Mangalore: 'Attacks on churches not due to conversion'

Mangaluru, Oct 20: The recent attacks on churches in many parts of India are not due to conversion; it is a struggle between Christianity and the Brahminism as they are losing grip over Dalits, said Fr Francis Serrao, rector of St Aloysius institutions, on Sunday Oct 19.

Speaking at Cordel church about human rights and the attacks on Christians, he said that Christian ideology and Brahmin ideology can never meet as Christianity propagates love and Brahminism propagates hate.

The upper caste, which is a minority in India, has exploited the Dalits for thousands of years by implementing the 'varna" system. But the Christian community has been working for their upliftment. Therefore, Brahmins are losing control on Dalits who constitute about 65 percent of the nation"s population. Therefore, Brahmins are provoking others to attack Christianity, said Fr Serrao.

Nobody has given us land to build churches, schools, or hospitals. We are born and bought up in this land itself. Even our ancestors are not foreigners. Therefore, no one can brand us foreigners," he cautioned. Stephen Quadros, secretary, diocesan parish council, said that one can see the fight between Dalits and Brahmins in the Mahabharata itself.

In the Govardhangiri war, Sri Krishna, who represents the Yadav community, defeated Indra, who represents the priestly class. The priestly class is meager in numbers, but is trying to control the whole of India. One can see that the Buddhist religion went abroad because of the atrocities of the Brahmins. Jains are living as the subordinates of Hindus and Muslims are branded as terrorists. Nowadays, the priestly class is provoking others to attack Christianity, he opined.

Well-known social activist, Dr Srinivas Kakkillaya, said that the attack on Christianity was not by the Hindus, but by a minority group which is trying to control the entire nation. Hindus as well as Christians should join together to defeat these terrorist forces, he added.

M P Noronha, president, Catholic Lawyers" Guild said that all should raise their voice when human rights are violated around them. Fr Valerian Pinto, parish priest, Cordel church, presided over the function. Fr Onil D"Souza, Sushil Noronha, Fr Francis Almeida, Lancy D"Cunha, Fr Vijay Victor Lobo, Raymond D"Cunha, and Roy Castelino, were present on the dais.

OneIndia News