The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : ‘Religion is being used to gain political mileage’

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Friday, Sep 19, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

‘Religion is being used to gain political mileage’

Staff Reporter

Writers, artistes, activists accuse Bajrang Dal of inciting people

BANGALORE: Several writers, theatre artistes and other activists on Thursday joined the ranks of those condemning the State Government’s alleged support to the perpetrators of attacks on Christian prayer halls in Mangalore and other parts.

The State Government cannot defend for political reasons the Bajrang Dal activists who have destroyed peace in the State on the specious ground of forced conversions, they said at a protest organised under the banner of Samudaya.

Director Girish Kasaravalli, academician G. Ramakrishna and Backward Classes leader Narasimhaiah were among those who participated in the protest.

Questioning Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and a particular writer’s support to the violence, Mr. Narasimhaiah said conversions were nothing new as they had been happening for the past several centuries.

“Conversions are a result of personal experience and thinking. If there is use of force, it should be dealt with in a legal way and not by taking the law into one’s hands,” he said.

Mr. Kasaravalli said he was aghast over the way religious sentiments were being aroused to meet political ends. “Religion is that we rely on to attain peace of mind. It is unfortunate that this is being used to create a division in society only to gain political mileage,” he said. Rather than support organisations that disturb peace, the State Government should address the economic and social issues that force people to convert.

Mr. Narasimhaiah wanted the State Government to take action against Bajrang Dal leader Mahendra Kumar whom he accused of inciting people to vandalise religious places in Mangalore over false pretexts.

He said Mr. Kumar does not have any proof of forced conversion and the booklet he claims to have been used for such a purpose was printed by a press that had closed down over a decade ago. “The booklet in Mr. Kumar’s possession seems fabricated,” Mr. Narasimhaiah claimed.

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