Book of Integration Council New - Ministry of Home Affairs

genuinely interested in the socio-economic upliftment of the minorities. Hence,
we have increased the allocation for miniorities by 46% in our first Budget
presented in July 2008. Even though there was not a single elected Muslim
MLA in our Party, we appointed a well known Muslim scholar as a Cabinet
Minister. For the first time in the history of India, a Muslim woman has been
nominated on the Karnataka Wake Board, based on the recommendation of Muslim
scholars. For the first time, we have set up a Working Group to prepare a
Vision Document for the long term plan for sustainable and scalable models for
the development of Minorities. Our endeavor is to mainstream the minorities
and remove the feeling of alienation among them through our genuine efforts
which will bring about Communal Harmony and National Integration.
While our efforts are on to integrate the minorities into the mainstream
through their socioeconomic development, some of the anti-national and antisocial
elements are working against this process. We will not let Karnataka
become a haven of the terrorist and terrorist organisations.
Due to our pro-active efforts, the Ramzan month and Dasara were peaceful
and was celebrated harmoniously by the Muslims and Hindus. However, antinational
and anti-government forces are not happy with our efforts and activities
aimed at bringing integration among the different religious and social groups in
the State. They have been working to disrupt the peace and harmony in our
society which will not be tolerated by our Government.
While Christians and Hindus have co-existed peacefully in the State for
many centuries, there have been unconstitutional and illegal efforts by some of
the Christian organisations such as 'New Life' to forcibly convert or to induce
conversion to Christianity. Their efforts include publishing booklets such as
"Satya Darshini" denigrating Hindu gods and goddesses. Such conversions are
being resisted and agitated against by other religious groups. Our Constitution
provides for Freedom of Religion but, does not permit forcible or induced
conversion. Threrefore, the activities of 'New Life' and other such organizations
are creating disharmony and social tension in the State.
On 14th September 2008, there were some attacks on the Christian religious
places in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Chikkamagalur Distirct by mobs
protesting against conversions leading to law and order situation in these districts.
I along with Home Minister, Principal Secretary, Home and Director General of
Police visited Dakshina Kannada and Udupi District on the same day. Due to
the effective and immediate steps taken by the State Government, peace and
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