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2008 attacks on Christians in southern Karnataka

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+#REDIRECT [[2008 attacks on Christians in southern Karnataka]]
-[[Image: Adoration Mangalore.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Destroyed property inside Adoration Monastery, [[Mangalore]], after it was vandalized by activists belonging to the [[Bajrang Dal]], during the [[September 2008 attacks on Christians in Mangalore]]]]
-The '''Anti-Christian violence in Karnataka in 2008''' was a wave of attacks directed against [[Christian churches]] and prayer halls in [[Karnataka]] by the Hindu extremist group [[Bajrang Dal]]  around 2008  .<ref>[http://archive.deccanherald.com/Content/Sep192008/scroll2008091990873.asp?section=frontpagenews UPA govt puts State on notice] Deccan Herald - 19 September 2008</ref><ref>[http://www.deccanherald.com/content/21327/adoration-monastery-attack-pre-planned.html ‘Adoration Monastery attack was pre-planned’] ''[[Deccan Herald]]'' - 25 August 2010</ref>
-There was also a wave of church bombings in the early 2000's by the once banned Islamic organization called Deendar-E-Anjuman which alleged that Christianity was not an 'Indian' Religion <ref>http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-11-28/bangalore/27920961_1_blasts-church-j-j-nagar</ref>.
-== Background==
-The attacks started in response to  forced conversions, land grabbing and distribution of inflammatory literature targeting Hindu gods by the New Life Church - a fringe Protestant group operating in the state.  The Catholic churches while denying any association with the group have joined the Hindus in condemning the activities of the New Life Church.  The denials of New Life Church however, has been seen as "unconvincing" so far<ref name="ibnlive.com">http://www.ibnlive.com/news/new-life-church-under-fire-from-hindus-and-catholics/73816-3.html</ref> At the same time, the Bishop of Mangalore Diocese reiterated that the Catholic Church has never been involved in forced conversions.<ref name="ibnlive.com" /><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/16/stories/2008091659220300.htm | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | title=We have no link with ‘New Life | date=16 September 2008}}</ref>
-===Satya Darshini===
-At the heart of the attacks were charges of the distribution of the ''Satya Darshini'', a [[Kannada language|Kannada]] book containing inflammatory material denigrating Hindu gods and which irked Hindu groups. The  book, originally published as ''Ruju Darshini'' in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] by the 'Karunamaya Ministries' more than a decade earlier had in fact been banned after it had sparked off communal riots in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh in 1998.  Rev. Paravasthu Suryanarayana, the pastor of the 'Karunamaya Ministries' is reported to be the author of the Telugu original.  The book is said to have been translated by a certain Sriramreddy of Bangalore, and revised by Rev Samson S Malekar of Davangere. A G Prakash of Suvarta Sevadal, Bellary reportedly edited it.{{citation needed|date=January 2012}}
-The New Life Church however, flatly denies all allegations of publishing, printing or distributing the book.<ref>http://www.newlifevoice.org/currentissues.asp</ref>
-==The violence ==
-On 14 September 2008, about 20 churches were allegedly vandalized in [[September 2008 attacks on Christians in Mangalore|Mangalore]], [[Udupi]], [[Chikkamagaluru]], and in other districts of Karnataka. The Assailants had damaged [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic Church]]es, [[Protestant churches]] and [[Kingdom Hall]]s belonging to [[Jehovah’s Witnesses]] groups. The violence soon spread to [[Kolar]], [[Dakshina Kannada]] and  minor damage was reported from the state border of [[Kasaragod district|Kasaragod]] in [[Kerala]].<ref name="ht_19sept">http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=13221&size=A</ref><ref name="bbc_Sept17">{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7621590.stm | work=BBC News | title=More church attacks in Karnataka | date=17 September 2008 | accessdate=25 April 2010}}</ref>
-<ref>[http://www.indianexpress.com/news/BJP-Govt-soft-on-Bajrang-Dal--probes-church-funding/362741 BJP Govt soft on Bajrang Dal, probes church] The Indian Express - 20 September 2008</ref>
-On 15 September, violence erupted in the aftermath of serial attacks on churches and missionary prayer halls in the coastal areas of Karnataka escalated as four persons were attacked and Christians resorted to violent protests in which more than 40 persons were injured.<ref>[http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=469377&sid=NAT]</ref>
-On 21 September, two more churches in Bangalore were attacked.
-Iron rods were used to break into a church in [[Mariyannana Palya]]. The [[eucharist]] was desecrated, and furniture damaged. The donation chest was broken, and [[Rs.]] 1,000 [$20] stolen. In all, the cost of the damage was Rs. 18,000 [$360].
-The second attack took place in [[Rajarajeshwari Nagar]] in west Bangalore. The statue of [[Virgin Mary]] outside a church was damaged as some people pelted stones.
