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More churches in State attacked

Karnataka Bureau

St. George’s Church in Ujjire, St. Mary’s Church in Kolar targeted

— Photo: SUDIPTO MONDAL

VANDALISED: The pulpit of St. George’s Church in Ujjire that was damaged.

Bangalore: Even as Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa maintains that the recent attacks on institutions of Christian worship are a “backlash” by Hindutva organisations against forced conversion, fresh attacks have taken place in several parts of the State. Christian prayer halls have been vandalised in Ujjire town of Belthangady taluk in Dakshina Kannada, and in Kolar and Chikmagalur districts.

The attacks came three days after Bajrang Dal State unit president Mahesh Kumar’s warning that more attacks would follow Sunday’s violence.

On Wednesday, St. George’s Church in Ujjire town became the 12th Christian institution in the district to be attacked by alleged Hindutva activists.

When The Hindu visited the church it was in a shambles, and the air was heavy with the smell of kerosene. The activists had doused the pulpit and curtains with kerosene and escaped after placing a blazing Bible on top of a table.

Father Mani V.M., priest of the church, said, “Thank God there was no wind to carry the flames to the curtains; otherwise all would have been lost.” He said that the vandals entered the church by breaking the lock on the main door. When nuns came in for prayers early on Wednesday, they found the place desecrated. He also said that neither his nor any other Catholic institution had ever been involved in conversion of any kind in the district. “If we tie up people and ask them to convert, one can use the words ‘forced conversions’. After Sunday’s attacks it is clear to everybody who is using force.”

Tension in Kolar

Tension gripped Kolar town following the desecration of a St. Mary statue on the St. Mary’s Church premises. As news of the attack spread, many, including members of Christian associations, Left and Dalit outfits, gathered at the church.

Led by the main priest of the church, Father Saji Vadakkalath, a large number of people formed a human chain at Mekke Circle condemning the incident. Later, they took out a procession to the Deputy Commissioner’s office where they submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner H.R. Srinivas demanding protection for churches as well as minorities in the district.

In Chikmagalur district, yet another Christian prayer hall was vandalised by a group of persons at Gorigandi near Balehonnur on Tuesday. According to the police, three persons arrived on two motorcycles at about 10 p.m. and broke into the St. Thomas prayer hall after tearing down the signboard. They left after overturning the furniture. The police registered a case after the pastor of the institution lodged a complaint.

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