Karnataka chief minister promises steps in dropping charges against Christians

(October 31, 2011) The chief minister of southern India’s Karnataka state has said that he will take steps to drop the charges brought against 150 Christian youths following anti-Christian violence in 2008. Chief minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda made the pledge to 13 Catholic bishops of the state who demanded the “immediate withdrawal” of the charges at a meeting with him on Friday. The bishops, led by Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore, also submitted a letter alleging that the state had given “protection and support” to the real culprits, while victimizing “helpless and innocent Christians.” Bishop Henry D’Souza of Bellary said on Monday that the chief minister’s assurance “was a good step’’ and that they will get a positive outcome within the week. The bishops also demanded a probe by India’s top investigating agency into the attacks “to find the truth, to punish the culprits and to instil confidence’’ in the Christian community. The southern Indian state witnessed 24 attacks on Church institutions and Christians in September 2008. Since then, around 300 cases of anti-Christian violence have been recorded. The bishops’ letter noted that in 2008, churches were “systematically and simultaneously subjected to well-planned vandalism and attacks.” They also urged the government to reject a report by a government appointed commission that exonerated Hindu extremists and police after the violence.