Government accused of avoiding action against Bajrang Dal activists

Bellevision Media Network

Mangalore, 12 April 2011: Leaders from various organisations, who staged a protest here on Monday, alleged that the State Government had deliberately not taken action against the Bajrang Dal activists who organised the vigilante attacks on the youth. They had organised the protest to condemn the Bajrang Dal’s alleged interference in the functioning of childcare homes run by Christians.

 

The protesters said the administration, including the police and the Child Welfare Committee, had supported the activists by registering cases against two childcare organisations for alleged violation of provisions related to the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act.

 

The CWC recently registered a case against Ebenezer Ashram in Haleyangadi and also against Lancelet Pinto, the Managing Trustee of the United Social Services Charitable Trust that manages Ashraya home in Bejai, at the behest of the Bajrang Dal, they alleged. The Bajrang Dal activists allegedly forced students from a home managed by Stella Mary to get down from a bus heading to Gulbarga.

 

 

Vincent Alva said he was pained over the apparent inaction of the State Government against the Bajrang Dal activists, who had been creating disturbance in the childcare organisations run by Christians and Christian Missionaries. “Who has given power to these activists to question the organisations which are working for empowering the needy?” he asked.

 

Mr. Alva alleged that the follow-up action by the police and the CWC following the nuisance indicated of a concerted design to create religious disharmony. Referring to the complaint against the home managed by Stella Mary, Mr. Alva alleged that the CWC made the children wait till 9 p.m. even as the organisation had obtained necessary permission.

 

“Stella Mary is an organisation that has been in existence since 1938 and has been working for the betterment of the oppressed classes,” he said. The institutions run by Missionaries were keen on improving the lives of people and provide education, he said.

 

Krishnanand D. from the Dalit Sangarsh Samiti said the police should take strict action against the Bajrang Dal activists for causing disharmony. “If you fail to take action, we will be forced to take legal action,” he said.

 

Ali Hasan from Muslim Merchants’ Association said a handful of people had been creating disharmony. “The police have to take stern action against such activists,” Mr. Hasan said.

 

In a memorandum addressed to Governor H.R. Bhardwaj, the organisations said they had lost faith with the way the State Government addressed the problems faced by Christians and other minority groups. They sought appointment of officers who respected the Constitution. They demanded the arrest of all activists indulging in creation of religious disharmony.

- The Hindu / Udayavani