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| | Secular activists ruining the chances of peace |
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| By Team Mangalorean, Bangalore
MANGALORE, Sept 21, 2008: Various so called Secular and Human Rights activists have now started unleashing a barrage of words that has the potential of ruining the chances of long lasting peace and harmony in the city.
An array of "secular characters" starting from the former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, his father H.D. Deve Gowda (who is also the former prime minister of India) former judge of Karnataka High Court M.F. Saldanha, film maker Mahesh Bhat and his followers in the Maharashtra Minority Commission, Teesta Setalvad, State minister for Wakf Arif Mohammad Khan, former state minority commission Chief Anwar Manippady, leaders of Karnataka Forum for Dignity and Komu Souharda Samithi and the pseudo secular characters from Congress party had attacked the peace pact executed by the Catholic Christians and Hindu organisations in the wake of the anti Christian sentiments and attacks on churches.
All these persons have criticised sections of the Catholic order, led by the Bishop of Mangalore Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza and the VHP leader Prof. M.B. Puranik for signing a pact of peace. The criticism meted out by these leaders has put the peace process in Mangalore between the two communities into jeopardy despite the best intensions of the leaders of the two communities. These are the two major communities in Mangalore and any peace process if had to succeed in the district these two communities are a must in the given conditions.
Even Margeret Alva had complained about leaving out the protestant church out of the peace process. Teesta in her scathing remark on the "compromising" agreement with Hindutva groups with Catholic Church was nothing short of a compromise. She said "There can be no peace without justice. Throughout the history, sections from the victim community have been co-opted by the oppressor." Which was a characteristic of the fundamentalist. She did not spare the Catholic Church also. She termed as "opportunistic" and "lacking in character" the concessions made by the Catholic leadership.
Justice MF Saldanha, filmmaker Mahesh Bhat at a meeting organised by Indian Christian Voice in Bangalore
Gowda visits St Yagappa Church
State Samudaya Samanvaya Samiti members, writers, artists led by Girish Kasaravalli and G Ramakrishna stage a dharna at Town Hall in Bangalore in support of communal harmony and peace
Members of Yuva Yuga stage a dharna at Gandhi statue in Bangalore against attack on Churches in the statue
In the meanwhile at a time when Karnataka was looking forward for some political stability to take forward its economic agenda of inviting foreign investors the Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa’s concerns appear to be genuine. He said the disparaging language the so called secularists use against his government was nothing short of blaming the government for everything.
At a press conference in Bangalore on Sunday after the high level meeting Mr. Yeddyurappa said the rhetoric unleashed by the KFD and the Komu Souharda Vedike was uncalled for. His government was trying its maximum to bring order into the state but these elements have started unleashing a series of tirades against the government, which was a de-motivating factor the peace process.
He said he had told everything to the Governor of Karnataka Rameshwar Thakur about the "sustained and deep rooted conspiracy" played by some vested interests in the country against his government.
At this point Mr. Yeddyurappa appear to be alone battling for the survival of his government against the proposed imposition of provisions of article 355 by the central government. Even when he held the high level meeting he was supported by only Dr. V.S.Acharya the home minister and none of his cabinet colleagues had attended the high level meeting. R. Ashok and K.S. Eshwarappa known for their forceful and vociferous speeches were not to be seen. Dr. Acharya’s presence did not evoke the expected reactions. Mr. Yeddyurappa since then has called for a special emergency meeting of the cabinet on Monday at 11 .30am which might be a last ditch effort of creating a feel good factor for the state.
Complete coverage:
K'taka church attacks: Two cops suspended, VHP denies involvement
Normalcy returns to Karnataka
Kumaraswamy dubs the arrest as a drama
Police oppose bail to Bajrang Dal chief
Mangalore: Bajrang Dal Chief Arrested
Opposition seeks dismissal of BJP Govt
Bajrang Dal denies hand in church attacks- Former Karnataka judge to probe
Mangalore: Don't wait till the marauders reach your door step- Margaret Alva
Arrested catholic youths released from jail
Retired judge to probe K'taka Church attacks
Siddu, Moily, Poojary blasts Government
Catholics and Hindu organizations forge nexus
Mangalore: 'Attack on Churches is state sponsored rowdism' says Deve Gowda
Attack on churches: Govt orders CoD probe
Mangalore: Home minister assures fairplay
Udupi: No case of forcible conversion- Qureshi
Why we didn't turn the other cheek!
Violence against Christians: Women demand action against Police
Mahesh Bhatt asks Governor to send report to President, PM
State Government to spend on damage repair- Yeddyurappa
Violence against Christian continues: Bishop breaks his silence
Churches under attack: Sangh Parivar has successfully done it!
