Press statement

The Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), in unequivocal terms condemns the attack by the Hindu fundamentalists on Pastor Isaac Samuel, in Davanagere, on 2-1-11, Sunday evening, while he was conducting a special New Year Prayer Service to the believers living in the hutments of Devraj Urs Layout in Davanagere. It is indeed very sad that the entire incident is being distorted and a concoted story is being built that the Pastor was busy converting the people and also that he got himself hurt while running away from the attackers.

The C. J. Hospital in Davanagere City, where the pastor is undergoing treatment in the emergency ward, has clearly certified that the grievous wounds have been caused by choppers. Secondly, no father in his right senses would ever take two of his little sons, , primary school children, for the conversion work. We understand that his wife Lalitha, and two little sons, Kenneth and Kelvin, who had accompanied the pastor for the New Year Prayer Service, are witness to the ghastly sight of attack against their only bread-earner, and they are still to come out of their shock.

This unfortunate attack, just at the very beginning of the year, does not augur well, either for the state or for peace in the state, knowing as we do the mind-set of the Hindu fanatic outfits in Karnataka. Hence, we call upon the Government of Karnataka to take immediate and stringent measures against these fanatics, who have no respect either for the constitutional guarantees to the minorities as enshrined in our constitution, or for a peaceful co-existence, and enable the peace-loving Christians in Karnataka to live in peace and without fear.

For Global Council of Indian Christians

Dr Sajan K George
National President