*Bangalore Christians Protest Against Orissa Violence* *By SAR NEWS*
*BANGALORE, Karnataka (SAR NEWS)* -- Prominent Christians and leaders from other religious faiths September 7 demanded immediate intervention by the Centre to stop the unabated violence against Christians in Orissa. Member of Parliament H.T. Sangliana, F.T.R. Colaso, retired DG, State legislator K.J. George, Muslim leader Obaidulla Shariff, Sardar Bhatia from the Sikh community, Anglo-Indian leader Ivan Nigli, Chraista Ranga chief Benedict Balu, ICCC president Sunil Fernandes, AICC leader Kumar Swamy, BMFI president Pericho Prabhu, prominent Hindu leaders led by Dalit leader V.T. Rajashekhar, David Pichamuthu of the Karnataka Christian Social Welfare Association and 150 nuns led by Sister Genevieve, former principal of Mount Carmel College, staged a demonstration in front of Mahatma Gandhi statue on M.G. Road September 7 morning. They also demanded the despatch of the Army to restore peace in Orissa, protection to all churches and worshippers, a commission of inquiry headed by a judge of the Supreme Court and compensation to all victims of violence. The Christian representatives also voiced their concern over notices sent to Christian institutions by the BJP government in Karnataka for declaring a holiday on August 29 in sympathy with the victims of Orissa. These notices display the bias of the government as they clearly state that the action was being taken at the instance of the Bajrang Dal, which they claim had protested the closure of the institutions. V.T. Rajashekhar said Christian institutions should stop admitting Sangh Parivar and extremist elements and instead give seats to the Dalits and minorities. Shariff said the Muslim community would stand by their Christian community in their hour of need. Sangliana and K.J. George said they would be taking up the matter with the Chief Minister shortly. George said he would be calling a meeting September 13 at the Legislators' Conference Hall in Bangalore to review the situation in Orissa, Bangalore and Davangere, where there have been attacks on Christians and churches. Colaso called for a dialogue with the leaders of the majority community and cautioned against inflammatory speeches and activity.