inaction |
|title=Karnataka: 20 churches attacked, Christians accuse police of inaction |
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==Attacks== |
==Attacks== |
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The attacks started on September 14. A group of youth from the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] (RSS), a Hindu nationalist organization, went inside the chapel of Adoration Monastery of the Sisters of St-Clare in Milagres and in a quick succession they desecrated the tabernacle and the Eucharist, the monstrance, a crucifix, the oil lamps, the vases on the altar and a few statues of saints. Eye witnesses in the chapel said they were armed with big stones and heavy sticks. Some of the faithful tried to stop them but were beaten. Police arrested five young members of the Bajrang Dal, who were behind the attacks. Miscreants pelted stones on the chapel of Padua Pre-university College, a Christian college, located at Nantoor at around 8.30pm, IST. |
The attacks started on September 14. A group of youth from the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] (RSS), a Hindu nationalist organization, went inside the chapel of [[Adoration Monastery]] of the Sisters of St-Clare in Milagres and in a quick succession they desecrated the tabernacle and the Eucharist, the monstrance, a crucifix, the oil lamps, the vases on the altar and a few statues of saints. Eye witnesses in the chapel said they were armed with big stones and heavy sticks. Some of the faithful tried to stop them but were beaten. Police arrested five young members of the Bajrang Dal, who were behind the attacks. Miscreants pelted stones on the chapel of Padua Pre-university College, a Christian college, located at Nantoor at around 8.30pm, IST. |
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On September 15, police reports confirmed that Our Lady's grotto at Vijayamarie Technical Institute, properties at the Infant Jesus Higher Primary School, Mary Hill and Mary Hill convent were damaged by the miscreants on the night of September 14. In Kalladka, Souza Textile owner and his wife were attacked by unidentified people.<ref>{{cite news |
On September 15, police reports confirmed that Our Lady's grotto at Vijayamarie Technical Institute, properties at the Infant Jesus Higher Primary School, Mary Hill and Mary Hill convent were damaged by the miscreants on the night of September 14. In Kalladka, Souza Textile owner and his wife were attacked by unidentified people.<ref>{{cite news |
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|publisher=''[[Deccan Herald]]'' |
|publisher=''[[Deccan Herald]]'' |
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|date=[[2008-09-19]] |
|date=[[2008-09-19]] |
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|accessdate=2008-09-27}}</ref> The [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Mangalore]] said it would distance itself from the New Life Fellowship Trust. But this was opposed by [[Margaret Alva]], General Secretary of the [[All India Congress Committee]]. She said "Christians were a microscopic minority in India. We must put aside the differences between our various sects and come together to fight fascist forces.". Former defence minister [[George Fernandes]], a [[Mangalorean Catholics|Mangalorean Catholic]], wrote to B. S. Yeddyurappa urging him to restore peace and challenging radicals to prove alleged conversions.<ref>{{cite news |
|accessdate=2008-09-27}}</ref> The [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Mangalore]] said it would distance itself from the New Life Fellowship Trust. But this was opposed by [[Margaret Alva]], General Secretary of the [[All India Congress Committee]], presided over by Sonia Gandhi, an Italian Catholic. She said "Christians were a microscopic minority in India. We must put aside the differences between our various sects and come together to fight fascist forces.". Former defence minister [[George Fernandes]], a [[Mangalorean Catholics|Mangalorean Catholic]], wrote to B. S. Yeddyurappa urging him to restore peace and challenging radicals to prove alleged conversions.<ref>{{cite news |
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|url=http://www.theindiancatholic.com/report.asp?nid=11362 |
|url=http://www.theindiancatholic.com/report.asp?nid=11362 |
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|title=Fernandes speaks for Mangalore Christians |
|title=Fernandes speaks for Mangalore Christians |
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Revision as of 09:04, 11 October 2008
 | This article may be affected by a current event. Information in this article may change rapidly as the event progresses. Initial news reports may be unreliable. The last updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (September 2008) |
The September 2008 attacks on Christians in Mangalore includes a wave of attacks directed against Christian churches and prayer halls in the Indian city of Mangalore by the suspected Hindu nationalist organization Bajrang Dal. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government under B. S. Yeddyurappa was also accused of involvement.
