Author: DHNS
Publication: Deccan Herald
Date: January 20, 2003
URL: http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/jan20/iten.asp
Tension prevailed near a hotel on
Dhanwantri Road in the city today following allegations of "forcible conversions"
which resulted in a controversy. Police have arrested 20 persons in this
connection.
According to reports, activists
belonging to Vishwa Hindu Parishat took objection to the alleged derogatory
remarks made against Hindu gods to force the participants at a meeting
in the hotel, in which some Christian missionaries apparently took part,
for alleged conversions. It is learnt that the activists locked up the
participants inside the meeting hall and informed the Devaraja police about
the alleged attempts of "forcible conversions".
The Devaraja police arrested about
20 VHP activists following complaint by one Vincent Kumar. During a verbal
duel between the police and the activists, a car parked outside the hotel
was damaged by some unidentified persons, suspecting that it belonged to
one of the missionaries. However, the car belonged to a businessman.
In the meantime, on receiving information
that the VHP activists were arrested, the BJP activists led by Krishnaraja
MLA A Ramdas held a demonstration outside the Devaraja police, accusing
the police of bias towards the activists.