Christian Council condemns 'selective targeting' of minorities

Mangalore, November 8: All India Christian Council, Karnataka Chapter (AICC) and Karnataka Missions Network has condemned 'selective targeting' of the minorities in Karnataka.

Addressing a news conference here on Monday, Justice Michael Saldanha said that this selective targeting of minority is tearing apart the social fabric of the sub continent.

Calling the attacks on churches as pre planned act and not sporadic incidents, Saldanha said that though such incidents had occurred in Gujarat, Orissa, North Eastern states, the incidents have come under control in these states. Unfortunately, such attacks started in Mangalore and continue to happen even today.

Talking about the attitude of the law enforcing authorities, Saldanha said that in 2008 Church attack, as many as 367 false cases were filed, of which 30 per cent cases were booked against innocent students who are even today appearing before the Court for no fault of theirs.

“Though a section of cases were withdrawn, it has come to light that cases booked against the culprits have been withdrawn while cases booked against the victims are still left as it is,” he said adding that though a person has been nabbed in the recent attack, one has to look beyond the obvious and try to know the invisible hands that have operated behind this person in executing the crime.

Karnataka Missions Network Chairman Walter J Maben said that the situation has gone from bad to worse and in this juncture, the community is wondering if it should still remain quite. “Whenever we ask the police about the action taken to nab the culprits in these cases of vandalism, they say action is being taken. Wonder if withdrawing cases on accused is the only action taken by them,” he said.

Narrating the state under which the smaller denominations have been functioning, he said that recently a prayer center head in Ullal was summoned by the Police to inform that they need to possess exclusive permission from the Deputy Commissioner to carry on prayer meets.

AICC Co-ordinator Anand Kumar Jogul said that State Government has been releasing lot of funds for Hindu religious centres and the heads for their services to the society. “Even we are doing service to the Society. Why are funds not released to us,” he questioned.

Komu Soudhardha Vedike General Secretary K L Ashok among others was present.

The news conference was held in the backdrop of the 'Persecuted Pastors' Conference' organised by AICC in the city on Monday.

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From malls to highways, Kannada signboards to be enforced in Dakshina Kannada

News Network

February 4,2026

Mangaluru: Urban local bodies and gram panchayats should make the use of Kannada on signboards mandatory while issuing trade licences to commercial establishments, Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Darshan HV said. He also called for regular inspections to ensure compliance.

Presiding over the District Kannada Awareness Committee meeting at the deputy commissioner’s office, Darshan said the city corporation would be directed to ensure that shops operating in malls prominently display their names in Kannada. “All commercial establishments, including shops, companies, offices and hotels, must mandatorily display their names in Kannada on signboards,” he said.

The deputy commissioner added that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) would be instructed to include Kannada on signboards along national highways. Banks, he said, would be directed through committee meetings to provide application forms in Kannada.

“Even if English-medium schools and colleges impart education in English, their signboards must display the institution’s name in Kannada. Steps will also be taken to ensure that private buses display place names in Kannada,” Darshan said.

During the meeting, committee members raised concerns over the closure of Kannada-medium schools in rural areas due to a shortage of teachers and stressed the need for immediate corrective measures. They also pointed out that several industries employ workers from other states while overlooking local candidates.

Members further demanded that nationalised banks provide deposit and withdrawal slips in Kannada. It was brought to the deputy commissioner’s notice that the presence of staff without knowledge of Kannada in rural branches of nationalised banks is causing hardship to local customers.

Meanwhile, MP Srinath, president of the District Kannada Sahitya Parishat, urged the district administration to allot land for the construction of a district Kannada Bhavana in Mangaluru.

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