Mumbai: The CSF, which has been spearheading the Demolition of Crosses issue feels there is need for each and every Mumbaikar Christian to join the public demonstration at AZAD MAIDAN, to be announced soon. Do contact The CSF on 9769555657 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like to be contacted on our future plans. Other affected communities have been invited to join in too. The Shiv Sena has already announced religious programmes to protect the structures. We need to ensure we don't take wrong decisions, which we will regret later and speak with one voice.
JMFSR presented to Governor
The CSF: Karnataka Could Only Reach a Point of No Return
Justice MF Saldanha presented his report to Mr. HR Bhardwaj, Karnataka governor, requesting that the same be taken up for action by the state government. Mr. HK Bharadwaj explained his predicament with the BJP government and the sorry state of affairs in Karnataka - which had become caste-based, saffronised and the most corrupt state in the country. Please find JMFS's letter to the governnore below. Among the issues that came up during the meeting were the following:
1. The CM Yediyurappa, Higher Education Minister Acharya, and Law Minister Suresh Kumar all take instructions daily from the RSS leadership. The last gentleman reportedly told the Governor: "We are first RSS sevaks first and then ministers". So the minorities and secular-minded citizens can have little hope. Action needs to be taken fast, before it becomes another Gujarat, where it will be impossible to dislodge the BJP and its saffron minions.
2. The governor suggested the minorities must take up constitutional guarantees in court. "They have no choice, because the state whose duty is to protect the weakest, is bent on destroying them. The problem even here is many judges are either corrupt or biased", he admitted.
3. The govt is openly targetting church and wakf properties for takeover, but the governor assured, he would stand firm against these efforts. What will Bangalore be without St John's Medical College, Bishop Cottons, St Josephs and Mount Carmel?, the governor asked.
4. There is enough material with Home Minister Chidambaram to dismiss the government, but certain senior Congress functionaries are holding him back, giving the impression that they have either been purchased or have sympathies with the Hindutva brigade.
5. The governor uged the Christians to stay united and support each other, as any denominational bickerings would be exploited to the hilt by the Hindutva militant outfits. The price of liberty is vigilance, he added and asked the Christians to remain alert....
6. Vast sections, of the police and justice delivery systems, especially the lower judiciary, is not only safrronised but also corrupt, with very few exceptions. The mining lobby is the main source of the corruption in the state, but the BJP itself cannot do anything about it.
JMFS's Letter to Governor of Karnataka
Shri H.R. Bharwaj
H.E. The Governor of Karnataka
Raj Bhavan, Bangalore.
Your Excellency:
Sub: Attack on Churches in Karnataka in September 2008 and its aftermath
We have great pleasure, albeit with a touch of sadness, in enclosing the ‘Report of the People’s Tribunal Enquiry’ into the attacks on Churches in Karnataka by radical fundamentalist Hindutva forces with the backing of the Police and the local Government in September, 2008.
The attacks shocked the world. Global condemnation followed. The Government of Karnataka appointed Justice B.K. Somashekar (Retd.) to investigate the matter. From the start we were aware that he would not produce a balanced and equitable report. We refused to cooperate with his enquiry.
His interim report was most encouraging and mostly factual. But his final conclusions and findings have revealed that the Hon’ble Judge was biased, prejudiced and did a complete volte face supporting the Government, the Police and castigating the miniscule minority for “self-inflicted” attacks on its own places of worship !
You have already been briefed extensively about what happened. We recommend that Justice Somashekhara Commission Report be rejected in toto .
We recommend that in the light of my Inquiry following findings are established:
1. The Government is culpable in orchestrating and encouraging a series of vindictive attacks on helpless minorities. The then Chief Minister and the then Home Minister supported these illegal actions
2. Four Police Officers:
(i) Mr. A.M. Prasad, IPS – the then IG Western Range, Karnataka
(ii) Mr. Satish Naik, IPS – the then Dakshina Kannada SP
(iii) Mr. Jayanth Shetty, the then DSP Mangalore Rural
(iv) Mr. Ganapathy, the then Mangalore East Inspector
were complicit in these attacks on Churches, places of worship, helpless nuns, children and devotees ( see page 83-84).
3. These officers have been exonerated by the Police Department by giving a mere warning and slaps on their wrists. We recommend that they are immediately suspended and the process of dismissal initiated.
4. In these attacks poor students, petty shop keepers and ordinary folk have been implicated and arrested. All the cases against these people should be withdrawn forthwith as promised by the Chief Minister.
5. The Government had announced compensation to the various Churches and institutions. Not a single penny has been received thus far. Action must be taken to redress this situation immediately.
6. Important: There is a systematic targetting of the minorities in our State especially Christians and Muslims who are currently bearing the burnt of the police power and brutality. The Government may kindly give instructions to ensure that the police stop foisting false cases of conversions and propagation on minorities. Each such case must be screened diligently by the area SP who should be held accountable. For Example last Friday’s arrest of 14 Yemeni Muslims in Bagalkot was illegal and orchestrated by Hindutva radicals with the support of local subordinate police.
Your Excellency, the state of affairs in Karnataka is shocking beyond belief. Your adamant, strident support of minorities has been lauded nationwide. We thank you for your stand in enforcing constitutional guarantees and protecting the most vulnerable and helpless sectors of our society.
We would be grateful if immediate action is taken on my report.
With best wishes,
Yours sincerely,
Justice M.F. Saldanha (Retd.)
- Biji Koshi
