Activists and victims accuse “police inaction” of “growing attacks” on Christian community in Karnataka

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With a recent report claiming an increase in attacks against Christians in Karnataka since the BJP-led state government proposed an anti-conversion law, activists and victims cited “police inaction” as one of the main reasons for this increase.

In one of the incidents that occurred in Belur City of Hassan District on November 28, around 25 Bajrang Dal members broke into a church while the prayer service was in progress, due to allegations of forced conversions.

A church member, who was present at the scene during the incident, later said: “The police arrived after we complained and tried to ease the tension created by right-wing activists. The police also informed us that an FIR had been filed at the Belur police station against five people on the basis of our complaint.

However, she added, “We found out later that no action will be taken even against the five people named in the FIR, because someone on our side would have agreed to a consensual settlement.”

A video that went viral showed activists forcing people out of the prayer hall and a few women from the Christian community engaging in a verbal feud with members of Bajrang Dal.

However, a senior Hassan police officer said the problem “has been settled out of court.” Asked about the next course of action, he said: “During the peace meeting, both sides promised that such problems would not recur, so we decided not to take any action. “

In another issue reported to the United Christian Forum’s (UCF) national helpline, around 40 activists allegedly assaulted a priest and others attending a Sunday prayer meeting in suburban Rajanukunte. from Bengaluru. The Kannada version of a report released last week mentioned that the group interrupted services by throwing stones at the church building and destroyed the altar and worshipers’ vehicles parked on the premises.

“When the police arrived, the activists, who outnumbered members of the Christian community there, pressured the police to file an FIR against the priest. Three days later, the priest was summoned by the police and suggested that they cancel prayer services, citing a sensitivity, ”a UCF volunteer said on condition of anonymity.

The report also noted incidents of vandalism, false accusations and forced arrests in Udupi, Belagavi, Uttara Kannada, Chitradurga and Bengaluru districts.

The joint report by UCF, Association for the Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) and United Against Hate claimed that a total of 32 such incidents have been reported in the state since the start of 2021. He further claimed that at least five of them had taken place. between October and mid-November and said Karnataka ranks third among Indian states where attacks against the Christian community and its places of worship have been recorded.

Former Karnataka High Court Attorney General BT Venkatesh told The Indian Express that police inaction could be attributed to societal and systematic pressure to which the police are exposed. “While the police are required to receive a complaint, negotiations begin to include and exclude certain names in FIRs based on coercion from those in power. In order to avoid the anger of those in need and other negative consequences, police officials are forced to compromise on proper investigation and therefore prosecution of the accused in such cases ”, did he declare.

Venkatesh further pointed out the feudal structure of society which leads to the idea “that force is just” apart from the caste structure which lies in “the existence and subjugation of Dalits” as factors that feed into conversion issues.

Earlier, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai announced that a bill banning “forced conversions” in the state would be passed by the state government in the winter session of the Assembly that was to begin. December 13.

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