Click to play videoMangalore: It is Hindus versus Christians in Karnataka as the state remains tense in the aftermath of Sunday's church attacks.
“We have nothing to do with Orissa. Don't we have a right to live?” asks a Christian in Mangalore who said that most Christians are being hounded by the Bajrang Dal.
Roman Catholic Christian community in the calm and prosperous coastal districts of Mangalore and Udupi is now on the streets in full strength to defend itself. They allege that the right wing Hindu organisations are targetting them for raising their voice against the incidents in Orissa.
Trouble began on Sunday when Bajrang Dal activists went on a rampage in Udupi and Chikmagalur districts attacking churches. A total of 14 churches were vandalised in just one hour.
Coastal Karnataka has always been a communally sensitive area. Violent clashes between Hindus and Muslims are quite common, but for the first time this area is witnessing a clash of this scale between Hindus and Christians.
It is the birthplace of the saffron brigade in Karnataka and is responsible for the BJP's phenomenal growth in the state. Locals allege that VHP and Bajrang Dal now feel empowered and are attacking Christians in the name of opposing conversions.
Meanwhile, the BS Yeddyurappa government is in a fix. The Chief Minister, who visited Udupi and Mangalore, vehemently denies the hand of the saffron brigade. He alleges that some vested interests are behind it and they are trying to tarnish the secular image of his government.
“My Government is committed to maintaining peace and harmony in the state. Law and order will be given top priority,” Yeddyurappa said.
However, the peace loving Roman Catholics are not ready to buy his version. They feel threatened and allege that the government is going slow on culprits and arresting mainly Christians.
But Bishop of Mangalore, Dr Alosius Paul D' Souza, wants to put an end to the unrest in a peaceful way. “Please call off the protest. Return home. Government should release all Christians and protect us,” he said.
The 25 lakh strong Christian community in Karnataka has become a soft target of radical Hindu groups in the last one month. Coming just days after violence in Orissa, there are many who are asking whether Karnataka will become another battleground between two religions.
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