Karnataka governor vows to protect minorities

(Aug. 14, 2009) The governor of southern India’s Karnataka state has reiterated his pledge to protect minority Christians and Muslims in the state. Governor Hans Raj Bharadwaj made the promise when he called on Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore at his residence on August 10, to greet the prelate on his birthday. “I will even walk barefoot for the minorities if any of their rights or freedom is violated,” said the governor, who took office on June 29. During the 50-minute meeting he said “at every cost I will ensure that the minority communities in Karnataka are protected, whether Christian or any other community.” He said it was his resolve to ensure that not a brick of any minority institution is touched. He said he had talks with all top level police officers and shared his mind with them on these issues. He said he is well aware and informed of the incidents that took place last year and was concerned why peace was disturbed. In the violence that began last year, Hindu radical groups attacked at least 24 churches and prayer halls and beat up Catholics across the state. The Governor told the archbishop that he is already going around meeting leaders of various minority communities in the State. Archbishop Moras later took the governor to his private chapel and prayed over him and for all leaders of the state.