Conversion has not helped Christian Dalits'

November 27, 2012

Mangalore, November 27: Explaining the status of the Christian Dalits in Karnataka, Deputy Director at the Centre for studies of local culture at Kuvempu University Dr Shanmukha A and Research Scholar Shankarappa N S said that the plight of Christian Dalits has not improved in the State, despite converting from Hinduism to Christianity.

The duo was speaking at a session on 'Problems of Christian Dalits in Karnataka' at the IV international conference on 'Rethinking religion in India' at SDM Law College on Monday. Analysing the condition of Dalits who have converted to Christianity, Shankarappa said that 'discrimination' continued to exist even after their conversion.

The mainstream Christians look down upon the Christian Dalits. There is not much difference between the treatment of Dalits by upper caste Hindus and mainstream Christians. The Christians treat Christian Dalits as the people who have converted for the sake of money and other benefits. They treat converted Dalits as aliens, he said.

Pointing out a few instances where Christian Dalits are not accepted by the mainstream Christians, he said the marriages between Christian Dalits and mainstream Christians are not accepted even to this day.

The Christian Dalits and mainstream Christians do not socialise with each other and mainstream Christians keep the converted away from the functions, the research scholar expressed.

“The evil system of caste continues to exist even after the conversion. In fact, conversion is more disadvantageous, for it deprives the Christian Dalits from seeking benefits under SC and ST quota, making their life more miserable.

Conversion makes Dalits isolated, from the Hindus as well as Christians. Hence the conversion does not solve the problem faced by the Dalits, but it only adds more problem,” he said.

However, there was differences of opinion in the audience, as a scholar who was present at the venue said, the conversion has helped Dalits to gain a little more respect in the society, especially from the members of Hindu community.

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HDK challenges PM Modi to offer 'scientific' explanation for candle-lighting call

News Network

April 5,2020

New Delhi, April 5: Former Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy on Sunday challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to offer a "credible scientific and rational" explanation for his candle-lighting call and said he is giving "meaningless tasks" to an already exhausted population.

The JD(S) leader questioned if the Prime Minister asked the nation to observe a candle-light vigil on the eve of foundation day of BJP.

"Has the PM slyly asked the nation to observe a candle light vigil on the eve of foundation day of BJP? April 6 being its foundation day, what else can explain the choice of date & time for this event? I challenge the PM to offer a credible scientific and rational explanation," Kumaraswamy tweeted.

"The government is yet to provide PPEs for doctors and make test kits affordable for the common man. Without telling the nation what concrete steps are being taken to combat COVID-19 menace, the prime minister is giving meaningless tasks to an already exhausted population," he tweeted.

"It is shameful to convert the national crisis into an event of self aggrandizement & it is beyond shameful to push the hidden agenda of his party in the face of global calamity. May sense prevail upon the PM," the JDS leader said in another tweet.

Amid a nationwide COVID-19 lockdown, Prime Minister Modi on Friday appealed to countrymen to light diyas and candles on April 5 at 9 pm to fight the darkness spread by the pandemic. He asked the people to turn off all the lights in their homes and stand at doors or balconies and light candles or diyas, torches or mobile flashlights for 9 minutes on April 5.

Last month, PM Modi had asked the people to come out in their balconies and clap and beat utensils to show appreciation for doctors, nurses and others helping fight coronavirus on 'Janata Curfew'.

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Mosque to host Hindu couple’s marriage

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January 4,2020

Alappuzha, Jan 4: The management committee of a mosque in Kerala is all set to solemnize the wedding of a Hindu couple, setting yet another instance of the communal harmony prevailing in Kerala.

The Cheravally Muslim Jamaat Committee at Kayamkulam in Alappuzha district in South Kerala is conducting the marriage of Anju and Sharath after the bride's mother approached the Jamaat authorities seeking help.

The marriage will be held at the mosque premises on January 19 as per Hindu rituals and the Jamaat Committee has also prepared the invitations.

Anju's father Ashokan died a few years back and her mother Bindhu was struggling to win bread for her three children. Nujumudeen Alummoottil, a businessman and secretary of the Jamaat had helped the family earlier also.

Hence Bindu sought his help for the marriage of Anju. Nujumudeen discussed it with other members of the Jamaat committee and members of the mosque.

Najumudeen said that there was no hesitation from anyone on conducting the marriage by the mosque at its premises. A gift in cash and gold would be also given to the couple.

Kerala recently witnessed a church allowing the Muslim believers who participated in an anti-CAA meet to offer namaz at the church premises and another church conducting a carol service with the youth of the parish dressed up in traditional Muslim attire.

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Well educated, good decision makers , intelects and wise people are keralites.

Kerala is unique in India for cordial relation between different religions. However, this is not being digested by sanghis and are trying to build gulf between the communities. I am sure that people will not let theese anti national succeed in their wicked behaviour. This communal harmoney is a slap on the faces of enemies of society. Well done keralites. Salute to all of you.

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Release Rs 10,208 crore GST dues to Karnataka: BSY govt urged Modi govt

coastaldigest.com web desk

June 14,2020

Bengaluru, June 14: Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa-led BJP government of Karnataka has once again urged the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led union BJP government to release GST compensation worth Rs 10,208 crore that is due for the state.

The request was placed with Finance Minister Niramala Sitharaman during the 40th GST council meeting, in which Karnataka Home Minister and state’s representative to the council, Basavaraj Bommai, participated.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Bommai said that Rs 10,208 crore was due from the Centre as GST compensation for four four months - from March to May.

“We have requested the Centre to release Rs 1,460 crore - pertaining to GST compensation for the month of March - as soon as possible due to the dire financial conditions of the state,” he said.

Bommai said that the state was confident that the funds will be released soon, noting that Karnataka had recently received Rs 4,314 in GST compensation for three months, between December 2019 to February 2020.

Meanwhile, the state also proposed the Council to reduce penalty for delay in filing GST. Bommai said that while people are made to pay 18% of the tax as fine in delay in payment, Karnataka has asked the Centre to reduce the percentage by half to 9%.

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