Communalism has no place in society, says Medha Patkar Staff Reporter
| State Government comes in for criticism for not protecting minorities |
Against hatred: CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat and social activist Medha Patkar at a rally organised by the Bangalore Citizens’ Initiative, in Bangalore on Monday.
BANGALORE: Social activist Medha Patkar on Monday called for a people’s movement and not a political movement to create a new social order devoid of communalism.
“There is no place for those spreading communal hatred in this country,” she declared addressing a well attended public meeting under the banner “Save secularism, save democracy” here.
Ms. Patkar, who is also convener of the National Alliance of People’s Movement, alleged that in Karnataka the Government itself had been perpetuating atrocity on the minority communities.
“Mere arrest of one person of the Bajrang Dal is not enough; everyone responsible for the attacks on churches in the State should be brought to book,” she demanded.
Ms. Patkar also referred to the atrocities on Christians in Orissa and condemned the Government’s inaction there.
Earlier, Brinda Karat, Polit Bureau member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), said such attacks on minorities would not be tolerated and the Government should enforce the rule of law.
The main demands put forward included restoring constitutional rights of minorities; initiating appropriate legal action against Bajrang Dal, Hindu Jagarana Vedike, Sri Rama Sene and all other such groups; taking action against police officials “involved” in crimes against the Christian community; providing immediate financial assistance for carrying out repairs to churches and prayer halls that were damaged, and a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the attacks.
Earlier, thousands of people marched from Cubbon Park to Jakkarayanakere Grounds.
The rally, organised by the Bangalore Citizens’ Initiative, was taken out to highlight the increasing incidents of violence in the State after the Bharatiya Janata Party Government assumed office. Holding the Government responsible for the erosion of constitutional rights of Dalits, farmers, Muslims, Christians and other minority communities, the rally and the public meeting highlighted the attacks on these communities.
Karnataka Komu Souharda Vedike president K.L. Ashok, Basavaraj Devaru Swamiji, B.G. Koshi and other secular leaders were present.
