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 Ever since the Bharatiya Janata Party gained (BJP) a foothold in Karnataka, as evidenced by the results of the recent parliamentary elections, there has been a steady rise in the attacks against the minority communities, particularly the Christians. Although it is so far confined to only certain pockets in the state, there seems to be a pattern in the violence against the Christian community. The latest is the attack on a church in Udupi in the northern Karnataka. As the members of the congregation gathered to worship on Sunday morning (12 September 2004), some Hindu fundamentalists barged into the church and started to create a commotion. Besides disturbing the service, they beat up Pastor Gopinathan and some others. In the melee, Pastor Gopinathan and three believers were injured and they had to be hospitalised for treatment. The attackers also broke the sound system and damaged the furniture and other articles of the church.
The Sub-Inspector of the local police station, who had a soft corner for the Christian community, has been suspended and replaced with a new police officer allegedly under pressure from the fundamentalists. Many of the church leaders and believers are reported to be living under constant threat. Ramnagar ChurchThe worship service on Sunday (12 September 2004) went off peacefully under the protection provided by the local police. All this could happen, as the believers remained united in their resolve to continue with the worship even in the face of grave provocations. Karkala ChurchThe worship service at the church in Karkala also went off peacefully in spite of the allegations raised against its Pastor. Incidentally the church got a stay order from the court against the proceedings initiated against the Pastor. Para for title The recent attack on a church at Udupi once again proves the growing intolerance towards the Christian community in Karnataka. |
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