BJP, RSS plan protest on January 13 against construction of Christ statue in Kanakapura
BENGALURU: The BJP and RSS are planning a massive protest on Monday against the construction of a 114-ft tall statue of Jesus Christ at Kapalibetta in Kanakapura. Terming it the ‘Kanakapura Chalo’ protest, the BJP is expecting hundreds to converge at Kapalibetta.
The statue is the pet project of Congress strongman DK Shivakumar. Shivakumar cautioned his supporters, saying, “I urge everyone not to be instigated or provoked.’’
The local jurisdictional police have pressed into service over 1,000 policemen, including armed police units, to ensure peace. Harobele, where the statue is to come up, is a village dominated by Christians in Shivakumar’s constituency. The community has been living for about 400 years.
Shivakumar told TNIE that these villagers had approached him, requesting that they be allowed to erect the statue, and the previous government had sanctioned 10 acres to them for the project. Shivakumar had paid Rs 10,000 to the society that is seeking to erect the statue, which the BJP termed “minority appeasement”.
When the local administration and government raised objections, Christian leaders had petitioned CM BS Yediyurappa to remove impediments to the construction of the statue.
Shivakumar said the BJP’s move was politically motivated, and that when he had supported the construction of more than 100 temples, no one had objected.
Even though I am a Christian, I am not for constructing statues of anyone! But if the people of a place feel that a statue of Jesus Christ would inspire them to lead better lives, then they should be allowed to do it as long as they have the land and the money for it. Why should the BJP/RSS have any problem? Christian institutions have played an important role in providing education, health-care, and social services to Indians irrespective of caste or creed. Christian Clergy, Religious and Laity serve in remote corners of India bringing relief to the poor and… Read more »
“Indian Christians have the fundamental right to preach and propagate their faith. And no RSS/BJP hooligan can take that away.” – Joe Coelho SJ If the product is really good, then you don’t need the marketing department. It’s people like you who have sown the seeds of enmity in the society by trying to “propagate the faith”. People can live happily without religion or faith. Religion is for mob control and people like you who have turned these “believers” into mental patients because of your promise of biriyani after death. Read a bit of history if you find time –… Read more »
“fundamental right to preach and propagate their faith” is guaranteed in the Constitution. I was just highlighting that. If you have had a bad experience with religion or with God, I am sorry. I am not here to convert you! For me, the value of religion is seen in the fruit it produces. If it produces good fruit, it is a good enterprise. If the fruit is rotten, that surely is a sign of organizational decay or irrelevance. How many Christians that you know of go about converting others? The problem is the false “conversion” narrative (or lie) that is… Read more »
I am glad that you have chosen to respond to my remarks. First things first – When I write my rebuttal here, please do not take it personally. My questions are generally aimed at those who think they are the custodians of Christianity, not you in particular. I have immense respect towards those who have dedicated their life for others. So it is going to be issue-based criticism on some of the things that I believe are hypocritical in Christianity, as opposed to blanket opposition to anything and everything that is related to priests in general. Hope you will make… Read more »