PUNE, Dec 4: Massive rallies in the city today marked the National Protest Day of the Christian community to condemn the increasing number of atrocities against them throughout the country. All schools and colleges run by Christian institutions remained closed today.The rallies held in Pune Cantonment, Khadki, Ramwadi, Pimpri and Chinchwad, was attended in large numbers. Prayers and solemn pledges for unity and solidarity featured in the peaceful rallies. Over five thousand people attended the rally held at the Bishop's School ground.Pune Bishop Valerian D'Souza in his speech observed that the increasing number of violations of human and constitutional rights was a matter of serious concern for the Christian community. ``The government should take preventive measures to curb the atrocities," he said adding that mere statements would not pacify the community. ``Rumours, false allegations, and inflammatory speeches against the Christian community must be firmly tackled by the government." The law enforcing machinery, he said, seems to be ineffective as there is no account of whether the guilty have been punished at all. He pointed out that the protests should by no means be considered as protests against the majority community. He urged the majority community not to remain silent.The theme of the rally was `Respect for human and constitutional rights - secret of true peace'.
