Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Mar 27: The diocese of Mangaluru on Friday March 27 organized a protest condemning the atrocities against Christian community reported throughout the country in the past few months. The protest was held in front of the DC's office here.
Addressing the protest, social activist Roman Lobo said, "Exploitation and attacks on Christians are continuing. Christians are being insulted and churches are being attacked, and ultimately, Christians are tagged and accused of conversion. If we observe closely, we can see that these continuous attacks on churches are taking place from past two months. If we contemplate on this, we can understand that there is a planned strategy behind this.
"According to a survey by the Catholic Sabha, throughout India 7,000 cases of atrocities were reported against minorties in 2014, and 396 prayer centres were attacked or vandalized. According to a survey by Komu Souharda Vedike, from past nine months, 100 cases of attacks on minorities were reported in Karnataka. Prior to Delhi election, six churches were attacked there. There is a planned strategy behind this," he said. He also narrated a list of attacks and atrocities on Christians reported from different parts of the country to corroborate his claim.
"Our PM was silent on this issue, though stones were pelted on churches and educational institutions like schools were burnt. After the Delhi election results, the PM broke his silence," he added.
"Christians provide education and selfless service. They want our dollar, pound and riyal currencies and then they pelt stones on our churches. Is it a mistake to serve or provide education? There are only 2.5 percent of Christians in India - merely 3 crores. Just think - if all our Christian educational institutions had converted as alleged, the Christian population would have been more than 50 crore. Instead, our population is decreasing from 2.5 percent to 2 percent," he added.
Referring to statements on Mother Theresa by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat that she served the poor in order to convert, he said, "Mother Theresa did not convert but she transformed people by her service and served the destitutes, poor and the needy. Without considering their religion, she made them true human beings through her service."
He further added, "All political parties are the same. Why do you allow this to happen? What have we done? This is a symbolic protest. In future we will hold a massive protest and we will also give answer to these atrocities by various programmes within the purview of law.
"In 2008, when churches were attacked in Mangaluru, Somashekar Commission was formed from our tax money, but we all know what happened. When MLA J R Lobo wanted new commission, all other representatives wanted him to be silent because it was a finished matter," he said.
"We are all Indians. We have offered education and service to society. Stop punishing us. Do not segregate Christians from India's mainstream," he urged.
Nelson Monis in his address said, "No religion or religious scripture provokes people or preaches hatred. Every religion preaches 'love your god' and love others, and foster brotherhood. No religion preaches violence.
"The more you threaten us, the stronger we will get. Hinduism says 'sarve jana sukhino bhavantu', then why do they insult and make derogatory statements on Christians? We never attacked any religious centre nor insulted anyone. We treat everyone as human beings. We can tolerate anything but not insult to our faith," he asserted.
"Recently the PM said that Constitution is one for all and all are Indians - This should not be mere words but be implemented too. THe Indian Constitution has provided us religious freedom and liberty to follow any faith. Who are they to tell us?
Speaking on the contribution of Christian community to society, he said, "Christians have provided education and thereby empowered women. When there were practices like Sati system and Devdasi system, Christians brought about a revolution. When mental patients were neglected, Christians through their service showed even they were human beings by setting up centres for destitutes. When education was limited only to upper class, Christian institutions provided education to all and service to poor. For Christians, service is important and not conversion. There are several Christians institutions and thousands obtaining education, but they are not getting converted."
He condemned gang-rape of a nun in Kolkata, he said, "No one can destroy the principles of Christians. Though religions centres may be destroyed, you cannot destroy Christian principles and ideology."
Parish priest of Rosario Church said, Fr J B Crasta said "Indian democracy is the largest in the world; and everyone has right to follow their faith. All are equal before the Constitution and enjoy equal rights. All Christians in this country are Indians. There is a strategy to divide the people on communal lines. Derogatory statements are made against Mother Theresa. Saffronization of education is taking place. Sexual assault on nun and allegations of conversion are being made and religious centres are being attacked. All this should stop."
Hundreds of people were present, including Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu, Fr Robert Crasta, advocate M P Noronha, Konkani Sahitya Academy president Roy Castelino and others.