Archbishop slams Karnataka CM over church attacks
Source: Indiatimes.com

New Delhi, Sep 22: The Bangalore Archbishop on Monday lashed out at Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa for the recent attacks on churches in the state.

An angry Archbishop told the Karnataka chief minister he was very upset with the attacks.

“I want to tell you, Mr Yeddyurappa we are wounded,” the Archbishop said.

“What’ll you do if one of your temples is destroyed?” he questioned.

“I am saying publicly we are very hurt,” he emphasized.

The emotional Archbishop made these comments after Yeddyurappa had called on him earlier in the day.

On Sunday, for the first time since the attacks by Hindu mobs on churches began last week, two churches were desecrated in Bangalore. There was another attack in Kodagu district, about 300 km from Bangalore.

In Bangalore, the St James church in Mariammanapalya near Hebbal and the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus in Rajarajeshwarinagar were desecrated by miscreants early on Sunday. Police said they detained seven people and suspended a constable for negligence in protecting the shrines.

The fresh attacks bring the BJP-led state government's ability to deal with the anti-Christian violence into question. Chief Minister Yeddyurappa, however, said the attacks were an "organized conspiracy" to disrupt the state's law and order.

The chief minister admitted that there have been lapses in the policing system in dealing with the repeated attacks.

In Kodagu district, members going for prayers to Brethren's Church at Nellihudikeri on Sunday morning found portions of the front glass facade of the church broken. They lodged a complaint with the police. Mystery however, surrounds the incident as two constables were guarding the church.

Following Yeddyurappa's admission of failure of the policing system, the state government has pressed the Karnataka State Reserve Police and Home Guards into service. Mobile patrols are on alert in Bangalore. City police commissioner Shankar Bidari has asked his forces to pull up their socks and ensure security of all churches.

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