Hearing on church attacks resumes

Advocates Madhusudan Adiga, representing pro-Hindu organisations, and Prasad, appearing for Christian groups, entered into a heated argument over the issue of provocations for church attacks when the latter was cross-examining PSI Raghukumar. Adiga and another advocate Srinivas Reddy, representing the Home Department raised objections to Prasad’s cross-examination.

The advocates criticised Justice Somashekhar’s style of functioning. The chairman of the commission tried to bring order in the hall reminding the advocates that they were attending the court’s proceedings. However, his words had little impact.

Prasad took objection to Adiga’s pronunciation of the word ‘pastor’ while referring to head of a Christian organisation. He continued with his pronunciation arguing that he was not well-versed in English as Prasad was. Vasanthkumar Bhavani, president of Srirama Sene’s Bangalore City wing, submitted an affidavit before the Commission objecting to the submission of the interim report without listening to activists of the group. He, in his affidavit, said, “So far none of the activists have been issued notices to appear before the Commission. But the organisation has been listed among the accused in the interim report. This is not acceptable. The Commission should withdraw the allegations made against Srirama Sene.”