Bangalore, Feb 24 - Popular actor and former central minister Ambarish today met the Archbishop of Bangalore, Bernard Moras to express his concern "at the treatment meted out to Christians in Karnataka" and said he would take up the issue at appropriate platforms.
"I am deeply concerned by the fact that the Chief Minister declined to give an appointment to the head of the Catholic Church in Bangalore in spite of several requisitions. This does not augur well with the chair of the Chief Minister who as head of the State should respect religious heads of minorities as well," he said, adding he would take up the issue at the appropriate platforms.

Lauding the contributions of Christians to Karnataka, particularly in education and health, Ambarish, a former union minister, said none could deny the role of Christians who have worked tirelessly for uplift of the common man in all spheres.

"We cannot forget the great contributions made by Christians like Mother Teresa and the numerous charitable organisations run by Christians in the State who have done only good for humanity. Not everyone can afford treatment at hospitals and hence poor people depend a lot on the Christian charity for their medical treatment," he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Archbishop Moras asked prominent and respected personalities in the state to help the community in conveying the truth to the people.

"India is a secular country and we have a constitutional right to practice and propagate our religion like any other community in the country. We cannot be disregarded because we are a minority," he said.

The Christian community had recently held a demonstration, rejecting the report of Justice Somashekara Commission, set up to probe incidents of attack on churches in 2008.