The BJP government in Karnataka took umbrage to the remarks made by top officers of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) visiting the state on vandalism in churches in the state.
Internal Security special secretary M L Kumawat and Human Rights joint secretary A K Yadav — who are on a fact-finding mission in the state — on Wednesday said they have found the security ring around churches “inadequate”. They have asked the state government to take “more action” to rein in those involved in the attacks on churches at Mangalore, Udupi and Chikmagalur districts.
“We suspect the role of a single organisation both in Mangalore and Bangalore,” said Kumawat. “We have told (Home Minister Dr V S Acharya) about our observations.” The team also called on the Governor Rameshwar Thakur. The Governor is likely to send a report on the situation to the Centre on Friday.
Soon after the departure of the Central team, the BJP government in Karnataka described these top officers as “representatives of the UPA”.
Pointing out that the state government had ordered a judicial probe into the attacks on churches and appointed a retired judge, Karnataka Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs S Suresh Kumar said: “The (Central) team has assumed the role of a quasi-judicial inquiry commission and is passing judgment.”
{{/usCountry}}Pointing out that the state government had ordered a judicial probe into the attacks on churches and appointed a retired judge, Karnataka Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs S Suresh Kumar said: “The (Central) team has assumed the role of a quasi-judicial inquiry commission and is passing judgment.”
{{/usCountry}}Meanwhile, the Opposition Congress and various Christian organisations staged protest marches across the state today to condemn acts of vandalism in churches and prayer halls.