attacks christians southern attacks christians southern refer wave attacks directed christian churches prayer halls indian city surrounding area southern september october hindu organisations attacks widely perceived christians southern punishment right wing hindu nationalist organisations outspoken christian persecution assassination hindu monk allegedly local christian community non alleged responsible forced conversions christianity isolated incidents christians reported august onwards august institutions india participated prayer peace communal harmony response ongoing anti christian violence jesuit institution christian schools went strike varying periods august september prior attacks protesting events defiance orders government stated regular work day led government christian institutions state orders led demonstration outside weeks prior main attacks attacks began september group youths went inside chapel near churches prayer halls including catholic protestant churches temples belonging witnesses evangelical colleges damaged towns villages parts district district district christian institutions later attacked district frustration anger christian community responded attacks hours began protesting catholics staged protest september organised kilometre silent protest march blocked arterial city roads masses especially places bells churches calling churches protests led strong police suppression charges tear gas making arrests injuring people incident marked time catholics resorted violence provoked september october new wave anti minority attacks began christian communities indian states muslim communities september attacks political significance given ruling state government led accused involvement backing anti christian campaigns police reported knowledge imminent attacks failed prevent police criticised reaction protests report committee human rights activists set aftermath examine causes attacks claimed event pretext assault community defend justice concluded police government helped maintain order responsible attacks response alleged conversions involvement gave month deadline stop conversion activities roman catholic diocese declared distance february retired justice outspoken protests published report described attacks state sponsored terrorism attacks communal forces work attacking christian institutions coastal belt india report continued denial state government implicated attacks led christians representing christian denominations secular organisations leading silent march february following publications reports subsequent protests government announced drop cases christians protested attack december cases christians dropped background cause long major christian centre india portuguese took possession christianity began spread christians migrated persecuted reign forcibly converted islam february rounded catholics transported held captivity years killed british battle catholics taken captive survived half 19th century protestant missionaries began working surrounding communities established noted churches strong representation catholics time known rome east noted pilgrimage centre given numerous hindu temples percentage christians living india reportedly dropped cent cent declining figure linked ongoing difficulties facing christians predominantly hindu nation estimated christians living district explanations cause september attacks christians believe attacks direct response right wing hindu organisations targeting people surrounding area outspoken persecution christians jesuit institution christian schools went strike varying periods august september prior attacks protesting anti christian persecution contrary orders government stated regular work days primary secondary education minister responding shutting christian educational institutions directed public education department issue cause notices schools objected violence christians christian institution reportedly received notice education ministry strike saying conducted protest closure schools criticised action submitted letters requesting action context asked cause action initiated religion excuse announce holiday permission run institution withdrawn state home minister explained reason notices christian institutions grant aid institutions government courtesy inform declaring holiday decision act tolerated education minister backed state president issued statement stated christian education institutions committed crime declaring holiday obtaining state government permission condemned statement action christian education institutions leader stated minister statement proper lead law order problem state proponents protested banners outside gates saturday august day college closed holiday chanting hail mother noted closure schools institutions india participated august prayer peace communal harmony response events explanation attacks angry response allegations forceful religious conversion distribution vulgar literature hindu gods claimed nearly people forced adopt christianity religion past year monitoring situation book written reported hindu gods causing anger hindu activists alleged excerpts book published pamphlets spread influence leader believed attacks solely motivated religious conversion claimed neighbour converted christianity marry christian girl stating holy saint school studied fifth standard allow wear according hindu tradition rector stated believed attacks conversion reflection struggle christianity christian ideology ideology christianity love hate attacks violence christians reported month prior main attacks august performed hunger strike outside church august church burning christian literature events complaints arrests events days later august christian prayer hall pastor district attacked leading arrests september group individuals attacked district burning people arrested scene multiple attacks started september churches attacked attacked hour included catholic protestant churches temples belonging witnesses attacks began group youths hindu nationalist organisation aims achieve reversing invasions muslim british arrived chapel shouting pro slogan entered monastery attacked feet high golden coloured regarded sacred object church oil lamps altar statues saints couple praying chapel time beaten reportedly injured time group people wearing masks attacked building armed iron pipes cricket stumps sticks shouting pro aside damage buildings windows religious furniture christian literature damaged churches gang youths attempt prayer hall efforts thwarted police september stones chapel christian college located badly damaging windows badly damaged statue located house near badly damaged including windows furniture damaged police reports confirmed lady properties infant jesus higher primary school damaged night september pastor claimed attacked prayer hall reported smashed window equipment set motorcycle car fire later early hours september individuals broke belonging diocese district burned bible carpet prayer books holy icons district seven masked men arriving reported large statue jail road throwing flower smash glass covering official report attacks later claimed likely suspects attacks churches district including harassed people gathered people reportedly invaded house prayer meeting neo convert areas affected attacks include individuals targeted event men children attacked hindu mob near bridge way hometown private car owner wife attacked unidentified people separate stabbing incidents reported men affected admitted hospital injuries september year old statue mary damaged attempted burned september shattered glass mother mary statue september gang stones destroyed idols september attacks reported including prayer hall near