Gandhinagar, Nov 27 (India Today): The Gandhinagar district election officer has served a notice to the archbishop of Gandhinagar for his letter appealing for prayers against "nationalist forces".
The Gandhinagar district election officer has sought clarification why his letter should not be treated as violation of model code of conduct.
Election Commission has issued the notice to an NGO and the Legal Rights Observatory (LRO) has sent a complaint to the election commission of India.
The LRO letter says the letter issued by the archbishop is an attempt to "generate fear" among voters and to "divide people on the basis of caste and creed" along with "baseless allegations" against 'nationalist forces'.
The letter has also sought immediate 'action' against the archbishop.
The archbishop of the Archdiocese of Gandhinagar had written a letter urging members of the Christian community to save the country from "nationalist forces" as he said the "democratic fabric" of the country was at stake, amidst a growing "sense of insecurity" among minorities.Indirectly targeting the ruling BJP in the state, archbishop Thomas Macwan appealed to the minority community to help elect those candidates, who respect every human being without discrimination, to the state Assembly.
He said the nationalist forces were "on the verge of taking over the country", which is why the Gujarat elections could make a difference.
Comment on this article
Joe Britto, Nakre/Mangalore
Tue, Nov 28 2017What the Archbishop has said and done is absolutely within his rights.
Arnab as usual has blown the issue beyond proportion.
Of course very few watch his channel these days as he screams too loudly.
Yes indeed the minorities are feeling insecure in this country.
No they cannot leave the land of their birth and be intimated by the majority .
Have not churches been attached ?
Have not a Holy Family of Staines been done to death!
Have not churches been attached in Orissa, Karnataka and several other States.
It is totally normally for Archbishops to write to before Elections within his Fold.
Perhaps the truth and facts hurt .
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Francis, Shirva/UK
Mon, Nov 27 2017India is experiencing undeclared emergency, God save our country.
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mahesh, Mangalore
Mon, Nov 27 2017Thankyou archbishop for hitting a self Goal.
You just managed to add a nice issue for the BJP to talk about.
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Harold D'cunha, Mangalore, India
Mon, Nov 27 2017Mahesh
Last election 2012, it was fatwa issued by muslim cleric had benefited BJP.
I have my own doubt, during this time, why the archbishop of Gandhinagar in his letter appealing for the congregation by using the word called 'nationalist' during this time. Christian population in Gujarath is less than 0.5% and it will not make much big difference.
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monu, Mulki
Tue, Nov 28 2017Its never about Christian votes.
Even if they are 12% ( thats what they are in DK), they are not the ones which make or break elections. Because they have never voted for BJP, nor they will in the future.
Its the Hindus which make or break elections.simply because they are 80%.
In UP they have a huge Muslim population, what happenned?
BJP won 75% of the seats in those areas.
These kind of statements unite the Hindus to go one way.
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MN, Mangalore
Mon, Nov 27 2017In a democratic secular country, Priest/Swamy/Mullas to be kept away from Politics.
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Dinesh, Dubai
Mon, Nov 27 2017thanks for uniting hindus in Gujrath.
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Peter, KSA
Mon, Nov 27 2017Hindus are divided by upper caste Hindus and not by any other religion. In U.P. a 9 month pregnant dalit woman was killed by upper caste Hindu couple for touching their dust bin. Dalits are not Hindus ?
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Dinesh, Dubai
Mon, Nov 27 2017you dont worry about hindu and hinduism. its our internal matter .
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Peter, KSA
Mon, Nov 27 2017Sach bolne per mirchi kyon lagi ? Kidhar lagi ?
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Amith, USA
Mon, Nov 27 2017So much Hindu Fanatic??? What are you doing in 100 % Muslim Nation can't find job in Nepal????? SHAME, SHAME!!!!!! BEGGING IN MUSLIM NATION!!!!!
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Af,,, Mangalore
Mon, Nov 27 2017Isnt it, then why you people bother about Bishops letter, it is also Christians internal matter.
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Ravi, Blre
Mon, Nov 27 2017Dinesh
In bjp govt top cabinet minister only BRAHAMINS. Upper cast descriminate lower cast .they rule nd lower cast for canvashing election only.
