Christians mark anniversary of 2008 Mangalore violence
ICC Note
Two years ago, Hindu radicals attacked over 20 churches in Mangalore and other districts of state of Karantaka. The goal of the radicals is to create a Hindu nation where Christians and other non-Hindus can’t live. Local officials colluded with the Hindu radicals during the attacks.
By John Malhotra
09/17/2010 India (Christian Today)-Prayers and vigil were held to mark the second anniversary of the 2008 church attacks in Karnataka.
A special mass was held by Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza of Mangalore, praying for the victims of the violence and witnesses involved in the justice process.
Bishop D’Souza issued a circular asking his people to mark the anniversary as “a day of prayer for peace” among all religions.
The 2008 violence was a wave of attacks directed against Christian churches and prayer halls by the Bajrang Dal.
Over 20 churches and several prayer halls in Mangalore, Udupi, Chikkamagaluru, Kolar and other small districts in Karanataka were attacked.
Melwyn Noronha, a lawyer representing Christians before the Justice B K Somashekar Commission, told UCA News that the group’s probe on the violence will soon conclude its proceedings, with its final hearing held last Aug. 9.
The latest hearing involved Mahendra Kumar, the former state chief of Bajrang Dal, a Hindu radical group accused of attacking Christians in the state.
“He has confessed that their agenda is to create a Hindu nation in India as recorded by the commission reports,” Noronha revealed.
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In his interim report, Justice Somashekhar, a former High Court judge, accused top police officers, district administration and other authorities for colluding with the right-wing Hindu organisations during the violence on Christians.
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