Pics: Meryick D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)

Mangaluru, Mar 4: The Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM) unit of Mangaluru diocese on Wednesday March 4 staged a protest in front of the DC's office here condemning the recent statement by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Mother Teresa, and derogatory comments against Christianity posted by Shriram Yadapaditthaya on Facebook.

Addressing the protestors Vincent Alva Pamboor said, "With the name of Lord Rama in his name, Shriram Yadapadtthaya should not be passing such comments against Christianity. But I urge the Christian youth to forgive him. I also urge the police not to take any stingent action against him. Jesus Christ will bless his mother and family," he said.

On comments against Mother Teresa by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat that she served the poor with the intention of converting them to Christianity, Vincent said, "Mohan Bhgavat is not fit to pass any comment against Mother Teresa. She is responsible for the revolution of social service in India. Was it necessary for her to come here and serve the destitutes for the sake of conversion? I agree that Mother converted a Hindu to be a true Hindu and a Muslim to be true Muslim. And if Mother had conveted people by luring them then there is no meaning to Christianity. People converted to Christianity only because they admired the service rendered by the Mother."

Speaking about an incident where Mother Teresa was accused by a few in Kolkata of conversion, Vincent Alva said, "Mother had faced the allegations of conversion when she was alive. When they had demanded that the Mother be asked to leave the place, the SP of the place said that he would do so, only if their mothers and sisters would serve the poor as she did. Such was the dedication Mother Teresa had towards the people suffering from various illnesses."

He further added, "In the recently held Hindu Samajotsava the good word of Bhagavad Geeta had to be spread among the people belonging to the great Hindu religion. Instead, a young girl spoke of things beyond her age and without understanding the reality. It is a conspiracy by some people to divide the society and make the universal religion of Hinduism narrow. I have to sincerely thank Bhagwat for giving me an opportunity to speak about Mother Theresa."

Taking a dig at Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat he said, "I respect you (Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat) as a leader of Hindu religion. You own a group of institutions. You tell about conversion in our district. Please show us the proof, otherwise there is no point in making baseless allegations."

Secretary of CITU D K Sunil Kumar Bajal speaking on the occasion, alleged that it is the conspiracy of right wing leaders to target minorities. "Mohan Bhagwat does not have any moral right to say anything about Mother Teresa. They consider minorities as second grade citizens. If there would not have been Christian institutions in the district the scheduled castes and tribes would not have got education. If Christians had to engage in conversion they would not have served the society," he said.

President of Konkani Sahitya Academy Roy Castelino said, "It is a conspiracy to target minorities. They speak about cleaning India but let them clean problems like corruption, communalism and terrorism. I thank the police commissioiner and all the police personnel for arresting Shriram Yadapaditthaya. I also thank the Cathloic youth and leaders for having registered complaints in 25 police stations against the derogatory comments."

At the end of the protest a candlelight vigil was also observed and the gathered crowd prayed for world peace.

About one thousand people participated in the protest.

ICYM ex-president Sheldon Crasta, vicar general of Mangaluru diocese Fr Denis Moras Prabhu, ICYM diocese director Fr Ronald Dsouza, Krishnappa Konchady were among those present.