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Attacks on Christians, churches continue: Demand for ban on Bajrang Dal |
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With no end to the violence against members of the Chris¬tian community and their institutions in Orissa and Karnataka and the virus spreading to more states like Uttarakhand, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, several parties have demanded a ban on the Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad.
Asking the Karnataka Government to take strict action against all those involved in the communal violence in Karnataka, senior Union Home Ministry officials who visited the state, claimed that the Bajrang Dal elements appeared to be behind the attacks on the minority community. Special Secretary (Internal Security) M.L. Kumawat said, there is a sense of uneasiness in Karnataka and the Christian community is visibly upset and unhap¬py.
There were fresh attacks on churches in Karnataka on Sept. 21. In a bid to mend fences with the Christian community, Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa met the Archbishop of Bangalore Dr. Barnard Moras on Sept. 22. The Archbishop said that he was deeply hurt and saddened by the attacks on the church and the Christian community. He said the attacks on churches are worse than terror.
In Orissa, over one hundred houses were burnt in fresh violence on Sept. 24 and 25. The State Government has asked for more companies of the CRPF to deal with the situation. The Centre has directed the State Government to ensure that the pre¬vailing situation of lawlessness is effectively brought under control. The National Commission for Minorities also pulled up the BJD-BJP coalition for its inability to handle the situation and called the state police ineffective.
In Uttarakhand, two Christians were found murdered at Chhota Rampur on Sept. 22. Chief Minister B.C. Khanduri, taking note of the incident, asked the police to investigate the matter and bring the culprits to book.
In Kerala, two churches were attacked on Sept. 20 night.
There was also an attack on church property in Tamil Nadu. Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi has asked the police to take strict action against the attackers.
Feeling heat, Advani condemns church attacks
With the RSS conveying to the BJP that it does not approve of the violent campaign against Christians in some states, espe¬cially those ruled by the party, the leader of the Opposition L.K. Advani at long last broke his silence on Wednesday, Sept. 24 to condemn the violence in Orissa. He said: “There can be no justification for violence or vandalism in the name of religion.”
Advani who was in Bhubaneshwar chose the time to make his stand clear as Orissa along with Karnataka witnessed attacks on churches.
Advani said: “The killing of Swami Laxmanananda and three others was a provocative incident. At the same time, the violent reaction to this incident was also condemnable. The guilty should not be spared. Such incidents must not be repeated, either in Orissa, or anywhere else.”
Why no action against Raj Thackeray : Bombay High Court
The Bombay High Court has pulled up the Maharashtra Govern¬ment for failing to take action on the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena for its agitation demanding Marathi signboards for all establish¬ments.
If the Government could arrest terrorists, a division bench of Justice J N Patel and Justice K K Tated asked why it could not arrest agitators too. “If you don’t have the political will, then give that message to the people that we cannot do anything. Why has no action been taken against respondent number six (Raj Thackeray)?” Justice Patel said. Justice Patel also asked if these people were “untouchable” for the Government.
The court observed that the various affidavits filed by the state did not speak of the action it would take against the party and Raj Thackeray. The court also asked why the Government had not taken any steps regarding two letters sent by the party. Justice Patel cited the example of emails from terrorists and said the provocative letters from the MNS, too, could instigate riot-like situations in the absence of prompt action by the state.
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