Mangalore: Ministers, MLA Follow CM's Footsteps - Visit Churches, Meet Bishop


Mangalore: Ministers, MLA Follow CM's Footsteps - Visit Churches, Meet Bishop
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (MM/RD)
Pics: Wilson D'Souza Shirva and Prajwal Ukkuda

Mangalore, Jun 11:  Following the recent lead given by the  Karnataka CM Yedyurappa by visiting the Archbishop Rt Rev Dr Bernard Moras, head of the catholic  archdiocese , the  state Home minister Dr V S Acharya,  and Udupi MLA Ragupathi Bhat too followed suit by visiting Churches and catholic religious leaders in Udupi and Mangalore.

Both the Home Minister and the  BJP MLA visited the Mother of Sorrows Church  and offered prayers along with catholic leaders and priests.

















Later, Dr Acharya along with Krishna Palemar visited the Bishop's house in Mangalore and sought blessings from Rt Rev Dr Aloysius D'Souza, the Bishop of Mangalore.




It is apparent that these deliberate visits to various religious places and its leaders by BJP ministers and its MLA's is to portray the secular approach of the government and bring confidence among the minority community.

Sources close to daijiworld said that  ministers and MLAs are soon to visit Muslim Dargas, mosques and its leaders to assure their support to all communities without discriminating any religion or its sentiments.

After the felicitation service at Udupi Church, daijiworld contacted one of the parish leaders to get his opinion on the visit of the Home  Minister. The leader who spoke on condition of anonymity was full of praise for VS Acharya and Ragupathi Bhat.

"Before the elections, we were led to believe that the  BJP is a communal party and that they are anti Christians and anti Muslims. But today we have learnt that they are down to earth people. They cannot be communal leaders. We had elected our own community member to Parliament . But he never bothered to visit his own parish after becoming the central minister. But  the gesture of Ragupathi and Dr Acharya visiting churches , though non Christians,  is commendable. This shows the true greatness of a person.” he said.

Contrary to this heart warming remark, one of the Udupi Block congress leaders who also incidentally attended the felicitation ceremony in the church, had a different opinion

"Why must the Home Minister and MLAs  waste  time in visiting religious places and attend felicitation programs? The state is facing a grave  problem from un-happy farmers. One farmer was killed in police firing, property worth crores of rupees is destroyed. But  our Ministers are busy attending  felicitation programmes and pleasing the minority community" he said.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Peter oswald Rodrigues, Mangalore/Mumbai

    Sat, Jun 14 2008

    Well done ,it is what was requeired of you to meet the religeous as well as top commuinty leaders of not only catholic but also of other major communities and build in a feeling of security & self respect.Thank you and wish you a fruitful tenure.

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  • Joe Gonsalves, Mangalore

    Thu, Jun 12 2008

    Dr. Acharya and Mr. Bhat. You are on the right track. Without distinction of caste and creed you have cared to visit all concerned which is a clear indication that you have every intention to run the government well. It is my hope you will also visit St. Aloysius Institutions commenced by The Jesuit Fathers of Sacred memory over 127 years ago. Please do be with us - the minorities. Joe Gonsalves

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  • C.G.Sequeira, Mangalore

    Thu, Jun 12 2008

    If the BJP government in Karnataka takes minority communities into confidence,eradicates corruption and gives good governance,then I am sure that the Congress and the JDS parties have to struggle for their existence.Mr.Yediyurappa sas already shown that he is People's Chief Minister.I am very confident that Mr.V.S.Acharya,our new Home Minister will take tough measures to curb terrorism in the State. Mr.Krisna Palemar will try his best to improve the existing infra- structure in Mangalore City.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Lancelot N Tauro, Mangalore-Doha Qatar

    Thu, Jun 12 2008

    There is no differences between common man and a politician or minister inside the temple,church,Gurudwara or Mosque. We accept you as a worshiper to Thank the Almighty Creator. Keep up Good works, development progress by keeping aside communal issues. GOD bless all elected representive that We all Pray. Amen, Om.