Attack on Churches: Police Lathi Charge and Tear Gas the Crowd!
Protest from across the world:
Muscat: Mangaloreans submit memo to Indian Ambassador
Canada: Mammoth rally to protest Human Rights Violation in India
Abu Dhabi: Catholics hold protest meet
Kuwait: Prayer Meeting for Peace held
Chicago Christians call for Peace Rally
Doha: MCA condemns attack on Churches
Mangalorean Catholics in Muscat condemn violence in Mangalore
Violence in M'lore: Indian Christian community in Canada calls for protest
Indian Catholics in Kuwait condemn violence against Christians in Mangalore | |
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| Vera Alvares, India |
Sep 23, 2008 |
If the CM was serious about doing "maximun to bring order into the state", why did he not condemn the attacks immediately on reaching Mangalore, after viewing the dastardly attack on the Adoration chapel run by cloistered nuns? Why did he wait to 'make peace' till his government was threatened with article 356 like Domocles's sword on his head? His one call would have sent a strong signal to his attacking Sena and the attacks would have stopped then and there.... But at his first interview with srinivas Jain on National news, he vociferously stated "Forced conversions will not be tolerated in the state"! The whole of India is witness to this! Is it not as good as saying, "Carry on with the work, i have not uttered a word against it".
The rabid forces mad with the tacit support the CM had handed to them on a silver plate with his words, went beserk for one long week! Even the noble police force, supposed to be the protectors of the weak, proceeded to show the poor nuns and women who ARE the masters.....The secularists are NOT the 'demotivating factor' here. They have taken up cudgels to fight for justice to the weak and opressed people, which they have done all along, though some may not know of it! They fight against ALL INJUSTICE, did we expect them to leave the Christians out because some self-styled 'Peace makers' want to be lauded for their efforts? Those who really have the welfare of the victims at heart would have taken the criticism in their stride.....and pl....ease learn to differentiate between the POLITICAL leaders who jump into the fray for milage out of the incident, and HUMAN RIGHT ACTIVISTS who uniformly condemn violations because they care! It was Teesta who valiantly faught against the Muslim bashing in Gujarat and for the Christians of Daangs district during the high tension drama of "Shabari kumbh"! Leave alone how many of us lifted a finger for Fr. Cedric Prakash and his brave regiment, how many of us are at least aware of what happened to Christians in Gujarat? Do we care for anyone but ourselves? |
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| Levin, India |
Sep 23, 2008 |
Mr R Pai, you are writing this from the USA and you are more concerned over who is visiting and for what and who will get votes. Thats because you are perched over there in relative security. Have a heart to understand what people are facing here.
You think people are sitting here waiting for who is going to visit next and the politics of it. Does anyone even care, we couldnt care less. Do you at least realize the kind of terror we are under here thanks to this VHP and their violence.
People are more concerned if the next stone from these fanatics who are preaching violence might hit someone from their family. You will never know it unless you are in our shoes. |
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| Calvin, USA |
Sep 22, 2008 |
Yes this is bad on the part of the Catholic church to leave out other christian communities. Being a catholic myself, I feel ashamed at the politics of the church.
Ban the VHP, bajrangis,SIMI and any christian group which supports terror. |
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| Jay, India |
Sep 22, 2008 |
Actually the only peace that is required is for Sangh Parivar to make peace with the constitution of India. From their loving acts of desecration it does not look like they have made peace with the nations constitution thus far.
The Bishop may be thinking of some pragmatic peace in his diocese from these hoodlums. But he is dealing with folks who speak from both sides of their mouth here and whose claim to fame is violence. Can a leopard change its spots.
I think the Bishop made a mistake here, justice , dignity, our rights and then pace will happen.
Its still not clear to me what concessions the catholic side has made, that would be a pity if he traded away anything that is a constitutional right to ward of violence from VHP.
I think we need to have some of our women involved , they seem to be the ones who had the guts to stand up to these goons. I could see far more women than men in the pictures at Mangalorean. Bravo women, sure we men have to learn something from you. |
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| Rajanikanth Shenoy, Kudpi, India |
Sep 22, 2008 |
This report should be an eye opener to all those who blindly oppose some faith or the other.
Real colours of opportunistic politicians is now exposed.
Thanks to the unbiased reporting by Team Mangalorean. |
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| Ron Sequeira, India |
Sep 22, 2008 |
I'm sorry, but this article is completely off track. It wasn't the secular activists who attacked churches, it wasn't them who beat up innocent women and children. Was it they who justified the attacks (like our chief minister and home minister) in the name of conversions? Was it they who promised more attacks (like Mahendra Kumar)?
