Christian Missionaries gobble government land meant for grazing of cattle in Chikkaballapura district in Karnataka

The common lands are resources accessible to the whole community of a village with no exclusive property rights to any individuals. ‘Gomala’, as they are called in Kannada are land meanth for grazing of cattle and other livestock. At Arikere of Chikkaballapura district in Karnataka, there is a Gomala land of 173 acres which belongs to the government.

One acre of the Government out of the 173 acres of such Gomala was given away for a burial place and two acres were given to a villager whose ancestors were said to be in possession of the place for quite a while.

Hold your breath! The rest of the 170 acres of land is illegally under the possession of the Christian missionaries. They have named the land (a hillock) as ‘Mahima Betta’. Right on the peak of Mahima Betta is a mighty Cross representing the Christian Community. From the foot hill to the peak of the Mahima Betta the missionaries have put up multiple crosses, the symbol of Christianity.

How is it that the missionaries grew to an extent of gobbling the Gomala land? Nobody knows! Few opine that the missionary activities could have started only few five years ago. A Hanuman temple exists at the foot hill where Hindus perform regular puja activities. The Poornima (new moon day) of every month attracts lot of Hindus at the temple where Bhajans are recited. There was a time when villagers were visiting the peak as a small recreation spot.

But since the missionaries have forced themselves on the land with the evil intention of converting poor whom they woo with gifts, money and free food. Most villagers have not been visiting the hillock which was used by the Missionaries. Missionaries conduct regular programs and invite the converted villagers to the peak to give away gifts and lure them and also to keep those converted under the community’s control.