MANGALORE : The Justice BK Somashekhar Commission probing into the church attack cases, in its interim report submitted to the state government on Monday has observed the role of the organizations like the VHP, Bhajrangdal and the Sri Rama Sene in the attacks on churches and Christian prayer halls in several places of DK including Mangalore, Udupi, Chikmagalur, Davangere, Bellary, Bangalore, Kolar and Chikkaballapur.
The report has mentioned that even the police were to be blamed for the attacks. It may be recalled here that hundreds of Christians while deposing before the Commission had submitted an affidavit in which they had highlighted the role of the then SP in the attacks.
Now all eyes are on the government waiting for the action which it would initiate against the organizations as well as the police whose role in the attacks, have been highlighted.
The Commission, in its report said several past incidents wherein some Christian organizations resorted to conversions by taking locals into confidence and also the allegation that Hindu Gods wee being offended, had led to the attacks.
The Commission has even pointed out that the police had used force, including lathi and tear gas against Christian members who were protesting the attacks, injuring several of them, while also instilling fears in them. The district administration had also not tackled the situation effectively, the Commission observed.
The Commission has also made certain recommendations to the government including provision of suitable protection to all places of worship and their institutions in the state particularly in districts where churches have been attacked.
The Commission has made as many as 20 recommendations in its report. It has suggested that the intelligence wing of the government should have requisite staff and equipped with necessary infrastructure; it has also suggested framing of suitable law to prevent atrocities on any individual in the name of religion or community and to restrict any communal organization from offending another religion and acting accordingly, through the existing rules or by framing new rules for the same. It has also suggested banning of any media including publications, handouts, books and literature that write against religious interests or offend any religious sentiments.
Hearing continues
The Commission continued its hearing into the church attack case on Monday. A certain Subhaschandra who had filed an affidavit deposed before the Commission, while the other 29 witnesses abstained from yesterday’s sessions despite the Commission issuing summons to them. Justice Somashekhar said the witnesses would be summoned in the days to come if found necessary.
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