There is a need to condemn the assault on the Fr Silvester Pereira, the priest of Carmel Church at Katkeri near Koteshwara in Kundapur, said former MP Vinaykumar Sorake.

Speaking at a mammoth rally held against the assault of the priest, he said the services rendered by the Christian community members in the field of education and service in the undivided Dakshina Kannada district highly commendable.

But the assault on the priest has made a civilised society to bow its head in shame.

He urged the police to file a case against the accused under Section 307 attempt to murder. MLC K Prathpchandra Shetty said stringent action should be initiate against the accused.

Thinker Rajashekar said such assaults take place all over the country. Not only minorities are assaulted but also those Hindus who do not follow the principles of Bajrang Dal are also assaulted in the country.

Former MP I M Jayaram Shetty, former MLC Winnyfred Fernandes, MCC former Mayor Vijaya Arun, MLA K Gopala Poojary, former miniter Vasanth Salian, District Congress President M A Gafoor, CPI (M) leader K Shankar, among others took part in the rally.