By C V Joseph
Bengaluru
Christians in Karnataka have condemned the removal of a statue of Christ Jesus at Mahima Betta in Doddasagarhalli village, Devanahalli taluka, rural Bangalore on March 3.
“It is very sad, unfortunate and regrettable that the police, bowing to the pressure of a few outsiders, have forcefully removed the statue of Lord Jesus,” said Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore on March 4.
He also said the removal is a blow to the communal harmony of the people in the villages. “Besides, it is also violation of the religious freedom guaranteed to all by the Indian Constitution. If there is an instance of forceful conversion, let the government investigate and take action,” the archbishop added.
At the public meeting held in the presence of the administrative officer and police officials, the villagers had publicly acknowledged that the presence of Christians and their prayers caused no problem for them.
“In this scenario, why should some outsiders go and disturb the harmony of the village,” the archbishop asked.
Archbishop Machado observed that actions like removal statues would bring no credit to the government or to the local authorities.
“This is only to unnecessarily interfere in the religious tenets and practices of Christians by yielding to the pressure of some groups,” he said and pointed out that Christians are peace loving people who obey the rules of the country and render their selfless service to the nation in the best possible ways, irrespective of caste, color or religion.
Courtesy Matters India http://mattersindia.com/