In Karnataka, right-wing groups have been involved in a disturbing incident where Christian religious books were set on fire in Kolar. The incident occurred during a door-to-door preaching drive by representatives of the Christian community. Allegations of conversions by the church have been made, leading to this communal attack against Christians in Karnataka. So far, no arrests have been made, and the police have warned the Christian community against distributing religious booklets. Surprisingly, no members of the right-wing groups involved in the incident have been apprehended.
An anonymous police officer stated that both the right-wing groups and the Christian community members have reached an amicable settlement after being warned against creating communal disharmony. However, the incident remains concerning as it reflects a growing trend of communal attacks on religious minorities in Karnataka.
During the incident, representatives of the Christian community were intercepted and questioned by members of the right-wing groups. The attackers then proceeded to snatch the booklets and set them ablaze. While admitting to burning the religious books, one member of the right-wing groups claimed that they did not act violently and argued that the Christian representatives were distributing books and propagating about Christianity in their neighborhood.
The incident in Kolar marks the 38th attack on religious minorities in Karnataka over the past 12 months. The frequency of such attacks has increased since the state government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), began considering a bill to ban forcible religious conversions. This wave of attacks targets not only Christians but also other religious minority groups in the state.
According to a Fact-Finding report compiled by the United Christians Forum, the Association for Protection of Civil Rights, and United Against Hate, there have been 32 attacks on churches and the Christian community in Karnataka from January to September. An additional six attacks have been reported between October and December. These numbers reflect a concerning rise in targeted violence against religious minorities.
In response to the situation, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai announced that a bill on forcible religious conversion would be discussed during the Winter Session of the state assembly. The proposed legislation aims to curb forced conversions, which have become prevalent in the state. Chief Minister Bommai clarified that the bill is intended to prevent conversions through inducements. He also emphasized that there is public support for such a law, pointing to similar legislation enacted in other states, such as Uttar Pradesh.
The incident in Kolar highlights the urgent need for communal harmony and religious tolerance in Karnataka. It is essential for authorities to take appropriate action and ensure that those responsible for such attacks are held accountable. Protecting the rights and safety of religious minorities is crucial for maintaining a peaceful and inclusive society. Efforts must be made to promote understanding, respect, and coexistence among different religious communities in the state.
