‘Hurt sentiments led to attack on church’
The transformation of Rashi Gudda, a hillock in Chikmagalur taluk into ‘Shilibe Gudda’ might have hurt the sentiments of Hindus and triggered the attack on churches, said R Janakiram, who deposed before Justice Somashekhara Commission of Inquiry here on Monday.
Janakriram, a coffee grower, said that the hillock known as Rashi Gudda had a cave with a small opening.
Hindus used to visit the spot, drop stones into the cave and listen the echoing sound.
Later, Christian coffee growers bought the entire hillock and helped a church come up right at the place.
The opening to the cave was closed and the hillock rechristened as ‘Shilibe Gudda, which hurt Hindu sentiments. This resentment led to attack on a church at Maagud near Aldoor, Janakiram told the Commission.
The Commission also accepted the statement of N Shetroji Rao, a retired government employee.
