Report and pics from Stanley Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (RD)
Bantwal, Sep 2: The Christian community from all over the taluk, gathered in front of taluk panchayat office here at 10.00 am on Monday September 1, to stage peaceful protest against the recent attack on community brethren in Orissa. They demanded the union and state governments to provide protection to Christians all over the country.
Social activist Dolphy Prashant D'Souza addressing the gathering commended the presence of large number of community brethren, to convey their solidarity with the victims of Orrissa carnage.
Billava community spokesman Harikrishna Bantwal said that Hinduism does not preach killing of fellowmen. All citizens of the country should unite in building nation and not to divide it.
Fr Alban D Souza, parish priest of St Jude’s pilgrimage centre, Pakshikere, said that let the Lord hears the cries and wailing of Christian brethren victimized in Orissa attacks. Even if their wailing goes unheard by both union and state governments, nature would not forgive those who attacked the innocent.
G M Mohammed Kamil Sakhafi, former president of state committee of Sunni Students Federation, said that entire minority community should join in the struggle in order to condemn the atrocities on Christians in Orissa. It is essential to find out the vested interests that are responsible in creating communal violence all over the country.
MLA B Ramanath Rai, minority community vice-president Stephen Mogarnad, Fr Roque D’Sa, Fr Cyprian Pinto, taluk panchayat member Flossy D Souza, Ida Suresh, Karnataka Christian Association Bantwal unit president Noel Lobo were present in the peace protest.
Stany Alvares compered the programme while secretary Suzanne D'Souza proposed vote of thanks.