It was on September 13 and 14, 2008 that faith was attacked in worst possible manner and the episodes that unfurled later were even more bitter. Havoc was unleashed by a section of fascist groups and this compelled the peace-loving Mangalorean Catholics get out on street and fight against the atrocities.
The attacks that began from adoration monastery at Milagres, touched several pious places of worship of the Catholics, which left behind a scar that refuses to heal even after five long years.
Hundreds of Catholics, including women and children were beaten black and blue, for no mistakes of theirs. The police too allegedly attacked the protesters who were manifesting their disappointment and pain by coming out on streets.
The two-days of attack on faith became history and today it remains to be a black mark on the glorious culture of Mangalore.
The attack on places of worship that happened for two days had far reaching impact on the lives of every Catholic. Hundreds of innocent youth were arrested and put behind bars for protesting. This in itself took violent turn later. Entire Mangalore was the centre of debate and world was surprised by the reaction of Mangalorean Catholics for attacking church and monastery. Though most of the Catholics experienced the taste of `Lathi' for the first time, many politicians and community leaders did not hesitate to gain enough mileage.
If one could recall, September 14 being Sunday many were enjoying their weekends and partying around the city. But sudden developments made every person come out of the gala mood and condemn the act of some intolerant fascist groups, evidently misled and misinformed.
“On September 14, I was in midst of a celebration as it was Kulshekar parish feast. My friend called me at 12 pm and told about monastery attack at Milagres. When I rushed there along with my neighbours I noticed huge crowd there. Though the protest was peaceful, police resorted to caning in the evening,” says victim David Christy Dsouza, who now works in Abu Dhabi.
“On Monday early morning my mother woke me up and said she could hear church bells ringing. I rushed to Kulshekar church and saw parishioners inside the church compound and police standing outside the compound. After some time the protest turned violent. Initially police fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd and ultimately resorted to caning. Many innocents who were inside the church premise were beaten brutally,” he explains.
Similar lathi-charge incidents were reported from Vamanjoor and Permannur church on the same day.
State working president of PUCL P B D' Sa speaking to coastaldigest.com said that in 17 places, small prayer groups belonging to non-Catholics were attacked and only adoration chapel of Catholics was attacked in Mangalore. While there was no attack on Catholic churches, the word 'church attack' spread all over the world like wildfire.”
Recalling the incident former Karnataka High Court Judge Justice M F Saldanha added, “it was a planned attack by the BJP government and they used political power to close the issue. Present government must start new investigation and reject Justice Somashekar report which is carrying false information. I have submitted an investigative report, which records facts. This must be accepted by the government,” he said.
Since the focus was shifted on protesters, rather than attackers, the real culprits were never exposed. Therefore, the ghost of church attack still haunts many Mangalorean Catholics, though the cases against the protesters have been withdrawn by the state government.
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