'Forgive Me, I'm A Sinner'

Man repents communal violence

Angel or demon? The ex-BJP leader is approaching Christian families in Shimoga, Mangalore and Tumkur, including those who bore the brunt of the attacks and is apologising

Bangalore, Apr 19 : Claiming that it was a mistake to join the communal forces, former Bajrang Dal activist Mahendra Kumar is visiting members of Christian community shedding 'crocodile tears' asking to be pardoned.

The main accused in the serial church attack case, is in a biblical confessional mode and is going around seeking forgiveness for what has happened in the past.

Mahendra Kumar was a convener of Bajrang Dal in 2008, when a series of attacks on churches rattled the state, following which he was arrested on the charges of leading the mob.
He was also booked under Section 307 for attempt to murder relating to the attacks and is facing seven cases on the charges.

Even an enquiry commission led by Justice B K Somashekar had singled out to implicate him in its controversial report submitted to the government last February, while giving a clean chit to the Yeddyurappa government and the police.

Realisation dawns
Now, he is approaching Christian families in Shimoga, Mangalore and Tumkur, including those who bore the brunt of the attacks and is apologising.

"I realised that I was with the wrong party. BJP is not only communal, but also anti-social. I am going around meeting people from minority communities including Christians and Muslims to convince them about my position.

The response is good and I think they have forgiven me," said Kumar.

The paradigm shift in his behavior was noticed after he joined JD(S) last month, after quitting the Sangh Parivar with the grouse that he was abandoned after being caught in the church attack case.

Vindictive politics
"I joined JD(S), as I realised that BJP will not last long with the change coming under the leadership of Yeddyurappa, who is indulging in vindictive politics. I see his hand in the criminal cases filed against me.

However, there is no politics in my mission to reach out to the minorities. I want to show that I am a changed man and need to dispel their inhibitions," he said.

He claimed that the Christians and Muslims were now with him and a group of 1,500 Christians prayed for him recently in the city. "The atmosphere is cordial. I am meeting and eating with them. They are ready to forget the past. Even Arch Bishop Bernard Morass has blessed me," said Kumar.

However, there are many from the Christian community, who are not listening to his sorry story.

All crocodile tears
Justice M F Saldana, a retired judge of the High Court, who led a movement against the Church attack, said, "It looks like he is shedding crocodile tears. When claimed that he had the backing of the government in the attacks, he said it was a valiant act and he would repeat it. Now, just because he has lost BJP support, he is singing a different tune. Anyway, we won't fall for it."

Following Somashekar's commission submitting an allegedly partisan report on the Church attack, Saldana went on a fact finding mission on behalf of People's Enquiry Tribunal and submitted a parallel report to the Central Government last month.

"He cannot get away by simply saying sorry, as that cannot undo the damage done. The law must take its own course and he has to face it," said Saldana.

However, according to officials in the Arch Bishop's office, Morass seems to have forgiven Kumar.

"He had come here and met the Arch Bishop who offered to pray for the him. After all, Christ has taught us to forgive the sins of one who realises his faults," said Fr Prem, personal assistant to the Arch Bishop.