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End attacks on Christians: Centre

Vinay Kumar

Home Ministry sends strong advisory to Karnataka, Orissa

“Such attacks are a breach of constitutional provisions”
Says that those involved in violence are roaming freely

NEW DELHI: A day after issuing an advisory to the Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled Karnataka, the Union government on Friday issued a strong advisory to the State government and Orissa, saying the violence against the minority Christian community was a breach of constitutional provisions and the law of the land.

Though Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta’s Friday advisory did not mention that it was invoking Article 355, sources in the government pointed out that the “constitutional requirement” was available to the Centre under Article 355 that enshrined on it the “duty to protect every State against external aggression and internal disturbance and to ensure that the government of every State is carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.”

‘Matter of concern’

The Home Ministry drew Karnataka’s attention to the fact that those behind the violence were “roaming freely,” and said it was a matter of grave concern.

“It has generated a perception that adequate steps are not being taken to bring the situation under control and effective action not taken against those responsible for such incidents,” the advisory sent to the State Chief Secretary said.

Warning that such a situation would “seriously vitiate the atmosphere” in the State, the Ministry said there were apprehensions within the country and abroad. The situation amounted to a breach of the Constitution and the law of the country.

“The situation cannot be allowed to continue and immediate steps should be taken to bring it under control and apprehend the anti-social elements,” the terse directive warned.

The advisory asked Karnataka and Orissa to deploy adequate forces wherever necessary to prevent recurrence of such violence. It sought reports on the action taken by them.

“Restore confidence”

The Thursday’s advisory asked Karnataka to provide “protection to members of all communities, their property and institutions, and to restore a sense of security and confidence among them.”

Similar advisories were sent to Madhya Pradesh and Kerala, asking them to instil a sense of security among all sections of society.

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