Anti-Christian violence in Karnataka
Encyclopedia
The Anti-Christian violence in Karnataka in 2008 was a wave of attacks directed against Christian churches and prayer halls in Karnataka
by the Bajrang Dal
.
book containing inflammatory material denigrating Hindu gods and which irked Hindu groups. The book, originally published as Ruju Darshini in Telugu
by the 'Karunamaya Ministries' more than a decade earlier had in fact been banned after it had sparked off communal riots in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh in 1998. Rev. Paravasthu Suryanarayana, the pastor of the 'Karunamaya Ministries' is reported to be the author of the Telugu original. The book is said to have been translated by a certain Sriramreddy of Bangalore, and revised by Rev Samson S Malekar of Davangere. A G Prakash of Suvarta Sevadal, Bellary reportedly edited it. Rev. Paravasthu Suryanarayana's son, P Arun Kumar who manages the publications of the Karunamaya Ministries remarked
The New Life Church however, flatly denies all allegations of publishing, printing or distributing the book.
, Udupi, Chikkamagaluru
, and in other districts of Karnataka. The Assailants had damaged Catholic Church
es, Protestant churches and Kingdom Hall
s belonging to Jehovah’s Witnesses groups. The violence soon spread to Kolar
, Dakshina Kannada
and minor damage was reported from the state border of Kasaragod
in Kerala
.
On 15 September, violence erupted in the aftermath of serial attacks on churches and missionary prayer halls in the coastal areas of Karnataka escalated as four persons were attacked and Christians resorted to violent protests in which more than 40 persons were injured.
On 21 September, two more churches in Bangalore were attacked.
Iron rods were used to break into a church in Mariyannana Palya. The eucharist
was desecrated, and furniture damaged. The donation chest was broken, and Rs. 1,000 [$20] stolen. In all, the cost of the damage was Rs. 18,000 [$360].
The second attack took place in Rajarajeshwari Nagar
in west Bangalore. The statue of Virgin Mary outside a church was damaged as some people pelted stones.
.
.
The Bajrang Dal group claims that Hindus are being illegally converted to Christianity in the area. They claim that the Christian missionaries are running a large scale conversion program with a long term plan to divide India on the basis of religion. The ban on catholic church in China is quoted as an example of the intentions of the church. However, the recent anti-Christian violence in Karnataka and Orissa
have led to calls for a ban on Bajrang Dal and another Hindu organisation, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP, World Hindu Council).
of Karnataka, said the attacks were provoked by conversions of Hindus to Christianity
. He also alleged that a Protestant group had distributed literature which insulted Hindu gods. The Chief Minister however clarified that he was not defending the actions of those who attacked prayer halls and churches in Mangalore, Udupi and Chikmagalur on Sunday. Later, the Christian leaders denied it and commented that Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP) was inciting violence rather than working to calm the situation. On the other hand, the Central Government had strongly criticized and sent showcase notices to the state Government for not solving the issue effectively.
According to National Commission for Minorities
that the Karnataka government of serious lapses in handling the situation and they found directly responsible for allowing violence to spread, and said the police failed to solve the issue effectively as the violence continues. They also clarified that there were no reported complaints of forced conversion registered in the state.
On 18 September, the Central Government issued an advisory under Article 355 of the constitution to the Orissa and Karnataka governments. Directives issued under Article 355, if unheeded, become a prelude to invoking President's Rule
. The next day, the centre issued a separate and sterner advisory to Karnataka demanding urgent steps to restore peace. However, the Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa blamed lapses on the part of the police for these attacks, and directed the home minister and DGP
to act against jurisdictional police officers.
A high-level official team headed by Union special secretary (internal security) M L Kumawat was rushed to Mangalore and other affected places in the state. Senior Congress Party leaders Veerappa Moily
, Margaret Alva
and Janardhana Poojary
also visited the state.
On 22 September, the Archbishop of Bangalore has spoken his reaction regarding the issue to the Chief Minister B. S. Yeddyurappa.
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
by the Bajrang Dal
Bajrang Dal
The Bajrang Dal , a hardline and militant Hindu organization in India, is the youth wing of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and is based on the ideology of Hindutva. Founded on 1 October 1984 in Uttar Pradesh, India, it has since spread throughout India...
.
