K’taka CM blames Christian orgs for communal unrest

With his government facing flak over recent attacks against churches, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa blamed certain Christain organisations for flaring up 'disharmony and social tension' in the state.

With his government facing flak over recent attacks against churches, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Monday blamed certain Christain organisations for flaring up “disharmony and social tension” in the state.

“While Christians and Hindus have co-existed peacefully in the state, there have been unconstitutional and illegal efforts by some Christian organisations such as ‘New Life’ to forcibly convert or to induce conversion to Christianity,” he said, addressing National Integration Council meeting in New Delhi.

“Efforts of such organisation include publishing booklets like ‘Satya Darshini’ in which Hindu gods and goddesses were denigrated. Our constitution provides for freedom of religion but does not permit forcible or induced conversion,” he said.

He also criticised some Union ministers and alleged political vendetta. “It was very unfortunate that our state was targeted for political vendetta by ministers and officials of the Government of India,” he said.

He stressed that there was no need to send central advisories or rush a team to Karnataka in the aftermath of attacks on minorities.

“There have been serious communal and terrorists activities in other states such as Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Tripura, Delhi and Andhra Pradesh. The Union government was not so active in sending advisory notes, at times touted as notices (under article 355) to the states,” he added.

The Karnataka CM claimed that “due to immediate steps by the state government, peace and normalcy was restored in the affected areas.”

Story continues below this ad

Meanwhile Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister of Orissa, which also witnessed communal attacks against minorities in its Kandhamal district, said the clashes had occurred due to conflict of interest in land rights and employment opportunities.

“On account of conflict of interest in the matter of land rights, employment opportunities and religion, there were clashes between communities,” Patnaik said.

He added that the situation was brought under control and the state government has announced a slew of measures to facilitate harmonious and speed up socio-economic development of different communities living in the district.