Bangalore : Colaco Leads Delegation to CM to Withdraw Cases against Christian Youth
Pics by Dayananda Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network
Bangalore, Feb 18: Ronald Colaco, Chairman of International Federation of Karnataka Christian Associations (IFKCA)  submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa  on 17th February, 2011, requesting  him to withdraw cases  registered against Christian youth  after the attack on places of worship in 2008.  Colaco along with Higher Education Minister V S Acharya took a delegation to the Chief Minister and submitted the memorandum  that contained complete details of a total of 26 cases filed against 338  Christians during the incidents that occurred after the attack of churches  in Dakshina Kannada by  miscreants.  
The delegation comprised Valerian Fernandes, Chairman of FKCA Bangalore, Felix D Souza,  social activist from Mumbai, Dennis D Silva, state convener of   IFKCA,  Michael Baptist, General Secretary IFKCA, Antony Swamy  IFKCA coordinator, Prashanth Jathanna, coordinator of IFKCA, Udupi unit representing CSI churches  and Stanly from Kolar.  
The delegation  reminded the Chief Minister of the assurances he had given on two occasions earlier -  on 31st January, 2009 and on 19th December 2010, in the  esteemed presence of former Dy Prime Minister and senior BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani, in Mangalore,   to withdraw  cases filed against these youth.  The delegation   apprised the Chief Minister  about the ‘on the spot’ decision he had conveyed on both these occasions to withdraw cases against the youth and had even advised his Principal Secretary to complete the necessary formalities in this regard, but nothing has been done in this regard so far.  
The delegation had met state Home Minister R Ashok  along with former President of All India All Colleges Principals Association on February 16, 2011 and submitted a memorandum requesting the withdrawal of cases giving full details of all the 338 persons against whom cases were filed.  









Colaco impressed upon the Home Minister about the circumstances that led to the unfortunate incidents in the aftermath of the unprovoked attack on 22 churches of  Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts and said the Christians were forced to come to the streets to express their anguish, grief and grievances.  
He also explained to the Home Minister that all Christians have a good track record as law abiding and peace loving people without any criminal record  and the unfortunate incident after the attack on churches was the result of sudden outburst of expressing their anguish.  Home Minister R Ashok directed his IGP Intelligence,   to furnish all details pertaining to these cases and assured that he will bring the issue of withdrawal of cases  before the cabinet for approval soon.  
Responding to the issue of forced conversion  raised by the  Home Minster  Colaco convinced the him saying  that there cannot be forced conversion of anyone unless the person in question  decides himself/herself  to do so  in the mind, the heart and the body.  Colaco also brought to the notice of the Home Minister the services rendered by the Christian Missionaries  in the field of education, health  care and social service in the last 150 years at a time when education was  available only to a miniscule  section of the society.  
The delegation had also met Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister I.N.S Prasad along with Additional Secretary and Private Secretary Dayashankar on  February  15,  and they promised  to complete the formalities  soon to  bring the matter to the consideration of the cabinet.        
Denis D Silva, State convener of IFKCA  had obtained all details  from  several police stations through RTI, pertaining to the 338 people against whom cases have been registered.  This information helped the delegation to provide complete details of these  people to the Chief Minister and the Home Minister. 
IKFCA Chairman Ronald Colaco had approached ministers  like Janardhana Reddy, Shree Ramulu, Karunakar Reddy, Ramdas,  Dr V S Acharya, Murugesh Nirani and  Basavaraj Bommai  and sought their support   in withdrawing these cases when the matter comes before the cabinet.  
All the ministers promised their support in this matter  and assured the delegation that they would  do their best  when the matter comes before the cabinet.   
Also see:
Church attack and Somashekhar Report :