by Gerald Pinto (GA)

Udupi, Aug 19: Minority forum celebrated Independence Day in a unique and meaningful way. The function was under the auspices of Zilla Alpa Sankyathara Vedike (District Minority Forum) held at Don Bosco Hall here.

Forum president Abdul Rasheed presided over the function. Various minority community organizations such as the Catholic Sabha, SSF, S1O, CSI, Nagarika Samithi, Udupi Friends Association, Muslim Writers Association, etc., attended and took part in the debate.

The contemporary topics bothering the minority communities - conversions, taking law in their hands by some fundamental organizations, spreading venom in the name of religion etc. were the main concerns. Fr Mathew Vas, parish priest of Mother of Sorrows Church here was the chief guest. He called upon the people to observe the Gandhian principal of non-violence and adhere to the path of truth. He stated that a follower of a true religion cannot but love peace and harmony. He refuted the charges of conversions laid against the Christians, in particular with reference to Tirupathi.

The leaders called upon the members of the minority community to mix freely with the major community and to give up a sense of inferiority. They opined that the country obtained its freedom through non-violence and all the members should practice this path.

Soon after the meeting, a delegation lead by the forum president Abdul Rasheed and secretary Dr Gerald Pinto, visited the local jail. It was a meaningful meeting. The real meaning of freedom was understood by all members comparing to the plight of the jail inmates living in over-crowded cells. Independence greetings were exchanged and fruits, sweets were distributed.