Election Stunt? : Hindu Vedike Targets Minorities on Bangalore Walls
Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Mar 9: As elections near, it is evident that several political and non-political parties gear-up to show their strength and pull their vote bank by various means. If some sections use tactics that fall within the 'ethics' , some others go beyond the limit where no ethics is applicable for them.
Christians and Muslims woke up to a great shock on Saturday as many of the Bangalore walls were painted with anti- Christian and anti-muslim slogans. Equally surprising was that none of the political parties have condemned or protested against this act of 'Hindu Jagarana Vedike' who are alleged to have painted the slogans. Archbishop of Bangalore, Rt. Rev. Dr Bernard Moras was first one to raise his voice against such a malicious act.
Archbishop Rev. Dr. Bernard Moras called on Governor Rameshwar Thakur urging him to take immediate steps to contain the spread of such venomous messages spewed against the Christian community. "Such messages have been painted on the walls in prominent places in Bangalore branding Christians as terrorists and accusing Christians of trying to Christianize India through forcible conversions", The archbishop told the governor during his 20 minute meeting with the Governor on March 7th at 5.30 pm at Raj Bhavan.
"These paintings on the walls will remain for a very long time to come and will create hatred and animosity between religious communities and will cause communalism to spread in this state. Going by the organized manner in which these hate-campaigns are being done, I feel it will spread to other parts of Karnataka as well and disturb the peace of this state" Archbishop Moras added. The name of the Hindu Jagrana Vedike, allegedly behind this hate-campaign is painted on the walls. The Archbishop sought the Governor's intervention in immediately effacing these messages and bringing the culprits to book. He also expressed concern over the possible disturbances during the Holy Week services in April and asked for police protection.
The Governor said that he was equally concerned and said "with some patience we can handle the matter". "It would be good if you could also bring the matter to the attention of the Chief Minister, Home Minister and the Chief Secretary" the Governor told the Archbishop after receiving a letter presented by the Archbishop. The letter urged the Governor to intervene and cull the spread of communalism and hate-campaigns against Christians. The Archbishop informed the Governor that attempts in the morning were made to contact the Chief Minister, Home Minister and the DG-IGP. "Since they are out of station, we got in touch with you considering this as an urgent and important matter that requires immediate attention" the Archbishop said. Later in the evening, letters were handed over to the offices of the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, Home Minister, DG-IGP, and the Commissioner of Police.
Earlier, speaking to Daijiworld correspondent at his residence, the Archbishop said that "Such actions during the election time are really disturbing and every secular minded person should condemn this. He also expressed concern , based on the allegation received about the deletion of names of many minority members from the voters list. He said every citizen who is eligible to vote must exercise their franchise . If they find their name missing from the voters list, they should bring the matter to the notice of the Election Commission. It is understand that, up to March 31, 2009 people can apply for voter ID’s and they can also include their names, if found missing ,before said date.