Politician in Karnataka told he must apologize to Christians

(August 27, 2010) Karnataka’s Chief Minister has ordered a lawmaker from his party to apologize unconditionally for an offensive remark he made about Christians. Prahlad Ramani, a member of the state legislative house, said that Christians are a legacy of British colonial rule and they must be “weeded out.” He made the comment while addressing a local celebration on Indian Independence Day, August 15. At a meeting on August 25, Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa assured Bishop Peter Machado of Belgaum that he has told him to apologize and threatened to take action if he does not. However, as Ramani has previously vowed to maintain his anti-Christian stance, it is possible that he will refuse. Yeddyurappa and Ramani both belong to the pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party. “We’re happy about this direction from the Chief Minister, whether he apologizes or not,” said Father Faustin Lobo, official spokesman for the Catholic Church in Karnataka. Meanwhile, Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore has met State Governor H.R. Bhardwaj and the Chief Minister urging them to help avoid further communal problems. He handed them a memorandum which requests that all holders of public office, including elected representatives, “desist from making inflammatory, provocative and derogative remarks against any religion.” Anti-Christian attacks have been on the rise in Karnataka since the pro-Hindu government came to power in 2008.