Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (MM/SP)

Mangalore, Sep 19: If the police force had acted unconstitutionally while controlling the situation, it will have to pay penalty in the coming days. The minority community which is the victim of the incidents of attacks on churches need not have to worry for their safety in this state. If necessary, the Constitution will interfere to rescue the victims. Exercising restraint is the need of the hour, said M P Prakash, ex-deputy chief minister of the state, who is heading the Congress Fact-finding committee that visited the city.

Addressing the media persons on Thursday September 18, he said, the miscreants have broken Crucifixes and statues of Mother Mary in many churches. Christian community has been attacked here for the first time. Disturbing communal harmony was the basic purpose behind these acts. The BJP has resorted to this strategy even in the past, just before every election, all over India, he alleged.

The incidents that paralyzed the city, have grabbed the attention of the entire state. There is every chance that this violence will spread to other parts of the city and the state. Instead of providing succour to the victims, the chief minister is speaking of the alleged conversions. Even he is having a soft corner for the Bajrangdal, which was behind these dastardly acts, he charged.

The Congress is not demanding the resignation of the home minister Dr V S Acharya. But the state government should fulfill its responsibilities without any bias. Meanwhile, the government has not arrested any leader belonging to Bajrangdal, while innocents have been rounded up. The government has used its influence in several cases. Therefore, CBI inquiry should be ordered into the incidents, he urged.

The police have caned the women, who were staging protest peacefully and without using any weapons. The police entered inside the churches and presbyteries of the churches without any provocation or compelling reasons to do so. On the other hand, the Sangh Parivar activists threatened the Mangalore University lecturers who raised their voices about the acts of communalism, with dire consequences. But the home minister V S Acharya has failed to listen to the grievances of the victims. He is the home minister of all the communities in the state. Moreover, the government should perform its constitutional duties judicially and impartially, he demanded.

The fact finding report will be submitted to the KPCC chairman Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister, union home minister and the state chief minister, he informed.

Former ministers D B Chandregowda, Sagir Ahmed, MLA K J George and local leader Ravishankar Shetty were present at the press meet.

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