Udupi: Bajrang Dal Protest Against Banner at Kalmady Church
With Inputs from Ivan Mascarenhas
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SM)
Udupi, Dec 26: Chaos erupted outside Stella Maris Church, Kalmady here on Wednesday December 26 after actvists of Bajrang Dal took offence over a banner put up at the Church.
The banner shows the image of Vailankanni with a Brahmin holding a pot. The story goes that a Brahmin boy had a vision of Mother Mary and offered her a pot of milk on request.
The Bajrang Dal acivists on Wednesday gathered in front of the church and staged a protest, demanding immediate removal of the banner and an apology from the Church.
Anil Bangera, Udupi unit convener of Bajrang Dal said that someone informed him on Tuesday December 25 night that a banner hurting the sentiments of the Hindu community had been put up at Kalmady church.
"We will not be satisfied with just removal of banner. We demand an apology. Even earlier such incidents have happened, one of them in Kodavoor where a Hindu boy was made to learn the Bible," he alleged.
Though police was ready to take down the banner, the activists did not allow without an apology from the Church.
On hearing of the protest, Fr Alban D'Souza, parish priest of Stella Maris Church met the protestors and said that the Church had no intention to hurt anyone sentiments. He also assured that the banner will be removed, but the protestors were not convinced and demanded unconditional apology.
Speaking to Daijiworld, Louis Lobo, vice-president of the church said that the banner was put up on December 8 to mark the silver jubilee of Our Lady of Vailankanni Shrine at the Church.
Udupi and Malpe police along with DySP Prabhudev Mane arrived at the spot and brought the situation under control.
As per the latest update, parish priest Fr Alban reportedly issued an apology and the matter was resolved after the banner was removed.
A case has been registered at Malpe police station and investigations are on under the guidance of SI Lingaraju.