Click to play videoBangalore: Lakhs of Catholics visit St Mary's Basilica in Bangalore each year on September 8 to commemorate the birth of Mother Mary. This time the celebrations are subdued.
The reason for this is a standoff with the saffron brigade over alleged conversions. Two evangelists, including an American, have been arrested for allegedly trying to convert Hindus. Christians deny the allegation.
“People can say anything; they can say we are alluring people into our religion. But if someone goes on a fact-finding mission then they will find no such thing,” says Father Adolf Washington, public relations officer for the Archdiocese of Bangalore.
The friction is evident in other parts of Karnataka as well. Clashes broke out in Devangere on Sunday over alleged conversions. Hindu groups vandalized two makeshift churches and 10 days ago, the BJP staged protests before a church in Hubli after Catholic schools struck work to protest communal violence in Orissa.
The state education department has issued notices chiding convent schools. Christians says they are being targeted under BJP rule, but the party's affiliate, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, continues to be on the offensive.
“Christians have to learn some lessons from this. They should know that they shouldn't attempt this (conversions),” says B N Murthy, VHP general secretary
The BJP government celebrates 100 days of power on Tuesday, and wouldn’t like a controversy to spoil its celebrations. Political analysts say the party plans to start preparations for the 20099 general elections later this week, and wouldn’t want to hurt minorities now.
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