Background
The attacks started in response to allegations of forced conversions, land grabbing and distribution of inflammatory literature targeting Hindu gods by the New Life Church - a fringe Protestant group operating in the state. The Catholic churches while denying any association with the group have joined the Hindus in condemning the activities of the New Life Church. The denials of New Life Church however, has been seen as "unconvincing" so far At the same time, the Bishop of Mangalore Diocese reiterated that the Catholic Church has never been involved in forced conversions.Satya Darshini
At the heart of the attacks were charges of the distribution of the Satya Darshini, a KannadaKannada language
Kannada or , is a language spoken in India predominantly in the state of Karnataka. Kannada, whose native speakers are called Kannadigas and number roughly 50 million, is one of the 30 most spoken languages in the world...
book containing inflammatory material denigrating Hindu gods and which irked Hindu groups. The book, originally published as Ruju Darshini in Telugu
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
by the 'Karunamaya Ministries' more than a decade earlier had in fact been banned after it had sparked off communal riots in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh in 1998. Rev. Paravasthu Suryanarayana, the pastor of the 'Karunamaya Ministries' is reported to be the author of the Telugu original. The book is said to have been translated by a certain Sriramreddy of Bangalore, and revised by Rev Samson S Malekar of Davangere. A G Prakash of Suvarta Sevadal, Bellary reportedly edited it. Rev. Paravasthu Suryanarayana's son, P Arun Kumar who manages the publications of the Karunamaya Ministries remarked
The New Life Church however, flatly denies all allegations of publishing, printing or distributing the book.
The violence
On 14 September 2008, about 20 churches were vandalized in MangaloreSeptember 2008 attacks on Christians in Mangalore
The 2008 attacks on Christians in southern Karnataka refer to the wave of attacks directed against Christian churches and prayer halls in the Indian city of Mangalore and the surrounding area of southern Karnataka in September 2008 by the Hindu nationalist organization Bajrang Dal and the Sri Ram...
, Udupi, Chikkamagaluru
Chikkamagaluru
Chikmagalur is a town located in Chikkamagaluru district in the Indian state of Karnataka. Located in the foothills of Mullayanagiri range chikmagalur is famous for the coffee, it is known as the coffee land of karnataka. it has international school called ambar valley and a star resort by name...
, and in other districts of Karnataka. The Assailants had damaged Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
es, Protestant churches and Kingdom Hall
Kingdom Hall
A Kingdom Hall is a place of worship used by Jehovah's Witnesses. The term was first suggested in 1935 by Joseph Franklin Rutherford, then president of the Watch Tower Society, for a building in Hawaii...
s belonging to Jehovah’s Witnesses groups. The violence soon spread to Kolar
Kolar
Kolara is a city in the South Indian state of Karnataka. It is the headquarters of Kolar District. It is known for being one of the gold mining sites in India....
, Dakshina Kannada
Dakshina Kannada
- Geography :The district geography consists of sea shore in the west and Western Ghats in the east. The major rivers are Netravathi, Kumaradhara, Phalguni, Shambhavi, Nandini or Pavanje and Payaswini which all join Arabian sea. Vast areas of evergreen forests which once covered this district, have...
and minor damage was reported from the state border of Kasaragod
Kasaragod district
Kasaragod District is one of the districts of the Indian state of Kerala. Kasaragod District was organised as a separate district on 24 May 1984...
in Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
.
On 15 September, violence erupted in the aftermath of serial attacks on churches and missionary prayer halls in the coastal areas of Karnataka escalated as four persons were attacked and Christians resorted to violent protests in which more than 40 persons were injured.
On 21 September, two more churches in Bangalore were attacked.
Iron rods were used to break into a church in Mariyannana Palya. The eucharist
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
was desecrated, and furniture damaged. The donation chest was broken, and Rs. 1,000 [$20] stolen. In all, the cost of the damage was Rs. 18,000 [$360].
The second attack took place in Rajarajeshwari Nagar
Rajarajeshwari Nagar
Rajarajeshwari Nagar is a locality in South Bangalore, India is located in the southern part of Bangalore along the Mysore road. Which has a famous temple called Rajarajeshwari temple. The entire area is divided into five stages and it is next to green belt. Coconut groves and eucalyptus...
in west Bangalore. The statue of Virgin Mary outside a church was damaged as some people pelted stones.
.
Bajrang Dal's involvement
Mahendra Kumar, the state convener for the Bajrang Dal group, claimed responsibility for the attacks. He was arrested on 20 September, after the state government was sternly admonished by the Central GovernmentGovernment of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
.
