Bangalore Archbishop protests attacks on churches

Bangalore, Sept.22 : The Archbishop of Bangalore, Bernard Moras, has strongly protested the attack on at least 20 churches, which resulted in injuries to 34 people, including five policemen.

I am saying publicly we are very deeply hurt,'' Morras told Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa in the presence of reporters.

What will you do if your temple is destroyed?'' Moras asked Yeddyurappa, a senior BJP leader in Karnataka.

Yeddyurappa said the violence was unacceptable. We also are hurt'' by the attacks, he said.

Police have blamed the radical Hindu group Bajrang Dal for the violence and have arrested over 70 members, including their senior leader Mahendra Kumar.

The attacks in Karnataka follow weeks of Hindu-Christian violence in Orissa that left at least 25 people dead.

Hindu hard-liners claim missionaries force or bribe people to convert to Christianity.

The missionaries, who work mostly with poor tribes in the region, deny anyone has been pressured or paid to change their religious beliefs.

Christians account for about 2.5 percent of India's 1.1 billion population, while more than 80 percent of Indians are Hindu.(ANI with inputs)

ANI