Akhila Karnataka Catholic Christara Kannada Sangha on Friday held a protest at Freedom Park demanding the Governor and Chief Minister to order a CBI probe into the murder of Rector Fr K J Thomas.
“Linguistic problems are the cause for all the confusion. It is not a one-day affair. It is a 70-year old agitation. We will make the government listen to us,” said Dorai Raj Kumar, member of the Sangha.
Fr William Patrick of Kengeri Upanagara parish and Fr Illiyas of Gulbarga parish have been arrested in the murder case. “This is a false allegation made by Archbishop Bernard Moris as these two men are innocent,’’ said C Marie Joseph, a member.
Cyril Prabhu, a resident of Kammanhalli, said, “The whole protest is against a game of politics played by the Bishop.”
The murder of K J Thomas occurred on March 31, 2013 and the case has been handled by Home Minister K J George and Deputy Commissioner Victor D’Souza. The involvement of the latter raises many eyebrows.
“DCP D’Souza is supposed to retire, but his service has been extended by one year. Are there no other efficient policemen in the department? This shows how suspicious the activities of these men are,” said member Rita Reeni.
The secretary of Kannada Sangha Rafael Raj said, “There is no better occasion than Good Friday to request the CBI to take up the matter. On this day, Jesus was crucified at the Cross. Here, innocent are crucified. We will follow the Holy Bible and protest peacefully. We seek an impartial investigation.”
Social worker Rita Joseph said, “Today being Good Friday, we should all have met in the church. Instead, we are meeting in this protest.”