Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady (SP)
Beltangady, Oct 11: On Sunday October 10, social service works like repairs of roads, clearance of roadsides etc., were undertaken by the activists of student organizations under police protection, at Madantyar in the taluk. The policemen provided protection to them because of the threat perception caused by the objections raised by Hindu groups to the said work on Saturday.
On Saturday, October 9, after the students undertook the voluntary work along with local Christian youths, Hindu organizations had complained to Punjalakatte police station, alleging that these activists are likely to indulge in religious conversions and that their clothing is provocative. On Sunday, about 30 policemen including circle inspector, Sudarshan, and Punjalakatte sub-inspector (SI) of police, Madhava Koodlu, Beltangady SI, B G Subbapuiramutt, Venur SI, UmeshUppalige, provided protection to hundreds of activists.
On Sunday, assistant priest of Sacred Heart Church in Madantyar, Rohit D’Costa, explained that activists of Young Christian Students and Young Students Movement studying in various high schools in different places, had come to Mandantyar for taking part in a camp organized here to give them first hand experience about village life. Voluntary work for social cause is a part of the training regimen meant to hone leadership skills, self-confidence etc., of the students, he said. He insisted that allegations of religious conversion were part of a malicious campaign undertaken by anti-social elements and that no religious conversion had been undertaken here. Fr Ronad D’Souza, director of YCS and YSM units of Mangalore diocese, was present.
In the meantime, convener of Bajrang Dal, Bhaskar Dharmasthala, told the media that children are made to wear provocative dresses while undertaking voluntary work and that they are being made to work hard. He said that voluntary work could have been conducted after giving proper information to the general public in advance.
Circle inspector, Sudarshan, said that the policemen have not noticed any activities like religious conversions, and that no anti-social activities will be allowed to be conducted.