The Hindu

Bangalore, Sep 16: The Karnataka Komu Sauharda Vedike’s Bangalore chapter held a protest demonstration here on Monday against attacks of prayer halls and churches being carried out throughout Karnataka allegedly by Bajrang Dal activists. They have demanded the arrest of Bajrang Dal State convenor Mahendra Kumar.

Gauri Lankesh of the vedike called the attack an “outrageous attack on the Indian Constitution.” She said that the Constitution guaranteed every citizen the right to practise and propagate their religion. She demanded to know how Mr. Mahendra Kumar, who had openly claimed responsibility for the attacks and vowed to continue attacks, was “allowed to go scot-free.”

Deepu, State convenor of the vedike, said that the attacks on Christians was the “latest addition” in a series of “anti-people and undemocratic” activities of the Sangh Parivar, including attacks on Muslims and Dalits. The authorities, especially the police, were “mute spectators” in the attacks on churches and prayer halls and failed to take action, he alleged. Representatives of various democratic and human rights also participated in the protest.