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  • J. Pais, USA/Mangalore

    Thu, Jun 12 2008

    My family always voted for Cong(I). But, I have to appreciate what BJP did now. The comments by one of the Udupi Block congress leaders simply shows the true colors of Cong(I) party. I'm ashamed of them. They preach about being 'secular'. When they actually see someone practicing it, they can't stand it.

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  • Francis-Mangalore, Mangalore

    Thu, Jun 12 2008

    Its a new chapter in BJP secularism. Visiting Minority religious places is true sign of changing the image of BJP for the Next Lokh Sabha election. Let us Pray Amighty God to bless the BJP government and serve with the true teaching of all religion and Jesus christ..Love ,peace ,forgiveness and to take care of poor and powerless people of this great country. If thier visit is with sincereity they will succeed in thier Mission to Rule Karnataka for full term.

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  • sudha, Udupi / Dubai

    Thu, Jun 12 2008

    Many people in the esteemed Daijiworld face2face column have suggested the total votes for Congress in Karnataka is more than BJP. I beg to differ and say it is of no-value, Going by the same calculation during the last Loksabha MP elections BJP has gained more votes-share nationwide compared to Congress.

    Does that mean BJP is more popular nationwide? And the term "secular-parties" is the most misused term as the parties who call themselves "secular" are the MOST communal and has done almost NOTHING to minorities so far.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Dr Kiran Acharya, Udupi

    Wed, Jun 11 2008

    Please do not distort news,let`s get the chronology right! Dr V S Acharya had visited the Mother of sorrows church on Sunday, 8th June 2008. And he also accompanied Mr BSY, Hon`ble CM to meet the respected ArchBishop at Bangalore on the next day, 9th June 2008. You may also recollect his earlier visits to the Mother of Sorrows church after assuming office as MLA (1983), MLC, Medical Education Minister.

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  • Harold D'cunha, Bejai/Dubai

    Wed, Jun 11 2008

    Congratulations. Dr V S Acharya, Ragupathi Bhat and Mr. Palemar for visiting churches and building bridges with the minority and trying to eradicate their insecuity about the image of BJP. It is indeed a very good gesture from the elected MLA's to seek blessings from the Relgious Leaders.

    Let all of us be positive. Without thought there is no action. Let this spirit prevail and let all the communities live in brotherhood. Jai Hind.

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  • Herbert Joseph Menezes, Barkur

    Wed, Jun 11 2008

    Congrats Mr.VS Acharya and Mr.Ragupathi Bhat, keep it up. May almighty God bless you and your team.

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  • M. M Alvares, Bondel - Mangalore

    Wed, Jun 11 2008

    At the outset it is a good gesture on the part of BJp. This necesseciated for two implied resons - one wafer thin majority as the State Govt. banking on 6 independents for its survival who alreday started airing their unhappiness. Secondly, BJP is well aware of its total vote share which is less than Congress and if one put JDS together, as secular vote, BJP Govt. is a minority Govt.

     In all probability, it has no threat till Lok Sabha poll due by next May 09, all destabilisation efforts, poaching will get a boost, only after this. So now BJP aware, pleasing everybody only help them, to face next elections as victory margin so slender, in many constituencies, a small provocation of any community will effect adversly. Congress, only wake up during elections, must learn from BJP, by promoting local leadership, grass root level organisation, and constant mass contact, if it wants to regain its lost glory.

    There must be competition and choice, then only electorate may expect some progress in any field incuding politics.

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  • naveen pinto, mangalore

    Wed, Jun 11 2008

    its nothing but a political stunt. Visiting the churches and felicitation programmes may not be enough to please the minorities. Let them show their it their works

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Title: Mangalore: Ministers, MLA Follow CM's Footsteps - Visit Churches, Meet Bishop



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