The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Withdraw letter: Kharge

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Sunday, Sep 14, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Withdraw letter: Kharge

Special Correspondent

‘It was normal for Christian schools to protest’
‘State has become notorious for quelling movements’

BANGALORE: Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president M. Mallikarjun Kharge has demanded the Government to withdraw its letter sent to all Christian institutions asking for an explanation why the institutions remained closed on August 29.

Mr. Kharge told presspersons on Friday that the Education Department had sent a letter to all Christian institutions asking for explanation. He said it was beyond the “Government’s powers” to ask for such an explanation from the institutions and the Government should immediately withdraw the letter.

He said the Christian institutions admitted students belonging to other communities and the Government’s letter had embarrassed the institutions. He said it was normal for Christian institutions to register their protest against attacks on Christian organisations and carnage of Christians in Orissa. It was a peaceful protest and most of the Christians spent that day in prayer.

He said the State had become notorious for repressing the people’s movement. The BJP Government had opened fire on farmers who were demanding fertilisers and seeds for growing foodgrains for millions of people, the Government lathicharged people who were demanding reduction in water charges in Mangalore and issued notices to the minority institutions for peacefully protesting the mass murder of Christians.

He said the destruction of prayer halls and attacks on Christian priests and clerics in Davangere was ominous, he said.

About the BJP’s National Executive meeting, Mr. Kharge said the party was using government money for hosting the meeting.

Earlier, the Congress leaders under the banner of the youth Congress participated in a rally and a protest meeting at Anand Rao Circle where the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council V.S. Ugrappa, former ministers Ramalinga Reddy, T. John, J. Alexander, MLA N.L. Narendra Babu, Vijaykumar, and Krishnappa spoke.

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