Karnataka government puts on hold survey of churches, awaits HC verdict


Bengaluru, Oct 28 (IANS): The Karnataka government has put on hold a proposal to survey official, unofficial churches and Bible societies and is waiting for the verdict of the state High Court on a PIL in this regard.

The Committee on Welfare of Backward Classes and Minorities discussed the survey aimed at checking alleged forced conversions on October 13, and asked the Deputy Commissioners to carry out the exercise.

Acting Chairman of the Committee Goolihatti Shekar vehemently proposed for the survey and had also raised the issue in the Monsoon session of the Assembly.

Shekar, also a BJP MLA, had stated on the floor of the House that conversion is rampant in his Hosadurga constituency.

"Even his mother has been converted and missionaries got those who questioned conversions booked under atrocity and rape charges," he claimed.

Shekar later organised a "Ghar wapsi" programme in his constituency in which many families were brought back to Hindu religion. He also stated that his mother, who embraced Christianity, returned to Hinduism.

Christian religious leaders and progressive thinkers held press conferences across the state to condemn the move of the government to conduct surveys of churches.

Shekar apologised if he had hurt anyone's religious sentiments with his statements. He maintained that he is opposed to forceful religious conversions.

Only five of the 20 members of the Legislature Committee were present for the meeting on Wednesday and it could not take place for want of quorum.

The meeting is expected to take place on Thursday.

The panel's tenure will end on November 9 and the Speaker of the Assembly Vishveshwara Hegde Kageri will formulate a new committee by mid-November, sources in the government stated.

Government officers explained that the survey is not feasible as it goes against the Constitution.

The government is also waiting to see how the High Court responds to the PIL filed against conducting a survey of churches.

As many as 36 cases of religious conversions have been reported in the state this year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

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Comment on this article

  • Alwyn, Mangalore

    Fri, Oct 29 2021

    My question to all useless BJP Ministers and supporters....If some want to be a Hindu, Catholic, Muslim, Sikh, or Buddhist it is their wish and it is related to their soul. No one can force or bring them back. Now BJP is forcing and they are saying "Ghar Wapsi". Now let me ask two questions can I come back to Hindu religion and I want to be a Brahmin? Second why BJP Modi Shah gang bringing all other MLA and MP to their side when they got elected with other party symbol? These BJP RSS are so idiots we need to send them back to the hell.

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Alphonse Rodrigues, Udupi

    Thu, Oct 28 2021

    term this survey is utter nonsense, madness of the government and a naïve notification. I prefer all Christians to protest whole heartily with non-co-operation, non-violent, abstaining from any kind of votes in elections till it withdraws this draconian Christians worship places surveys. I want to ask the Karnataka MLA Goolihatti Shekhar, during your Assembly Elections time how much you have lured the voters with freebies with brain washed promises to voters with money. Luring the voters is an offense. Tell us how many you have lured while campaigning. Don't be senseless in surveying Christian Churches and their worshipping places private or public. I also want to ask when you, all the police personnel to get transferred, are you not brainwashing & luring the higher authorities or the Ministers with suitcases and this is a grave offense. It is a necked truth

    DisAgree Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jamal, Mangalore/UAE

    Thu, Oct 28 2021

    Invite BJP leaders to attend the conversion classes.

    DisAgree Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • anthony, mangalore

    Thu, Oct 28 2021

    Bommai Ji please stop this harassment of the less than 2% Christian population. We are peacrful, Law abiding and Patriotic citizens.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [27] Reply Report Abuse

  • Alfria, Manglore/Mumbai

    Thu, Oct 28 2021

    This is going to be the waterloo of bomai and the end of his government. First time in history it will be that 80% majority is scared of 2% minority.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [32] Reply Report Abuse

  • Flavian, Mangalore/Kuwait

    Thu, Oct 28 2021

    Alwyn, BJP governmentan sathya naas karn sodle. Anti minority party.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • Alwyn Dsouza, Canada