The attacks started in response to the allegation by the Bajrang Dal that the New Life Fellowship Trust, a non-denominational Christian Church, was indulging in forceful religious conversion of Hindus.
Cause
The attacks started in response to the allegation by the Bajrang Dal, that New Life Fellowship Trust were indulging in forceful religious conversion of Hindus and distribution of vulgar literature about Hindu gods and goddesses.[1] [2]
Attacks
The attacks started on September 14. A group of youth from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist organization, went inside the chapel of Adoration Monastery of the Sisters of St-Clare in Milagres and in a quick succession they desecrated the tabernacle and the Eucharist, the monstrance, a crucifix, the oil lamps, the vases on the altar and a few statues of saints. Eye witnesses in the chapel said they were armed with big stones and heavy sticks. Some of the faithful tried to stop them but were beaten. Police arrested five young members of the Bajrang Dal, who were behind the attacks. Miscreants pelted stones on the chapel of Padua Pre-university College, a Christian college, located at Nantoor at around 8.30pm, IST.
On September 15, police reports confirmed that Our Lady's grotto at Vijayamarie Technical Institute, properties at the Infant Jesus Higher Primary School, Mary Hill and Mary Hill convent were damaged by the miscreants on the night of September 14. In Kalladka, Souza Textile owner and his wife were attacked by unidentified people.[3]
Reactions
In response to the alleged forcible conversions, Viswa Hindu Parishat (VHP) gave a 3-month deadline for New Life Fellowship Trust (NLFT) to stop all conversion activities in Mangalore.[4] The Roman Catholic Diocese of Mangalore said it would distance itself from the New Life Fellowship Trust. But this was opposed by Margaret Alva, General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee, presided over by Sonia Gandhi, an Italian Catholic. She said "Christians were a microscopic minority in India. We must put aside the differences between our various sects and come together to fight fascist forces.". Former defence minister George Fernandes, a Mangalorean Catholic, wrote to B. S. Yeddyurappa urging him to restore peace and challenging radicals to prove alleged conversions.[5]
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on September 14 evening spoke to Karnataka Governor Rameshwar Thakur and Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on the phone from his Delhi residence and took stock of the situation in the state in the aftermath of the attacks on churches and Christians earlier in the day. According to the Prime Minister's Office, the prime minister expressed shock at the attacks on Christian prayer halls and churches. He directed the chief minister to take immediate steps to provide ample protection to religious institutions and maintain communal harmony.[6]
See also
References
- ^ "We have no link with 'New Life'". The Hindu. 2008-09-16. Retrieved 2008-09-27.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Nirmala Carvalho (2008-09-15). "Karnataka: 20 churches attacked, Christians accuse police of inaction". AsiaNews. Retrieved 2008-09-27.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Mangalore: Situation Turns Violent at Kulshekar, Vamanjoor : Police Cane Mob, Hundreds Injured". Daijiworld Media Pvt Ltd Mangalore. 2008-09-15. Retrieved 2008-09-27.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Stop conversion activities, VHP tells New Life Trust". Deccan Herald. 2008-09-19. Retrieved 2008-09-27.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Fernandes speaks for Mangalore Christians". Indian Catholic. 2008-09-20. Retrieved 2008-09-27.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Over A Dozen Churches, Prayer Halls Attacked In Coastal Karnataka". Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (C.B.C.I). 2008-09-15. Retrieved 2008-09-27.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)
External links
- Mangalore: Attack on Christian Prayer Centres - Photo Album 1 from Daijiworld Media Pvt Ltd Mangalore
- "Mangalore shut as Christians protest attack on church". Deccan Herald. 2008-09-15. Retrieved 2008-09-20.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - "Attack on churches: Violent protests in Mangalore". Rediff.com India Limited. 2008-09-15. Retrieved 2008-09-20.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)