Author: PTI
Publication: ZEE News
Date: February 1, 2010
URL: http://www.zeenews.com/news600706.html
A judicial commission which probed attacks
on churches in Karnataka has recommended a ban on all communal organisations
which practise and preach activities against any religion.
The Somasekhara Commission, in its interim
report, said the existing laws were insufficient and suggested enactment of
special legislation to punish such organisations, including forfeiting their
assets.
"All communal organisations, whatever name or form, preaching or practising
activities against any religion in any form, should be banned as per the law,"
retired Judge of Karnataka High Court B K Somashekhara said in the report
submitted to Karnataka Additional Chief Secretary Abhijit Das Gupta here,
according to sources.
All material in any form -- literature, books,
pamphlets, publication including in the media -- using abusive or insulting
expression whether direct or indirect, touching religious sentiment should
be banned, he suggested, the Commission said.
Compensation to victims of such attacks should
be paid within a month, said the Commission appointed in the wake of a series
of attacks on churches in parts of the state in September 2008 for which the
first-ever BJP Government in the South is under fire.
The attacks had also led to the Centre to depute a team to study the situation
and ask the state government to take steps to prevent recurrence of such incidents.
Miscreants had attacked the Milgress Church
here and desecrated the Holy Eucharist meant for distribution among devotees,
on September 14, 2008, causing a furore with strong protests from Christians.
Police, who had lathicharged the protesters,
were accused of not sparing even women and children. Later, some more churches
came under attack in the state, including in Bangalore.
The government had recently extended the term
of the Somasekhara Commission till March 31.
Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa had described
the attacks as a conspiracy to dislodge his government.
