Karnataka CM reconciling, donates land

As a goodwill gesture, the Chief Minister of Karnataka B S Yediyurappa, on Sunday, gave away an acre of land for the development of the Christian community in Bangalore.

Attending a gathering of the Federation of Konkani Catholic Associations (FKCA), Yediyurappa along with Dr V S Acharya, state home minister, made the assurance to the Catholic society.

Archbishop of Bangalore Bernard Moras in his address thanked the chief minister for the contribution of land and further urged the Karnataka government to consider allocation of funds for Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land.

He requested Yediyurappa to follow similar guidelines implemented by the Andhra Pradesh government that extended the Haj pilgrim scheme to Christian minorities yearning to visit holy sites in Israel.

Noted community leader, Ronald Colaco, in his address, denounced the recent persecution of Christians in the state on allegations of "forced conversions". He denied these claims and asked the home minister to waive all charges against Christian youths who were arrested during the communal clash in September.

The attacks synchronized with the August Orissa violence as the Bajrang Dal and its members continued going rampage causing a ruckus in the state. They damaged at least 20 prayer halls in different locations.

The home minister assured Colaco of all support to the Christian community from the BJP government.