Date:19/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/19/stories/2008081960990300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

‘Atrocities against Christians increasing’

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: Expelled Bharatiya Janata Party MP from Bangalore North Constituency H. T. Sangliana has complained to Home Minister V.S. Acharya that atrocities against Christians by the Bajrang Dal and Hindu Sena have increased of late.

In a letter to the Home Minister, the copies of which were released to the press here on Monday, Mr. Sangliana urged him to direct the State police to deal firmly with culprits and bring them to book.

He said many Christians had brought to his notice that the atrocities were being meted out to Christians in different parts of the State, including Davangere, Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, Bijapur, Gadag, Madikeri, Bangalore Rural and Bangalore City.

He alleged that the extremist elements were trespassing into the churches when the worship service was on and were causing commotion besides destroying the church property and beating up priests.

He said the attacks were being made on the imaginary and made-up conversion charges without any evidence. The attackers were also claiming that they had blessing of BJP, Mr. Sangliana added.