From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Jun 23: The entire Christian community under the leadership of Bangalore Archbishop Dr Bernard Moras accorded a warm, affectionate and touching farewell to Karnataka’s Governor Hans Raj Bhardwaj, who is due to retire at the end of this month, at the Paalana Bhavan in Archbishop’s Residence in Bangalore on Monday.
The eminent legal luminary, Bhardwaj, who has the rare distinction of serving as the country’s law minister for holding the second longest tenure of 9 years after Ashoke Kumar Sen since Independence, assumed office as the State’s Governor in 2009 and had endeared himself to all sections of society, especially the minorities and Christians in particular, said Archbishop Moras in his heart-warming farewell address.
''For us, Christians of the City and the State, he (Bhardwaj) is indeed a gift of God and has been a great blessing, especially when our Churches and institutions were attacked in 2008. He took personal interest in ensuring that justice is meted out to the Christian minorities, especially those who were directly affected by the attacks in the State,” the Archbishop said pointing out that the Governor assured the community that he would ensure that necessary steps were taken to mete out justice when the entire Christian community against the B K Somashekar Commission report.
Representatives of as many as 12 Christian denominations, including Roman Catholics, who had gathered at the Paalana Bhavan of the Archdiocese and presented garlands, shawls and mementos as a token of their love and appreciation to the Governor. The farewell function was organized under the join auspices of the Archdiocese of Bangalore and the All Karnataka United Christian Forum for Human Rights.
Apart from the Roman Catholic Church leaders, representatives of Church of South India, Methodist Church, Assemblies of god, Federation of Christian Churches and Organisations, Marthoma Syrian Church, Malankara Orthodox Church, Seventh Day Adventists, Lutheran Church, Karnataka Baptist Church and Believers Church participated in the function and presented garlands, shawls and mementos to the Governor.
The Archbishop set the tone for the entire function, when he said though he had met and spoken to the Governor on several occasions in the past, he was personally very uncomfortable to address a gathering in front of his ''dear personal friend” and bid farewell as he felt deep sentiments of sadness. At the same time, Archbishop Moras said he wanted to express his feelings of gratitude and love to the Governor, who was perhaps the first occupant of Raj Bhavan to allow the ''Christha Namana” programmes inside the premises and thereby allowing the joy and peace of Christmas to pervade the entire State.
An ardent votary of secularism, rule of law and justice and promoter of human rights, the Archbishop said Bhardwaj never hesitated to condemn violence, heinous crimes and ensured that action was initiated in all such cases even going to the extend of pulling up and taking the political leaders and officials to task besides asking all in authority to be pro-active in maintaining and preserving the secular fabric and character of the nation.
''The Governor brought a profound sense of belonging and a deep sense of understanding of our Christian history, ethos, tradition and culture to the office of Governor. His love for the State and his dedication to the Christian community were consistently evident in all that he did. Moreover, he served with great dignity,” the Archbishop said, openly admitting that he (Governor) was his ''personal friend” and that he ''always considered him as my elder brother,” who came to the Archbishop’s House on several occasions, including to extend his wishes on birthdays and the Christmas celebrations without standing on formalities.
The Governor Bhardwaj, in his reply, was equally candid and confessed that he too felt emotional due to the abundant love, affection, goodwill and blessings showered on him by the Archbishop and the leaders of the Christian community in Bangalore and Karnataka. He also reciprocated Archbishop’s gesture of calling him his brother and termed the latter as the ''most dynamic elder brother.”
''Life is transient and nobody is permanent,” he said pointing out that he and his wife have already packed their belongings and were ready leave as soon as the new Governor is appointed.
However, he said he will not leave until his successor arrives because under the Constitution the Governor is appointed for a term of 5 years by the President and continues in office at the pleasure of the President. Resigning and quitting the Governor’s post merely because of change of Government would be a ''hostile act.” But in a democracy, people were the ultimate masters and their verdict must be accepted and honoured by all, he said.
Bhardwaj mentioned that he had met President Pranab Mukherjee, former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Delhi. ''I did not discuss my tenure with either Rajnath Singh or Modi. All that I appealed to them to ensure that a good person is appointed as Karnataka’s State as it is a very peaceful and wonderful State. I am sure they know the kind of person the State deserves,” he said.
Bhardwaj said he learnt a lot during his tenure as Governor in Karnataka. He also praised the Christian community for its yeomen service in the fields of education, healthcare and social service and mentioned that the Christian leaders had taken an active and leading part in the country’s freedom struggle with stalwarts like A O Hume and Annie Besant being the founders of the Indian National Congress that led the freedom struggle. Christians have continued their service even after Independence, he said and asserted the framers of Indian Constitution had given a solemn assurance to all sections of society, especially minorities that the country’s plurality and secular character would be maintained.
The Governor confessed that he, his wife and family members were deeply impressed and had long and cherished association with Christians and disclosed that he had read different versions of the Old Testament and New Testament and other commentaries. ''I personally believe that Christian religion existed from the beginning of humanity as Jesus Christ’s teachings are reflected even in the Old Testament,” he said pointing out that he was deeply impressed by the teachings of St Augustine, who was the ''first philosopher and a most powerful preacher.”
Rev Jessie Ranjan of Church of South India led the welcome prayer with a reading from the Bible. Bishop Taranath Sagar of Methodist Church welcomed the gathering. Bishop Samuel Mathew, Vice President of the All Karnataka United Christian Forum for Human Rights, read out the citation presented to the Governor. Rev T J Benny of Assemblies of God proposed a vote of thanks.