The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Proper security for churches promised

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Friday, Sep 19, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Proper security for churches promised

Special Correspondent

‘There is a hate campaign without proper information on forced conversions’

— Photo: Bhagya Prakash K.

Airing grievances: Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and Home Minister V.S. Acharya with leaders of the Christian community at a meeting in Bangalore on Thursday.

Bangalore: Members of the Karnataka Christian Social Welfare Association met Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa on Thursday and sought an independent inquiry into attacks on Christian prayer halls and churches.

Speaking to presspersons after the meeting, Mr. Yeddyurappa said that another extended meeting would be held on Monday with community leaders. He said the Government would provide day and night security to churches.M.F. Saldanha, former judge of the Karnataka High Court, who attended the meeting, said that there was a “hate campaign” without proper information on allegations of “forced conversions”.

‘No action’

Home Minister V.S. Acharya has assured the National Commission for Minorities that the State Government will not take any further action on Christian educational institutions which had closed down on August 29 in protest against the violence against Christians in Orissa.

The Education Department had earlier served notices to them seeking an explanation for closing down the institutions without prior permission.

Chairman of the commission Mohammed Shafi Qureshi said that they had advised the Government that to protest was a democratic right and the Government, as a “goodwill gesture”, should not proceed against them.

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