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 :