    Thu, Oct 28 2021

    Pray for those ignorant and hater of Jesus to grant them mercy and wisdom so that they can see the suffering of christ from thier own eyes. So many priests and nuns dedicated whole life for humanity to educate the poor, shelter the homeless, cloth the naked karnataka govt should survey this work and honour all priest and nuns than punish thier honourable work. What a shame of ignorant people who only know how to create problems using conversion label. Shame on you people.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [32] Reply Report Abuse

  • Eulalia D'Souza, Bejai / Mangalore

    Thu, Oct 28 2021

    We hope and pray that justice prevails. With the way this conversion issue is blown out of proportion, Catholic Population would have grown in leaps and bounds. So many of students of various religions have studied in Catholic Institutions, even if a small percentage of it were to be converted, Christian Population would not have been stagnant still at around meager 2.00% . Strange but true, few catholic students still maintain saying : " our priests and nuns could not manage to take us Catholics to church, what happens to non-Catholics." I am pretty convinced with this fact. It never stops surprising me the fact is all our so called strong Hindu Religious Leaders, Politicians and mostly all well placed people in society always look out for the best of Christian Educational Institutions for their children, grand children and all their kith and kin education purpose. So many have gone out of these Institutions without being converted. So what are we trying to prove here saying rampant conversion? Is the government trying to divert people's attention from their duty failures by bringing in these non essential issues? I fail to understand. Anyways Catholics please relax and enjoy because as per Government more conversions are taking place, means our population will at last show some better growth data in the next census.!!

    DisAgree [1] Agree [22] Reply Report Abuse

  • John, Mangalore

    Thu, Oct 28 2021

    Following referenced 1962 socialist / communist 34 point document on how to convert Vatican ( Catholic church) into godless one world church through infilteration, modernisation, bringing in all sorts of scandals with them. They are almost successful and Matthew 24:15 Bible prophecy going to fulfilling soon.... God allows that to judge the clergy also to check true faith, cleanup of evil and bad fruits in the Church.... ( Socialist / Communist plan basically to control first Church and the World, hightech vaccines are part of it, Rev 13:16-18) Ref: https://www.tldm.org/news4/antichristguidelines.htm (view in desktop mode)

    DisAgree [1] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • John, Mangalore

    Thu, Oct 28 2021

    As Socialist Russia and Communist Chinese might capture Vatican soon as warned by Our Lady of Fatima in 1917 of Russian errors, So Also God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity. ... warns the Bible in Romans chapter 1:18 onwards.... 18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. ...... 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools ........ 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. ....... 24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen

    DisAgree [1] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Alwyn Dsouza, Canada

    Thu, Oct 28 2021

    John, very good information and nicely outlined the biblical facts. Hope many read and believe gods divine love on us.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • Deshbhakt, Mangalore

    Thu, Oct 28 2021

    There are some people in our society, who studied in Christian Schools/college/hospitals, working (or got retired after working) in Christian institutions, were born Hindus, practicing Hindus and continue to be Hindus. BUT, still blaming Christians of converting. If what they imply was true, could they have remained Hindus ? This is my question.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [45] Reply Report Abuse

  • ca girishkk, m'lore/dxb

    Thu, Oct 28 2021

    The concern of Churches is un-warranted..., if i have understand.. that the organized churches are functioning very methodically and they are not engage/indulge in preaching Christianity on the streets..., I really don't know why Christians are worrying... so much....none of their institutions are involved in any kind of conversion or for that matter forced conversion........, the definition of forced conversion must be defined by the Govt., & the honorable court... to decide the culpability of such action...

