This is Not a Fault-Finding Mission: Sangliana

- The visit is only to help restore peace, says minorities panel chief

- ‘We'll see why the protests took a serious turn here'

- ‘Majority should be magnanimous to condone mistakes'

FOR PEACE:Vice-chairman of National Minorities Commission H.T. Sangliana receiving a memorandum in Shimoga on Monday

Shimoga, Mar 9 : Vice-Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities H.T. Sangliana said here on Monday that his visit to the city was not a fault-finding mission but meant to help restore peace among all sections of society, after the recent violence.

He said that the commission would look into why the protests took such a serious turn here, while only token protests were held in other parts of Karnataka.

The majority community should have the magnanimity to condone mistakes by the minority communities, “as parents forgive the mistakes of their children,” he said. However, he found fault with the leaders of one community who failed to discharge their responsibility and control the mob when it went on a rampage.

Grievances

Mr. Sangliana, who arrived here in the evening, received a memorandum from different communities. Representatives sought suitable compensation for victims of the violence.

Leaders of Muslim organizations alleged that it was the failure of the police to control the situation that led to an escalation of violence. They demanded that the police stop arresting students of the community in connection with the incidents.

Representatives of the majority community stressed on restraint and pointed out that Hindu organizations had protested only symbolically over reports of conversion.

BJP leaders, including the president of the City Municipal Council, N.J. Rajashekhar, State BJP vice-president M.B. Bhanu Prakash, Girish Patel and Nataraj Bhagwat, spoke.

Congress leaders, including president of the District Congress Committee, R. Prasannakumar, member of the Zilla Panchayat Kalgodu Rathnakar and former municipal president B.A. Ramesh Hegde, and

State Janata Dal (S) vice-president P.R. Srinivas and former Janata Dal (S) district president M.B. Shivanna presented memorandums.

Mr. Sangliana will visit the riot-hit areas here on Tuesday.