The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Church attacks: court pulls up district administration for locking up churches

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Tuesday, Jan 06, 2009
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Church attacks: court pulls up district administration for locking up churches

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: Deeply perturbed over the illogical decision of the district administration in locking up some churches in Davengere district, the Karnataka High Court on Monday not only made its displeasure known over the unilateral act but also said that it is for the Government to take appropriate decisions to maintain peace in the area.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice P.D. Dinakaran and Justice V.G. Sabhahit passed the order on petitions by several pastors and members of the Christian community who had moved the court after attacks on the churches and pastors.

The Government advocate, submitting on behalf of the Deputy Commissioner of Davangere, said some of the churches were locked up after reports that forced conversions were taking place. The Bench asked the Government to file a report on the issue by afternoon.

The report to the court, faxed by Superintendent of Police, Davangere, said no forced conversion had taken place at a church in Malebannur, near Davangere. It said the wife, mother and sister of a person named Gangadhar had converted to Christianity. It also said that Gangadhar had opposed the conversion.

Meanwhile, counsel for Commissioner of Davangere City Municipal Council (CMC) said he had locked the churches after the Deputy Commissioner asked him to do so. Taking umbrage at the contradictory statements of the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of P, the Bench sought to know from the Government how the Deputy Commissioner instead of providing protection to churches, had ordered their closure.

It said that the Supreme Court had time and again made it clear that the State should protect religious places. It orally took to task the DC for not controlling or punishing those who wanted to attack churches. Referring to the faxed contents by the Superintendent of Police, it said the police needed to be congratulated for filing an unbiased and truthful report.

It asked the Government and the Davangere police to file a report by January 7.

Earlier, the Bench pulled up the Deputy Commissioner for coming dressed to the court in casual dress. It said officers should maintain decorum when they come to the court.

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