All faiths in India condemn attacks on Christian-run homes for children in Karnataka State.

(April, 12 2011) In southern India’s Karnataka State, thirty-seven groups belonging to all faiths have publicly condemned a pro-Hindu group’s attack on Christian-run homes for poor children. They deplored the new trend among Hindu fundamentalists to “train their guns” on students, especially those from poor homes, alleging proselytization. “There are more than 80,000 students studying in Christian schools in Mangalore. If every student was made a Christian, by now India would have become a nation full of Christians”, said Vincent Alva, a Catholic leader. “We may be Muslims or Christians but before that we are Indians,” said Muslim leader Ali Hasan, addressing nearly 4,000 people assembled on Monday, (April 11) in front of the local district commissioner’s office in Mangalore. Dalit leader D.Krishnananda said Christians have donated their houses to establish schools but now the fundamentalists are stopping them from even imparting knowledge. Since 2008, when the pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party started ruling Karnataka State, there have been at least 24 attacks on Christians and their institutions. The police registered a number of criminal cases against Christians when they protested the attacks, but did nothing to safeguard them.