district churches near gold crowns cash offering box stolen main jesus infant jesus smashed statue damaged group reported stones church fled catholic school attacked september october hindu nationalists directed wave attacks christian communities muslim communities christian protests response attacks areas christian community began protesting blocked arterial city roads masses especially places bells churches city calling churches christians united defend church protest violence broke monastery police began sticks shells disperse stones police police police reported caused damage monastery throwing stones glass bottles union minister labour employment arrived scene catholics staged protest september condemning attacks particular organised kilometre silent protest march bus stand headquarters submitted memorandum protests involved people present incumbent parish priest parish priest parish priest parish priest parish priest parish priest parish priest priests area christian clashed police area outskirts shouting throwing stones police failure arrest perpetrators attacks police arrested christians firing air involved charge witness claimed christians attacked houses retaliation shouting government people pro hindu organisations reportedly injured outskirts vehicles attacked stones people including ram activists reportedly stabbed protests according police situation settle personal scores stabbing incidents related attack churches subsequent violence city protested stabbing activists organising educational institutions shops district administration responded declaring holiday educational institutions extended orders section criminal procedure code days wake attacks protests precaution christians initially arrested police incident comparison seven young members initiated attacks chief minister later stated press conference total people arrested attacks resultant protests day period charged looting arson rioting saying punished accordance provisions law charged bbc reported people arrested events superintendent police claimed arrests total policemen half dozen people journalist reportedly injured incident police vehicles damaged police stated people injured police vehicles damaged overall attacks nearly people police injured attacks total injured taken father churches attacked neighbouring district remained peaceful aftermath congregations gathered churches hearing news attacks spend night protect attacks local catholic leaders demanded peaceful september city response catholic traders transport owners closed shops stopped vehicles memorandum submitted district council seeking protection lives property christians prayers held churches district wednesday september october people civil society religious organisations organised march protest anti christian perpetrators attacks reports state police misconduct christian community accused police prevent attacks hindu police superintendent admitted police information pro hindu organisations planning attack christian places worship district failed christian community accused government involvement attacks backing anti christian campaigns response report police information chancellor diocese said police knew advance prevent attacks hope security arrangements near successfully barred entering centre particular location leading violent conflict police police criticised christians excessive force suppressing protests aggressively christian protesters whilst failing punish hindu nationalist perpetrators photographs video footage emerged beating police reported resident alleged police took custody tortured opened case sending jail days resident claimed police personnel entered premises wearing helmets usually worn drivers ones meant police personnel wonder police personnel resident alleged orders imposed inside church compound outside church compound stones alleged police tear gas shells past date premises exposure gas resulted problems catholic women reported incidents police violence deputy commissioner government officials revealing demanding action taken president met affected women visited hospitals schools parishes area expressed concern way police handled event police suspended following stone throwing incident police jurisdiction windows church smashed chief minister stated senior civil police officials districts held responsible attacks churches prayer halls occurred areas jurisdiction stating strict action taken police fear favour district community members reported administration attempted superintendent police transferred official report attacks initiated government released january contradicted stated impression allegations police officers district administration attackers attacking churches places worship merit concerned police districts best successful large number charge sheets filed courts finally identity state claimed incarcerated days released bail justice october regime save government embarrassment church attacks instructions leaders police originally protested released bail week attacks stated government permitting attacks fallen low values corruption reactions political response prime minister spoke chief minister phone delhi residence aftermath attacks churches christians expressed shock attacks directed chief minister immediate steps provide ample protection religious institutions maintain communal harmony district congress committee submitted memorandum deputy commissioner demanding state government initiate legal action punish attacks congress party opposition leader said responsible attacks creating social adding actively violence christians state special home secretary visited areas affected attacks said state government needs arrest responsible attacks strongly denied involvement government attacks admitted police blame taking measures describing duty believed attacks response interest trying secular image government said press conference government committed maintaining peace harmony state law order priority government law creed punished state government ensured special security given important places worship state aftermath attacks set corps detectives investigate promised christian community leaders churches districts attacks restored paid visit areas affected communal riots attacks politicians prime minister secular national president visited christian institutions aftermath february allocated millions christian development projects state budget time advised government power prevent attacks restore faith authorities region asking strongly suppress violence vandalism punish offenders senior leader day visit denounced attacks saying strongly condemn acts violence vandalism law course brought justice defence minister wrote urging restore peace challenging prove alleged conversions wrote letter prime minister asking impose blanket ban wake attacks remarking send message world secular india tolerate colour kind described attacks state sponsored accused government trying turn state laboratory religious response diocese paul stated christians deeply hurt monastery met aftermath attacks said want tell wounded public relations officer diocese said consulting leaders based assurance given chief minister district charge minister police district administration appeal community stop immediately maintain peace principal said response attacks resultant protests retaliation christian community saw happening time history state correct response condemn youth started imitating enemy lot fear don know stones rain roofs scared talk said christian community deeply hurt shocked attacks saying strongly condemn act violent believe violence respect administration law country respect religions christian minority community need protection kinds anti social anti religious