Christian council issues list of anti-Christian attacks in Karnataka

The All India Christian Council (aicc) on Dec. 9 released a verified list of widespread anti-Christian violence in Karnataka.

The aicc confirmed details for 48 major incidents of violence or discrimination against Christians across 14 of 29 districts in Karnataka between August and October 2008. The complete list can be found here.

The incidents ranged from mob attacks on Christian homes to vandalism of 39 churches. Over 53 Christians were injured.

The largest number of attacks was in Dakshina Kannada District (formerly known at South Canara). Roman Catholic churches bore the brunt of attacks (11) along with the Believers Church denomination (5). Nineteen independent churches or prayer halls, the clear majority, were targeted.

The frequency of the attacks peaked on Sept. 14, 2008, with 12 attacks near Mangalore and another six attacks elsewhere within a few hours. It is notable that at least 16 of 39 attacks on Christian places of worship occurred after September 14 in spite of appeals to state and central authorities. AICC say they are tracking the progress of the Justice BK Somashekara Commission of Inquiry, constituted by the state government on Sept. 19, 2008.

Separately, the AICC welcomed the indictment of the so-called "Deendar church bombers" on Nov. 29, 2008. Karnataka Special Judge SM Shivanagoudar found 23 men guilty of a series of bomb explosions at several churches in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Goa states in the year 2000. The men were members of the Deendar Channabasaveshwara Anjuman Trust. The trust is a syncretistic cult which combines elements of heretical Islam with a Karnataka Hindu religious tradition.

Dr Joseph D'souza, AICC President, said, "After eight years, justice was awarded to those who targeted Christian places of worship. We sincerely hope the Karnataka judgment will encourage state authorities to expedite investigations and arraignments of those guilty of violence against Christian property, pastors, lay persons, and, especially, women. Sadly, in many cases, policemen themselves are accused such as the assaults on peaceful female Christian protestors in Mangalore in September 2008. Delays in the administration of justice only encourage extremists who have increasingly targeted the Christian community."

Dr John Dayal, AICC Secretary General, said: "While we welcome the end of the trial and the awarding of the death sentence to 11 persons and life imprisonment to 12, we must note that a majority of our leaders oppose the death penalty on principle. Even when violence is inflicted on our community, we are taught to forgive and show grace unmeasured."

D'souza and Dayal sent a letter to the President of India, Smt Pratibha Devisingh Patil, discussing the Deendar church bombers' sentence on Dec. 8, 2008.