Let us put things in perspective - they have had the decency and courage to open their mouths against such terror when everyone else was running scared.
As far as the pact itself is concerned, while the intentions of the clergy were honourable, it is the first time I hear of a pact that has one side handing out a "deadline" to another, failing which they promise of more attacks. This is laughable.
Yes, a pact is the need of the hour, but it needs to be held with ordinary peace eloving hindu leaders, not goons and barbarians. The VHP and its affiliates are fit to be banned -any pact with them will only give them legitimacy and embolden them to carry on more attacks. |
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| Anvar, India |
Sep 22, 2008 |
| KFD is offshoot of NDF in kerala , which has disturbed the communal harmony in the state, also the prime involved in massacre of Arayas at Maradu(Kozhikode). Mainstream muslim groups such as Sunnis, Mujahids have asked the muslim breathren to stay away from these groups. |
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| R.Pai, USA |
Sep 22, 2008 |
Thanks Mangalorean.com for exposing the true communal forces with a 'secular' tag. While we all condemn and press legal action against BD and other culprits, we should not act like blind people and blame only one side. That's when we lose credibility.
These so-called 'secular' parties never believed in 'secular' society. As one of your readers put it - "Don't blame secular forces, they are the voice of the masses and mostly of the minority." It just confirms the notion that these 'secular' forces take sides of minorities all the time.
How can they have any credibility as 'secular' forces, when they clearly take sides based on religion? They are no better than communal outfits.
Give peace a chance. Give true 'secular' society a chance. |
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| sheela shetty, UAE |
Sep 22, 2008 |
Dear Readers.
Since Last few days we have Expressed our views towards the incident. Some of them are really provocative, its just like adding fuel to fire. Most of us are away from our place so it is easy to make comments and express our anger towards concern. I persoanlly condemn this act. It is very diffucult to witness and being there, I was in Mumbai during Mumbai riots, We lived under tension for many days. So Now all of us should work in different directions like spreading Harmony messages to our beloved family members,friends and neighbors through Phone, E-mails or SMS. I think this will work well. |
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| Ajay, India |
Sep 22, 2008 |
This editorial by Mangalorean has a slant. I am assuming it is an editorial as there is an opinion.
The people who have violated the constitution are the VHP and it is every right minded citizens duty to ask as to what this compromise with VHP that the bishop is up to.
Is he trading the constitutional rights of Christians out of fear of violence from VHP. If that is the case, then I am sorry to say it is no peace. The Bishop is a wise man, I hope he is guided by justice rather than fear. I hope he takes all christian groups into confidence and does not let VHP use this opportunity to divide Christians. |
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| jacintha, India |
Sep 22, 2008 |
| Majority of Kannadigas are educated enough, they can't be mislead. Don't blame secular forces, they are the voice of the masses and mostly of the minority. Peace accord is fine, it has it's own place. First we want justice for acts of Mangalore - unprovoked violence by BD, police and state. Each one individually should be brought to court. Next we want a ban on any religious fundamentalist group, for they make existence difficult. And to top this all, Karnataka govt should resign willingly or it should be forced. Acharya is a fundamentalist - as such unfit for a post in elected office, he should be booked as a criminal, just like Mahendra kumar. |
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| Jude, UAE |
Sep 22, 2008 |
One can understand the predicament of the CM, which mostly is due to his own doing. He initially denied the involvemnet of the BD and the VHP thinking that the timid christians could be easily beaten into submission as always. Little did he expect us to react the way we did and the exposure received from the national and international media, and the reactions of horror at the terror unleashed by the state machinery and the BD on innocent law abiding citizens from all over India and the world. The BD bit more than it could chew this time. Mangalore is not another Gujarat or Khandmal were it was easy to kill backward tribals and hush up things. Mangalore has a highly literate population and Mangaloreans are spread out all over the world and are serving in important positions of influence,and therefore it was extremely difficult to hoodwink them. It was also very difficult to spread their lies to the majority Hindus, because the Hindus could easily smell their game plan and said No to this at the very first instant. Therefore all the BD and VHP plans backfired. Now they are busy issuing denials and washing their hands off the whole thing instead of accepting their mistake.