activities community leaders press conference appealed internationally stating want bring notice world human right commissions authorities canada use diplomatic channels total collapse law order parts india failure state protect lives clergy minority community general secretary mumbai based visited churches attacked event said political economic interests hitting vengeance christians sitting ducks retaliation expected church works areas government profitable church education healthcare social services backward areas empowered weak poor deprived interests vote banks cheap labour emancipation education healthcare awareness alternatives provision opportunities set oppressed classes free upper rich slavery political masters interests hitting christians maintain hold exploiting ages condemn conversion force catholics accept conversion comes heart brigade raises believes nazi propaganda chief sic principle repeating lie times stick ploy divide catholics divide rule makes easy remaining christian population groups convert realise individual converts finds previous religion limitations christianity better faith indian christian middle_east united condemn attacks indian catholics met reverend september voice support catholic community held special prayer service peace solidarity september cathedral auditorium advisory executive committee members met september residence denounced attacks united_states september christian leaders organisations met residence bishop catholic mission announced day prayer peace rally illinois september vicar general diocese urged christians unite umbrella regional vice president urged communities unite regardless religions said indian churches american local churches expected join peace seeking rally history making event hindu leaders including denounced attacks leaders hindu militant youth organisation denied catholic churches attacked group reportedly accepted responsibility attacks prayer halls belonging stated christianity region offended alleged forced conversions initially denied involvement attacks arrested september asked later date accepted responsibility attacks denied resigned october witnessing hindu woman decided commit suicide children saved christian missionaries stated time realised life important religion lot needs life dream build society values life religion jail read literary works joined youth good cause end day concepts politically motivated february commission reports attacks published formally apologised public attacks accused corruption february joined declaring today communal harmony working successor denied involvement attacks pro hindu elements believed attacks politically motivated main opposition parties state purely based religious indifference especially church attack response alleged forced conversions gave month deadline stop conversion activities bishop paul declared diocese distance stating believe forceful religious conversion opposed general secretary stated christians microscopic minority india aside differences come fight fascist forces described stance taken diocese improper objected peace agreement local catholic leadership allegedly laid code ethics christians follow remarked indian constitution code ethics indians investigation district headed chairman failed discover evidence forced conversion stated commission received report forced conversion district administration district said indian right religion conversion force permitted investigations initial report committee composed human rights activists formed look violence stated attacks carried asserted event pretext police let loose savage assault community sacred institutions police conducted activists officers law gaze friendly state government police reported interested investigating assaults asked ban conducting reports events retired justice outspoken protests published report investigating attacks christian institutions people written visited locations examined witnesses victims attacks described attacks state sponsored terrorism concluded attacks incidents took place instigated pre planned supported state covered state report stated responsibility home minister chief minister believes communal forces work attacking christian institutions anti islam movement coastal belt india later backed said riots wider plan radical elements targeting christian community muslim community manifested ruled states india stated cent evidence things state machinery police role attacks churches photographic evidence police entering places worship official commission attacks christians originally constituted september period months extended times causing dismay local christians initially stated judicial inquiry attacks unnecessary believed state police competent investigate bring perpetrators justice jesuit priest remarked government early release commission report government lacking political act criticised government soft believed extension indication government step attitude christians official report justice initiated led state government eventually public january stated attacks suspected initiated denying involvement state government police true cover attacks collecting exhibits materials related attacks spot examining attacks churches report stated basis christian politicians mainstream state government directly indirectly involved attacks politicians representative political party state incidents attack benefits immediately come commission evidence opinion matter report cost million took months pieces recorded evidence realised concluded district authorities police cases taken appropriate steps church people including required protection concluded attacks carried elements following circulation literature insulting hindu gods reports conversion activity christian groups roman catholic church leaders involved conversion case district noted government withdraw privileges people getting converted illegal activities conversions commercially report widely criticised christian community biased activists belonging burnt copy report archbishop rejected report stating failed address terms reference commission failed justice christian community demanded state government launch probe attacks saying representation government putting forth demand representation chief minister governor organisations including central government disputed report statements involvement state issued statement saying role play incidents attacks churches statement given attacks personal views organisation clarified aspect president district unit approved report believing report correct assertion involved attacks protest february following publication contradictory reports attacks churches christians representing christian denominations secular organisations gathered protest present bishop emeritus csi southern diocese general secretary bishop lawrence catholic diocese diocese general new generation churches united including campus crusade christ operation good news book centre secular organisations participating protest included local unit muslim muslim groups protest rally organised backdrop apparent concerning hindu government agencies protesters tied black mouths carried black flags walked kilometre strongest christian areas city catholic lay leader guided march stated black action government commission christians said sea christianity wounded attacks churches fundamental groups government look faith patience people justice february chairman higher education minister submitted memorandum demanding cases filed christian youths dropped following publications reports subsequent protests government announced drop cases christians protested attacks december cases christians dropped request diocese
2008 attacks on Christians in southern Karnataka