-.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7628740.stm More Karnataka churches attacked] BBC - 22 September 2008</ref><ref>[http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=1&theme=&usrsess=1&id=223434 Fresh attacks on churches] The Statesman - 22 September 2008</ref>
-== Bajrang Dal's involvement ==
-Mahendra Kumar, the state convener for the Bajrang Dal group, claimed responsibility for the attacks.<ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com">{{cite news| url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bangalore/State_will_arrest_Mahendra_Kumar_/articleshow/3501029.cms | work=The Times Of India | title=State will arrest Mahendra Kumar | date=19 September 2008}}</ref> He was arrested on 20 September, after the state government was sternly admonished by the [[Government of India|Central Government]].<ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com" /><ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Ktaka_Bajrang_Dal_convener_held/articleshow/3502563.cms Attack on churches: Karnataka cops arrest Bajrang Dal convener] The Times of India - 20 September 2008</ref>
-The Bajrang Dal group claims that Hindus are being illegally converted to Christianity in the area. They claim that the Christian missionaries are running a large scale conversion program with a long term plan to divide India on the basis of religion.{{citation needed|date=January 2012}} The ban on catholic church in China is quoted as an example of the intentions of the church.{{citation needed|date=January 2012}} However, the recent anti-Christian violence in Karnataka and [[Orissa]] have led to calls for a ban on Bajrang Dal.<ref name="More church attacks in Karnataka">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7621590.stm More church attacks in Karnataka] BBC - 17 September 2008</ref><ref>[http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/22/stories/2008092255981300.htm Gowda demands ban on Bajrang Dal, Srirama Sena] The Hindu - 22 September 2008</ref>
-== Government faces criticism ==
-[[B.S. Yeddyurappa]], the [[Chief Minister]] of Karnataka, said the attacks were provoked by conversions of [[Hindus]] to [[Christianity]]. He also alleged that a [[Protestant]] group had distributed literature which insulted Hindu gods. The Chief Minister however clarified that he was not defending the actions of those who attacked prayer halls and churches in Mangalore, Udupi and Chikmagalur on Sunday.<ref name="More church attacks in Karnataka" /> Later, the Christian leaders denied it and commented that [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) was inciting violence rather than working to calm the situation. On the other hand, the Central Government had strongly criticized and sent showcase notices to the state Government for not solving the issue effectively.<ref>[http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\09\20\story_20-9-2008_pg4_13 India government warns state over anti-Christian attacks] Daily Times - 20 September 2008</ref>
-According to [[National Commission for Minorities]] that the Karnataka government of serious lapses in handling the situation and they found directly responsible for allowing violence to spread, and said the police failed to solve the issue effectively as the violence continues. They also clarified that there were no reported complaints of forced conversion registered in the state.<ref>[http://www.ptinews.com/pti\ptisite.nsf/0/5365C77C003E62FC652574CB00232C24?OpenDocument NCM blames Bajrang Dal for Karnataka, Orissa violence] Press Trust of India - 21 September 2008</ref><ref>http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=93531</ref>
-On 18 September, the Congress led Central Government issued an advisory under ''Article 355'' of the constitution to the Orissa and Karnataka governments.<ref>http://etalaat.com/english/News/state-scan/2803.html</ref> Directives issued under Article 355, if unheeded, become a prelude to invoking [[President's Rule]].<ref>http://www.ejcl.org/81/art81-4.html#h1</ref> The next day, the centre issued a separate and sterner advisory to Karnataka demanding urgent steps to restore peace.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/Centre_gets_tough_with_Orissa_tougher_with_Karnataka/articleshow/3504924.cms | work=The Times Of India | title=Centre gets tough with Orissa, tougher with Karnataka | date=20 September 2008}}</ref> However, the Chief Minister [[BS Yeddyurappa]] blamed lapses on the part of the police for these attacks, and directed the home minister and [[Director General of Police|DGP]] to act against jurisdictional police officers.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bangalore/CM_blames_cops_/articleshow/3511160.cms | work=The Times Of India | title=CM blames cops | date=22 September 2008}}</ref>
-A  high-level official team headed by Union special secretary (internal security) M L Kumawat was rushed to Mangalore and other affected places in the state.  Senior Congress Party leaders [[Veerappa Moily]], [[Margaret Alva]] and [[Janardhana Poojary]] also visited the state.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/Ready_to_die_for_Christ_Bangalore_Archbishop_tells_Yeddyurappa/articleshow/3515705.cms | work=The Times Of India | title=Ready to die for Christ, Bangalore Archbishop tells Yeddyurappa | date=23 September 2008}}</ref>
-On 22 September, the Archbishop of Bangalore has spoken his reaction regarding the issue to the Chief Minister B. S. Yeddyurappa.<ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Archbishop_slams_Karnataka_CM_over_church_attacks/articleshow/3513469.cms Archbishop slams Karnataka CM over church attacks] The Times of India - 22 September 2008</ref>
-==See also==
-*[[Anti-Christian violence in India]]
-*[[September 2008 attacks on Christians in Mangalore]]
-== References ==
-{{Reflist}}
-==External links==
-*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B38XvS51ACw Playing the communal card in India's poll (30 April 2009)], [[Al Jazeera English]] on [[youtube.com]]
-{{DEFAULTSORT:Anti-Christian Violence In Karnataka}}
-[[Category:Christianity in India]]
-[[Category:Religious violence in India]]
-[[Category:Anti-Christianity]]
-[[Category:2008 in India]]