The Davangere district administration orders the closure of three churches in the town,

The Davangere district administration has ordered  the closure of three churches in the town, which are facing allegations of illegal conversions by outfits like the Hindu Jagarana Vedike. In his order sealing the three churches in the KTJ Nagar area, the Davangere Deputy Commissioner labelled them unauthorised.

Over the past two successive Sundays, police cases have been registered in Bangalore against nearly 25 people, leading to the arrest of as many as 12, including an American, on charges of "promoting enmity between different religious groups" and "insulting religious feelings", under Sections 153 A and 295 A of the Indian Penal Code.

Local police officers at the Frazer Town and Ulsoor police stations where cases have been registered said they had received complaints from members of Hindu groups alleging forcible conversions and use of inducements against the arrested persons.

Last Sunday, September 7, a mob of over 200 people attacked a church in the Bada village of the Davangere district over alleged forcible conversions.

"Over the last eight months to one year there have been allegations of forced conversions in Davangere district. Cases and counter cases have been registered. On Sunday some 200 villagers provoked by a handful of people attacked a church. We have arrested 17 people on charges of instigating the attack," Davangere Superintendent of Police Sandeep Patil said. According to the police in Davangere, they have identified 75 churches across villages in the district and have enhanced security in the face of the recent attack.

The incidents come on the back of the state Education Ministry issuing show-cause notices to over 2,000 Christian schools for staying shut on August 29 to protest the violence against Christians in Orissa.

Some leaders of the Christian community, including BJP MP and former police officer H T Sangliana, have staged protests in Bangalore over the alleged targeting of Christians and will submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister seeking better protection.  ... More