The Bajrang Dal group claims that Hindus are being illegally converted to Christianity in the area. They claim that the Christian missionaries are running a large scale conversion program with a long term plan to divide India on the basis of religion. The ban on catholic church in China is quoted as an example of the intentions of the church. However, the recent anti-Christian violence in Karnataka and Orissa
Orissa
Orissa , officially Odisha since Nov 2011, is a state of India, located on the east coast of India, by the Bay of Bengal. It is the modern name of the ancient nation of Kalinga, which was invaded by the Maurya Emperor Ashoka in 261 BC. The modern state of Orissa was established on 1 April...
have led to calls for a ban on Bajrang Dal and another Hindu organisation, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP, World Hindu Council).
Government faces criticism
B.S. Yeddyurappa, the Chief MinisterChief Minister
A Chief Minister is the elected head of government of a sub-national state, provinces of Sri Lanka, Pakistan, notably a state of India, a territory of Australia or a British Overseas Territory that has attained self-government...
of Karnataka, said the attacks were provoked by conversions of Hindus to Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
. He also alleged that a Protestant group had distributed literature which insulted Hindu gods. The Chief Minister however clarified that he was not defending the actions of those who attacked prayer halls and churches in Mangalore, Udupi and Chikmagalur on Sunday. Later, the Christian leaders denied it and commented that Bharatiya Janata Party
Bharatiya Janata Party
The Bharatiya Janata Party ,; translation: Indian People's Party) is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Indian National Congress. Established in 1980, it is India's second largest political party in terms of representation in the parliament...
(BJP) was inciting violence rather than working to calm the situation. On the other hand, the Central Government had strongly criticized and sent showcase notices to the state Government for not solving the issue effectively.
According to National Commission for Minorities
National Commission for Minorities
The National Commission for Minorities is a body constituted by the Government of India to monitor and evaluate the progress of people classified as minorities by the Indian government. Essentially the minorities in India consist of followers of all religions other than Hinduism and weaker...
that the Karnataka government of serious lapses in handling the situation and they found directly responsible for allowing violence to spread, and said the police failed to solve the issue effectively as the violence continues. They also clarified that there were no reported complaints of forced conversion registered in the state.
On 18 September, the Central Government issued an advisory under Article 355 of the constitution to the Orissa and Karnataka governments. Directives issued under Article 355, if unheeded, become a prelude to invoking President's Rule
President's rule
President's rule is the term used in India when a state legislature is dissolved or suspended and the state is placed under direct federal rule...
. The next day, the centre issued a separate and sterner advisory to Karnataka demanding urgent steps to restore peace. However, the Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa blamed lapses on the part of the police for these attacks, and directed the home minister and DGP
Director General of Police
In India the director general of police or inspector general of police is a three-star rank and the highest ranking police officer in Indian States & Union Territories. All DGPs/IGPs are Indian Police Service officers. The DGP/IGP is usually the head of the state police force in every Indian state...
to act against jurisdictional police officers.
A high-level official team headed by Union special secretary (internal security) M L Kumawat was rushed to Mangalore and other affected places in the state. Senior Congress Party leaders Veerappa Moily
Veerappa Moily
Moodbidri Veerappa Moily is the current Minister of Corporate Affairs in the Indian government. Moily was elected as MP of the Chickballapur district by a wide margin in 2009. He currently serves as the All India Congress Committee General Secretary in charge of Andhra Pradesh...
, Margaret Alva
Margaret Alva
Margaret Alva is the Governor of the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Alva became Uttarakhand's first woman governor in July 2009...
and Janardhana Poojary
Janardhana Poojary
B. Janardhana Poojary is a senior politician from Indian National Congress party. He was a former Union Minister and Karnataka's Congress President. During the Prime Ministership of Smt...
also visited the state.
On 22 September, the Archbishop of Bangalore has spoken his reaction regarding the issue to the Chief Minister B. S. Yeddyurappa.
See also
- Anti-Christian violence in IndiaAnti-Christian violence in IndiaAnti-Christian violence in India refers to religiously-motivated violence against Christians in India, usually perpetrated by Hindu nationalists.The acts of violence include arson of churches, re-conversion of Christians to Hinduism by force and threats of physical violence, distribution of...
- September 2008 attacks on Christians in MangaloreSeptember 2008 attacks on Christians in MangaloreThe 2008 attacks on Christians in southern Karnataka refer to the wave of attacks directed against Christian churches and prayer halls in the Indian city of Mangalore and the surrounding area of southern Karnataka in September 2008 by the Hindu nationalist organization Bajrang Dal and the Sri Ram...
External links
- Playing the communal card in India's poll (30 April 2009), Al Jazeera English on youtube.com