Media Release

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Catholic Sabha Mangaluru Pradesh (Regd) has strongly condemned the derogatory and abusive language allegedly used by Pramod Muthalik against Christian priests, pastors, nuns and Lord Jesus Christ in a video that has gone viral on social media, and has demanded strict legal action against him.

In a press statement issued on December 14, Catholic Sabha Mangaluru Pradesh central president Santosh D’Souza Bajpe said the remarks were not merely an insult to a particular religious community, but a direct attack on the constitutional values of religious freedom, communal harmony and peaceful coexistence enshrined in the Indian Constitution. He warned that such hate-filled speech could lead to social unrest, division and violence.

Santosh D’Souza Bajpe recalled that earlier controversial statements made by Pramod Muthalik regarding Christmas holidays in schools were ignored in the interest of tolerance. However, he said that by directly insulting Christian religious leaders and Jesus Christ, Muthalik had crossed all limits. The organisation has urged the state government to immediately initiate stringent action against him under relevant laws.

The Catholic Sabha cautioned that if the government and concerned authorities fail to take the matter seriously, the Christian community would be compelled to launch strong protests through constitutional and democratic means.

“The Christian community believes in peace, harmony and mutual respect. But there is no question of remaining silent when our religion, faith and religious sentiments are deliberately insulted,” Santosh D’Souza Bajpe stated.

General secretary Vilma Monteiro, treasurer Francis Monteiro and harmony committee coordinator Arun D’Souza Nejiguri were present on the occasion.