Attack on Churches : A Reality Check...
Special Report
Daijiworld Media Netowork - Mangalore
September 14, 2010 marks the second year since the ignoble attacks on churches in South Kanara and other districts of Karnataka. The Christians were taken aback by surprise following this sudden and uncalled for provocation and took to streets in protest and soon the situation went out of hand as the protests turned violent. What followed after that is nothing but the worst kind of altercation between the angry protestors and the police who used their brutality to subjugate the protestors. The memories of that Black Sunday and the events that followed the aftermath will continue to haunt the Caholics of Mangalore especially those who have faced the brunt of the police brutality when the protests took an ugly turn.
File Picture: Sep 14, 2008
It is two years since the shameful event of desecration of churches and the memories of that fateful day are still fresh in the minds of Catholics, who feel it was the worst kind of attack on them since independence. As they say, the wounds have healed but scars of those deep wounds will forever remain imprinted in the memories of people, more so in those who are still facing the consequences of their act of defending their faith and their religious institutions. This is especially true in case of 145 Catholics against whom cases were registered for arson, looting, attacking policemen on duty, damaging public property etc, The matter is in the court and the accused have to attend the hearing as and when it is held which is proving to be a cumbersome task greatly affecting their fighting spirit.
AT CROSSROADS
One can but imagine the fate of these 145 people who after two years are finding themselves at crossroads as attending the court cases all through this period has drained them mentally, physically, psychologically and financially. Many of the youngsters find their career in doldrums as the court case keeps them tied to this place. Many have been forced to give up lucrative careers abroad and elsewhere in India due to the pending cases in court. This has been brought to light at a meeting of ‘the brave soldiers who faced police brutality for safeguarding their faith’ organized recently as we are nearing the completion of two years since this insalubrious incident. It was an effort to bring them face to face with their lawyers fighting their cases and leaders who have taken the cudgels on their behalf and to give them an assurance that the community is backing them in their fight. This meeting was held at Bajjodi, in Mangalore, under the auspices of International Federation of Karnataka Christian Association (IFKCA), Bangalore.
IFKCA Chairman Ronald Coloco who has been instrumental in bringing together these soldiers said “we wanted to assure these people that the community and the diocese is with them not only in words but also in deeds and our advocates and we have succeeded in convincing these people that we will make all out efforts to ensure that the cases against them are withdrawn at the earliest. In spite of the heaviest sections loaded against these people (attacking and injuring policemen is a non-bailable offence) we had succeeded in releasing them within two days. Once the case is in the court we cannot overlook judicial procedures which will take its own course”.
GOT A FAIR DEAL?
As we know it is easier said than done and both the leaders and those accused against whom the cases are pending are aware of the stark reality facing them. Justice B K Somshekar Commission of Inquiry appointed by the state to probe the attack on churches and the violence that gripped following this attack, has submitted an interim relief a few months back and has been given another extension. The term of the Commission will end only on October 31, 2010. Unless the Commission of Inquiry period comes to an end the cases registered against all the 145 people cannot be withdrawn. Though the report was to be ready by August this year it got extended by another two months.
Ronald Colaco speaking to daijiworld said “whatever little information of the Commission available to us we have been given to understand that the cases filed against 145 people will be withdrawn taking into consideration the lack of criminal record against any of these accused. We have also appealed to the Chief Minister and the Home Minister of the state and once the Inquiry Commissions time gets over we are confident that the government will consider our request sympathetically. It is just a matter of time”.
Though there is a general feeling that the government is biased against Christians, Ronald Colaco says that sometimes the government is compelled to act tough due to compulsions from various fundamentalist forces within their own party. But they are very considerate to us knowing very well our contributions to various fields such as education, health, social service etc, and due to the peace-loving nature of Christians they have some soft corner and consideration, which many people may not be aware of. Today’s meeting was to give a sort of enlightenment to those who are facing the court cases that judicial procedure takes its own time in dealing with pending cases and we cannot sidetrack judicial matters.
UNITY – ONLY A MYTH
Though the leaders spoke about unity there is more chaos and disarray disunity which was evident from the reaction of some of the people against whom the court cases are pending. The situation in Permude Church is almost out of hand as the youngsters complained that the Parish Priest has been revengeful in linking the names of some youngsters to that of the attack on police in a fresh complaint filed recently in some other context. Alphonse Fernandes of Permude parish says “I have no regrets of having defended my faith when the situation demanded. But now it is sickening to know our parish priest is vengeful and is determined to get us involved in incidents from which we are trying come out. I spend my own money and my valuable time to attend the court cases. I now feel it was not worth getting involved in incidents like this. Even if a need arises I will not support my children to venture into this kind of adventurism”.
Another Permude parishioner said that though 90% of the parishioners complained to the Bishop to transfer the priest nothing has been done so far”. Though the leaders assured that the matter is solved amicably with the intervention of the Bishop the youngsters said the cases are not yet withdrawn. How the leadership is going to handle this situation remains to be seen.
This kind of squabbling is sure to deal a big blow to the unity, which is the need of the hour. There is disillusionment among other parishioners also who feel that they are left to fend for themselves in facing the court cases. The root of this cynicism stems from the fact that the cases are booked against the group and not individually. As a result even if one of the members of the group is absent for the court hearing the case gets adjourned or postponed. As such, most of them end up spending their valuable time in court premises. Leo Crasta and Stany Pinto of Kulshekar Parish also expressed their frustration and anger and feel that their sacrifice has come to a naught. Stany Pinto who has his own business says “I have attended the case 18 to 20 times and the Somshekar Commission of Inquiry 3 to 4 times. But every time the case gets adjourned as someone or the other is unable to attend the case. It is frustrating and disgusting”. Leo Crasta is also vehemently feels he has been caught in an unwanted situation from which he finds no escape route.
UNITED WE STAND
Frustration is running high among those who are facing the cases largely because there has been no coordination among them, the leaders and advocates dealing with the cases. Many among the 145 people facing the court cases are oblivious of the latest developments with regard to the cases and do not know whom to approach even for information. Some youngsters especially students are unable to attend the court owing to examinations and the case get adjourned whenever they abstain. To overcome this Ronald Coloco said that a full time employee will be appointed to carry out the liaison work and intimate to the advocates in advance so that they can give an application of inability to attend so as to avoid unnecessary adjournments and delays.
As a further step to strengthen the coordinated efforts Ronald Colaco has come forward to open units of IFKCA in each taluk of the district and fund them for a year to give that initial fillip. IFLCA was started with the principle motto to bringing about unity of different denominations of Catholics. Colaco says “we are happy that we could live peacefully with more than 80 per cent of the Hindus in this country and it is only a small percentage of fanatics who are playing with the religious sentiments of the people creating mistrust and spreading hatred. We have to stay united and show our strength not by fighting war but by protecting our institutions and churches”.
The morale of those facing the court cases is at its lowest ebb now and it calls for united efforts to maintain unity and strength of purpose. IFKCA took this initiative of bringing together the brave soldiers to assure them they are not alone in their fight as a consequence of their acts of safeguarding their faith. It is necessary to keep up the tempo of that fighting spirit to ensure a logical end to this sordid episode.