Date:08/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/08/stories/2009010859410500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

‘Rights of all citizens will be protected’

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The State Government on Wednesday informed the Karnataka High Court that it would protect the rights of all citizens in Karnataka, irrespective of their caste, creed or religion even as the Commissioner of the Davangere Municipal Corporation (CMC) filed a memo stating that some churches in Davangere that were locked had been reopened.

Advocate-General Uday Holla made this submission when a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice P.D. Dinakaran and Justice V.G. Sabhahit was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) petition by several pastors and members of the Christian community of Davangere district.

The petitioners had sought the intervention of the court, claiming that some fundamental groups had attacked churches and assaulted pastors. They alleged that even the district administration, particularly the Deputy Commissioner (DC), had failed to provide adequate protection to them.

The Bench advised the parties to refrain from blowing up the issue.