Mumbai (AsiaNews) - The
Child Development Centre Sampigehally (Karnataka), a Christian after-school home
to 300 children, is likely to close its doors on false charges of forced
conversion and proselytism. The attack is the work of dozen of the Hindu
nationalists from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), who on September 29
last raided the center, while having no mandate. Compounding the situation, the
intervention of the local police, who gave Brother Reuben, the director, 24
hours to submit proof of ownership on pain of criminal charges. The Global
Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) has been providing legal help to the
center, but at the moment it is not clear in which direction the story will
evolve.
For over 15 years, the Child Development Centre has welcomed children of the
village - irrespective of caste or creed - every afternoon, from 16:30 to 18:00
(local time). Free of charge, after-school care provides the children with a
small meal and help with homework, before they return home. In this way, the children
are followed for the entire day.
"In fact - Sajan George tells AsiaNews - this is the second anti-Christian
incident in Karnataka in the last month." On 26 September, a complaint from
Hindu nationalist Bajrang Dal, four policemen Hunsur interrupted a prayer
service at the Pentecostal Church Parishudda Prarthana Mandir, in the village of Kattemalavadi (district of Mysore). The
officers questioned the Rev. Venkatesh, demanding the Church building permits,
and a special permit to conduct the meeting.
Meanwhile, about 15 Hindu activists arrived on the spot, insulting and beating
the Pastor in front of the faithful. "During the violence - said Sajan
George - the most shameful thing possible happened: the police stood quietly by
watching." At the end of the attack, the nationalists collected and
carried away all the Bibles and Christian materials on the spot. At that point,
the officers dragged Rev. Venkatesh and the community to the police station for
further questioning.