Mangalore: A judicial commission which probed
attacks on churches in Karnataka has recommended a ban on all
communal organisations which practise and preach activities
against any religion.
The Somasekhara Commission, in its interim report, said
the existing laws were insufficient and suggested enactment of
special legislation to punish such organisations, including
forfeiting their assets.
"All communal organisations, whatever name or form,
preaching or practising activities against any religion in any
form, should be banned as per the law," retired Judge of
Karnataka High Court B K Somashekhara said in the report
submitted to Karnataka Additional Chief Secretary Abhijit Das
Gupta here, according to sources.
All material in any form -- literature, books, pamphlets,
publication including in the media -- using abusive or
insulting expression whether direct or indirect, touching
religious sentiment should be banned, he suggested, the
Commission said.
Compensation to victims of such attacks should be paid
within a month, said the Commission appointed in the wake of a
series of attacks on churches in parts of the state in
September 2008 for which the first-ever BJP Government in
the South is under fire.
The attacks had also led to the Centre to depute a team to
study the situation and ask the state government to take steps
to prevent recurrence of such incidents.
Miscreants had attacked the Milgress Church here and
desecrated the Holy Eucharist meant for distribution among
devotees, on September 14, 2008, causing a furore with strong
protests from Christians.
Police, who had lathicharged the protesters, were accused
of not sparing even women and children. Later, some more
churches came under attack in the state, including in
Bangalore.
The government had recently extended the term of the
Somasekhara Commission till March 31.
Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa had described the attacks
as a conspiracy to dislodge his government.
PTI
First Published: Monday, February 01, 2010, 23:59