Media Release

Bellary, March 9: Thousands of Christians marched peacefully to deputy commissioner’s office in Bellary on Tuesday March 9 demanding rejection of Justice Somsekhar Commission report on attacks against Christians.

The candle-light peaceful rally was led by the Bishop of Bellary Henry D’Souza and was held under the auspices of United Christian Forum, Bellary.

The rally started at the well-known Wardla College with a prayer service and screening of some visuals of the brutal attacks on churches and Christians in 2008.

After praying for peace and social harmony in India, Bishop Henry D’Souza briefly addressed the gathering. He urged Christians “not to lose heart in the face of adversities, but to take courage in the Risen Lord who lives among his people always.”
 
The candle-light procession ended at the DC’s Office, where two memoranda were presented, one for the Chief Minister of Karnataka and the other to the Governor. 

The memoranda took strong exception to the Justice BK Somashekar Commission Report on the anti-Christian attacks in Karnataka. “It was a flawed investigation, failing miserably to identify the attackers. We urge the Government of Karnataka to totally reject the report”, it stated.

“We strongly condemn the attacks on our churches, institutions and personnel made systematically and simultaneously since September 2008 in different parts of Karnataka. Often Christians have been subjected to untold hardships, vandalism and destruction of our churches and other places of worship and innocent Christians harassed through cases filed against them.  We urge that all such cases be withdrawn forthwith and adequate compensation be paid for all damages and to all victims”, insisted the memoranda.

The memoranda urged the Government of Karnataka “to form a Police Cell attached to the DGP’s office to immediately attend to all cases of attacks on all minorities and punish the perpetrators of such attacks expeditiously and impartially”.

Also, it requested the Government of Karnataka, “in order to make a thorough, comprehensive and impartial investigation on the innumerable attacks made on churches and Christians in Karnataka since 2008, preferably by a central agency such as the CBI”.

The memoranda also reminded the Government of Karnataka “it’s sacred and constitutional duty, to provide security to all the residents of Karnataka, especially the minorities to live in peace and serve the country in freedom, dignity and peace”.

The United Christian Form also assured that Christians, “as peaceful and law-abiding citizens, will continue to be in the forefront providing humanitarian service to all sections of the society, especially of the downtrodden, oppressed and neglected sections, in the field of education, healthcare and social service, not only in Karnataka but all over India”.

The district administration assured that the memoranda would be promptly transmitted to the governor and Chief Minister of Karnataka.