Karnataka - Mangalore   

Christian child care organisations targeted, says Congress

MANGALORE: Dakshina Kannada Pradesh Congress President B. Ramanath Rai has accused officials of targeting child care organisations run by Christians for violations of norms under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act.

Mr. Rai was reacting to the case filed by Child Welfare Committee against Lancelet Pinto, Leader of the Opposition in Mangalore City Corporation, for his alleged violation of the norms by Ashraya child care home in Bejai on Thursday.

Mr. Pinto, a Congress activist, is a managing trustee in the United Social Services Charitable Trust that runs Ashraya.

Committee's chairperson Asha Nayak filed a complaint on Thursday against Ashraya for not registering itself under the Juvenile Justice Act. Ms. Nayak has accused Ashraya of not maintaining records related to 17 children who were staying there. She visited Ashraya following the accusation by Bhajarang Dal activists of conversion. Mr. Pinto was arrested and then released on bail on Thursday.

Mr. Rai said the committee's action was dictated by Bhajarag Dal activists, who had been creating nuisance by visiting the child care centres run by philanthropists. “If the committee is finding illegality it is open for it to take steps including closure of such institutes. By acting on Bhajarang Dal's accusation, the committee is only hurting the communal harmony,” he said.

Mr. Rai said Mr. Pinto was among the many philanthropists who were working for the benefit of poor children.

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