Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Jun 26: On Thursday June 25, 20 witnesses appeared in person before the legal advisor of Justice B K Somashekhara Commission of Inquiry probing attacks on churches in the state, S R Ravi Prakash, at the Commission's sitting in the city at the Circuit House here. At the outset, Ravi Prakash sought the cooperation of the advocates for expeditious hearing.
A witness named Joseph Veigas from Bantwal accused the Bajrang Dal of being an unregistered organization engaged in causing communal unrest. Benedicta Moraes from Navoor Thotada House, stated that during her visit to B C Road on September 15 last, she saw a crowd with iron rods, clubs and rocks in their hands, raising hateful slogans against the Christians. The crowd started pelting stones after the policemen resorted to caning. “The policemen failed to protect me, even after I requested them,” she claimed. Another witness Kevin Loyd from Ammunje in Bantwal, stated that Bajrang Dal activists objected to his interaction with the Hindu girls. While admitting that he personally did not face any harassment from the Bajrang Dal, he said his friends had faced trouble in the hands of the Dal activists for talking to Hindu girls. Silvian Fernandes from Allipade in Bantwal taluk opined, that the Bajrang Dal had grown intolerant after the incidents of church attacks. The witness pointed out, that the Dal activists had blocked the banners put up for St Antony church festival, with the banners of Bajrang Dal.
Former president of Bantwal town panchayat Joseph D'Souza accused the Bajrang Dal activists of moving about with saffron clothes on and creating an environment of fear in the region. “Even though we are involved with serving the people of all communities, Vishwa Hindu Parishat activists have been involved with malicious propaganda against us of indulging in conversions. As such, Christian ladies are afraid of attending masses at night,” he deposed.
Fr Cyril Pinto, priest of Meremajal church, complained that the activists of Sri Rama Sene and Bajrang Dal had tried to disrupt a de-addiction camp organized at Meramajal village. The activists had accused the organizers of engaging in conversion activities, he informed. He however, admitted that the camp continued to function under the police protection. He also said that Srirama Sene and Bajrang Dal activists have been creating problems for the school and Holy Family higher primary school being run by the church. The religious harmony and relationship between people belonging to different religions are being disturbed by these organizations. They should be banned, he demanded.
Raymond Toraes of Melkar in Bantwal taluk said that the statue of Mother Vailankanni established in front of his house had been destroyed by the Bajrang Dal activists. He produced a photograph of the desecrated statue that had fallen to the ground. Robert D'Souza from Kallige village demanded protection from the activities of Bajrang Dal. Sevrine Fernandes said that the activists of some Hinduorganizations have been saying that the limbs of those having harmonious relationship with the Christians should be broken.
Several of the witnesses demanded for enforcing of a ban on the Srirama Sene and the Bajrang Dal, holding them responsible for the attacks on churches.
Lawyers Noronha, Ibrahim and public prosecutor Prasanna Deshpande participated in the proceedings. Rekha, lawyer of the legal cell of the Commission, conducted the hearing. The hearing will continue on Friday June 26.