Author: Stanly Pinto
Publication: The Times of India
Date: February 26, 2004
Christian religious leaders on Thursday
made a fervent appeal to the community members to vote for Christian candidates
with a view to achieving greater development of the community.
Inaugurating the Christians' Political
meet at Bendur here, Rev Fr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, bishop of Mangalore
Diocese, said collective voice had greater strength than individual capacity
to get what is rightfully due to the community. Citing instances where
other communities have greatly benefitted from leaders largesse, he said
Christians should set aside their differences and elect community leaders
right from Gram Panchayat level to Parliament, so that the community is
a force to reckon with.
Pointing at how banks have removed
Good Friday from the holiday list, he said this would have never happened,
if they thought the community had strong leaders.
Rev D'Souza pointed out that the
community needs a thorough Baptism in politics and said that what the community
lacked was courage, ambition and will to use their talents on a larger
stage.
Presiding over the meet, Rev Fr
Lawrence Mukkui, bishop, Belthangady Diocese, observed that despite constituting
just 2.5 per cent of the country's population, the social service activities
in the field of education and medical field was by the community was atleast
10 per cent. He said recognition is due for the community and only voices
could be heard if duly represented in the political fora.
He said the community members were
denied even basic fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution, which
were rightly due.
"We are interested in politics and
we should protect our community members," added the bishop.
Earlier Raymond Takode, editor of
Pingara, averred that Christian leaders neglected their community as they
had not got the required support when fighting the polls. He said time
had come to rally behind the leaders so that the community would benefit
in a large way.
Later the meet adopted the resolutions
demanding the state to declare Good Friday as a holiday under Karnataka
Negotiable Act and urged all political parties to give representation to
Christian community in atleast six assembly and three in the Dakshina Kannada
District.