Our CM therefore finds himself alone. Yet we the citizens from all communities in Mangalore and the state are willing to forgive and put the past behind us and support the CM if he genuinely wishes for peace. He has to set an example by punishing his senior police officers for the law of the jungle unleashed by them and not just suspend two hawaldars. Secondly the vagrants from the BD who first brought in this situation should be booked and sternly dealt with. These are the confidence building measures which will greatly help is normalizing the situation. Remember Yeddi, you are the Chief Minister of Karnakata and not the Chief Minister of the VHP and the Bajrang Dal. |
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| LOBO MELWYN, India |
Sep 22, 2008 |
Dear Bishop,
Give a chance to the youngsters to negotiate and take their course of actions. Have you seen any Swami or anyone attending the meeting. We have young leaders, lawyers, learned people and lot of people who can lead from front. By involving yourselves and not leaving the youth to take action you and all the clergy are digging your own grave.
Please give charge to the youngsters and learned people who will surely lead this movement and the country forward. |
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| Roshan Pais, India |
Sep 22, 2008 |
I personally wish that peace will return because of the pact between Bishops initiative and the VHP.
My apprehensions are unless there is cessation of the indoctrination of hate by VHP and its likes, any future personal feuds (between individuals) will blow up as communal (between communities).
I have seen this trend happening lately over years in our dear coastal areas.
Let all people of Mangalore yearn for peace and development and dream of removal of poverty and general improvement than be divisive in nature and thus be true- nationalists. |
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| Alfred J. Rebello, UAE |
Sep 22, 2008 |
| The public is suffering in the hands of politicians. If there were NO politicians involvement, there would not have been a turmoil in the first place. These polticians and beurocrats create such an atmosphere just to be noticed and the public is suffering for no fault of theirs. If these polticians and beaureocrats really wanted peace to prevail, they would have worked for it instead of blame game. They only use the situation for their benefits. They do not care for the public at all. But whose fault it is any way? |
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| Riyaz, Mangalore, Kuwait |
Sep 22, 2008 |
| "Kailagadavanu mai Parachikondananthe" this holds good for you, CM..!! Don't blame KFD and Komu sauharda vedike for your acting defenselessness. Remember! you cannot fool all people at all the time but only some people for some limited time. |
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| Abdul Rahiman, UAE |
Sep 22, 2008 |
| Let this yediurappa have guts and take action agaisnt Bajirangadal and Ram Sena. The police is communalised and Pro-Hindu. We need KFD to protect our rights. So do not pull KFD, it has not doen anything wrong. It is self defence group for minorities and dalits. KFD will act for self defence to protect minorities. We have seen the misuse of Police at Gujrat and CM has repeatedly told the same. So First bring law and order then talk nonsense. |
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| Rajesh_kumar, India |
Sep 22, 2008 |
| The Home minister says on National TV and in Debate that HIS PEOPLE THE BAJARANG DAL have destroyed the churches that are involved in conversion. HE IS OUT OF HIS MIND. what can we say?? can any one try and convert him to be a decent HUMAN BEING and run his ministry without siding with any party in the interest of the People of Karnataka, be it hindu, christian or muslim.. He says it is a mistake, souldnot have been done... ragedy of DEMOCRACY. CRIMINAL POLITICS... HE IS STILL CLINGING TO HIS CHAIR??? WHAT IS DEMOCRACY THEN? Can't we have President's Rule in Karnataka? Please Put Karnatak in place before it is lost to Militants supported by these guys in power. We need peace in Karnataka. |
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| Bert Naik, Australia |
Sep 21, 2008 |
While peace in Mangalore is important, and I support the Catholic Bishop's move to get into a dialogue with the despicable militias, we cannot ignore the fact that the confidence of the peace loving minorities in the current Government of Karnataka has been completely shaken!
Having said that, the voices from many quarters - Secular, Human Rights, or any other - are not going to die down until the Home Minister accepts his culpability and resigns from his position. You cannot have a Home Minister that has no impartial voice of his own. By commission and omission, he has consistently sided with the war-mongering militias.
It is the responsibility of the Home Minister to control the police. Here we have the case of the Home Minister overseeing the actions of the police who ruthlessly beat the praying nuns, women and children. India, under such Home Ministers, will slide further into chaos. India, under such Home Ministers, will further fuel the growth of more militias. I won't be surprised if another half a dozen militias spring up to defend the rights of Hindus, the rights of Muslims, the rights of Christians!
Because such militias will be emboldened by the fact that the Home Ministers of Karnataka, at least of the type of the current one, are so dependent on the support of such militias, the Home Ministers will look the other way.
As I said earlier, the Mangalorean Catholic community in Australia does not see the interests of the state served by a Home Minister who not only protected the militias, but then unleashed the police on to the most vulnerable members of the community - praying nuns, women and children. |
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