    DisAgree [1] Agree [30] Reply Report Abuse

  • Agee, Indian-UAE

    Thu, Oct 28 2021

    May be government is trying to fulfill Nagpur or Gujrat plans? I pity that they are behind 2% and want to have a count on God's people.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [27] Reply Report Abuse

  • Chandu, Karla

    Thu, Oct 28 2021

    This cow government is wasting public tax money on unproductive things which has no relevance to the development of the State or society at large. Wasting their time at the costs of public tax payers. Morally all are gone bankrupt.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [28] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dinesh, Dubai

    Thu, Oct 28 2021

    Karnataka is ruled by a government controlled by Chaddi Gang....... !! This is the hidden agenda of Chaddi's. They cannot see the contribution of Christian community in upliftment of poor and needy and in building the nation. The people who does not love, don't know God. Let them begin their faith by loving and bringing equality with lower caste people of their own faith.............

    DisAgree [1] Agree [29] Reply Report Abuse

  • Roland Pais, Valencia, Mangalore

    Thu, Oct 28 2021

    If anybody claims that Catholic priests convert people from other faiths should first learn what Catholicism is and how its church functions. The Catholic church is well organized as compared to any other religions. Any activity - small or big - is announced to its parishioners well in advance. All activities from Baptism to the Funeral are well documented with audiovisual aides. Nothing, not even a religious conversion, can take place without the knowledge of the Parishioners. There are several Sodalities and Religious Groups associated with a parish. They work relentlessly and wholeheartedly for the church and its ceaseless good causes. Each one of the Parishioners is in church's WhatsApp Group where all church activities are announced beforehand. In the event of a person coming onboard Catholicism by conversion, the parishioners would be the first one to learn because his name and number would be added into the WhatsApp Group, apart from making a public announcement to that effect. I have never witnessed anything like this anytime. If a person of other faith attends Mass or Prayer Services, it does not imply that the person has been converted. God has given freewill to every individual and by exercising free will, if one comes to the church, he is not sent away. Moreover, the conversion into Catholicism is not as easy as one might think. Utter 3 words and you are converted. No way. It is a lengthy process spanning several months. It does not happen at the drop of a hat. For months, the religious aspirant is prepared to receive Holy Sacraments. He has to learn several prayers in addion to how to pray. He would be taught Catechism. This ardous lengthy process cannot be hidden from anybody by a priest. Nothing in the church can go undetected because there are so many groups working within a parish. Under the circumstances, if anybody claims conversion of people into Catholicism, then this matter should be strictly dealt with, through legal avenues. This is nothing but false fabrication perpetuated to mislead the masses to create confusion and gain personal and political favours. Misleading and creating disharmony amongst people of different faiths is humanity's greatest crime and the perpetrators have their rewards by the Almighty and Living God, our Creator, Saviour, Protector, Provider and Healer. Catholic brethren, let nothing disturb you, nothing frighten you. All things are passing. Patience obtains all things. Nothing is wanting to him who possesses Living God. God alone suffices. Bless the Enemies of Christianity (never curse). Bible says so. Keep praying steadfastly and encounter the miracles unfolding, which have been countless and mighty in the History of Christianity.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [50] Reply Report Abuse

  • shuba, Mangaluru

    Thu, Oct 28 2021

    Whoever gets converted to any religion it is his/her inner conscience to worship the one alone "GOD" how does it matter to the ruling govt. who are limping behind to see the other various fields where they need to take immediate action and move towards motivation of citizens. This happens only in India in the name of religion the ruling party takes decision and gives benefits

    DisAgree [4] Agree [49] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sheriff F, Mangalore/Farangipet

    Thu, Oct 28 2021

    Its time for this faction to get on the street and hold a massive protest as show of strength. Show some spunk Guys!,,, Dont always depend on others to fight it for you. Internet karsevaking in the comfort of your homes wont get you anywhere.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [38] Reply Report Abuse

  • Joel, Mangalore

    Thu, Oct 28 2021

    Why is survey needed for a population whose count isn't going to reach proper 3% even in the near future.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [59] Reply Report Abuse

  • Flavian, Mangalore/Kuwait

    Thu, Oct 28 2021

    'Never, underestimate God's power' The power of God will take you out of your own plans and put you into the plan of God. First time in the history of India !

    DisAgree [8] Agree [90] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Karnataka government puts on hold survey of churches, awaits HC verdict



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