BANGALORE: “The State government has totally failed in providing protection to the places of worship of the minorities in the state despite over a thousand churches being attacked in the state during the past two years. The fact that there has been a breakdown of the law and order machinery in the state is amply proved by the shameless statement made by the home minister recently on behalf of the government,†alleged Justice MF Saldanha, former High Court Judge and the President of Transparency International’s Karnataka Chapter.
In a letter to Home Minister VS Acharya, Justice Saldanha said “When the Home Minister has said that it was impossible for the government to provide protection to churches and other places of worship and that the respective communities themselves must take up the responsibility of providing protection, it was tantamount to the fact that the government has refused to provide protection to the backward classes.â€
Justice Saldanha further said “It is regretting that the government which failed to provide protection to the people has said that the police strength in the state was inadequate. This is only a ploy to divert public attention.†He said Karnataka has superseded even Orissa and Gujarat in the attacks on places of worships and minorities. “An investigative report by the Transparency International in this regard has proved that the State’s Home Department and Police Department is to be blamed for such incidents more than the miscreants who execute such acts,†Justice Saldanha informed.
“The minorities of the state have lost faith in the police department after the role of the police in most of the attacks on churches has been proved,†Justice Saldanha said adding over 20 false criminal cases have been filed against the authorities of Karavali Ale which has been trying to exposé the truth behind such incidents.
“A Transparency International report has proved that Seetaram, the chief of Karavali Ale who is moving from one court to another for hearing in connection with the various cases, has the fear of a fake police encounter, rather than the life threats from communal elements. The Home Minister and his sons are to be blamed for this.â€
“ Here it is worth recalling a High Court order that directed the government to pay compensation to Seetaram for detaining him illegally for nearly a month,†Justice Saldanha said adding the incident has proved that the State Government was not committed to protect the Freedom of Press.
Taking a dig at the police department and the government, Justice Saldanha said “A government which is incapable of maintaining law and order has no moral authority to continue in power. It would be more appropriate to say that the government is incapable of providing protection to the people,†he said.
Justice Saldanha further said the home minister will have to given an explanation to the public consequent upon reading the letter. The minister’s reaction would be taken cognizance of and then the governor’s attention would be drawn on the issue to discus whether the state needed such a government, Justice Saldanha said adding in case the government failed to respond to this letter of public interest, then it has to be dismissed in accordance to the provisions in the Constitution.
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