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SJM, Mangalore
Mon, Nov 27 2017Take care of Dalit Hindu's in Gujarat
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Peter, KSA
Mon, Nov 27 2017Don't worry dear Archbishop. God is with you. We are with you. Evil has no power over Godly people. Praise the Lord.
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Raj, Mangalore
Mon, Nov 27 2017Don't mess with Christian priests....they are highly educated and act well within the legal aspects. Why people are very much eager to send their children to Christan schools irrespective of religion???? If given chance Christian institutions can transform the country in to developed country within 10 years.
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kas, Mangalore
Mon, Nov 27 2017Why BJP is scared at the drop of a pin .... chor ke dil me channa bajta hai
EC is a paid commission. which do not have courage to conduct the election of one state in one go ....Such is our development ..... No need for EC to issue notices.....JUST HAND OVER EVM'S TO BJP.... that solves all the problem ...
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Af,,, Mangalore
Mon, Nov 27 2017What about Swamijis ?
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Vincent Rodrigues, Bengaluru/Katapadi
Mon, Nov 27 2017This is too much and really not acceptable
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Diwakar, Bangalore
Mon, Nov 27 2017Go sami and his R.ubissh channel got an issue to bark upon....
If there is a notice..just close by a reply...
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Dr.S.Kamath, Mumbai
Mon, Nov 27 2017Archbishop should not have used the word Nationalistic forces
In fact he should have said 'You pray God to elect the nationalistic peoples Government "
The order of priority for every one should be God first ,Nation next ,My family next,Myself last
Here he said dont ask for nationalistic forces why ? Did he wanted to vote for Anti-Nationalistic forces ?
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Peter, KSA
Mon, Nov 27 2017You do not have to teach Archbishop what to tell and what not to. Nowadays, everything is fake in India including fake doctors. I salute our spiritual leader dear Archbishop for guiding people to chose right government. Why it hurts EC ? Why no notice to other senseless leaders who make nonsense statements ? EC, like CBI also is bought and controlled from Nagpur ? They have proved it by their notice to Archbishop.
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kas, Mangalore
Mon, Nov 27 2017The seers can make bow, bow at udupi as they like .... No one is bothered ....
Where is that huchhu hudugi who wanted to hang the beef eaters ???
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David Pais, Mangalore
Mon, Nov 27 2017arch bishops call 2 christians shows how much pain inflicted against a small number of christians of gujarat
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Gilbert, Udupi/Kuwait
Mon, Nov 27 2017Every citizen of India have the freedom to express his/her views. Politicians requesting votes offering gifts, money or favors why not Archbishop can't request his community people? He has not mentioned any individual party but mentioned "Nationalist forces" which he feels in general not good for the community/country and he has the right to express his views. Why the BJP or other politicians object his views? He too is a Indian citizen first and he has his rights as per the Constitution. Let the Nationalist forces gain Wisdom & knowledge to change their way of thinking. We all must defeat the Nationalist forces for a SECULAR INDIA.
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HENRY MISQUITH, Bahrain
Mon, Nov 27 2017India needs to be saved from the clutches of the divisive forces like BJP/RSS and their offshoots and fringe groups! Rev Bishop asked to Vote for Secular party, he never mentioned any name.. So, he stayed within his limits. If the Bishop wants a peaceful country, there's no harm...
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sri_elder, Karkala
Mon, Nov 27 2017Congress is big divisive force. Nobody can defeat that. Good for fishing in troubled waters and without much effort want to be victorious...
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HENRY MISQUITH, Bahrain
Mon, Nov 27 2017It's all after BJP/RSS have come to power. So sad that our India is getting divided by fekus and maut ka saudagars...
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Gilbert, Udupi/Kuwait
Mon, Nov 27 2017Sri_elder, Congress ruled most of the years (more than 90%) since Independence and people aware of who is divisive. How many years BJP ruled since Independence? See the intolerance in India now and divisive policies of BJP. You should know the history before commenting!!!
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SJM, Mangalore
Mon, Nov 27 2017EC should serve notice first to Arnab Gowswmy making this issue big in his Chanel .I support the Archbishop as he speaks truth and after all he is not contesting any election in Gujarat
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well wisher, India
Mon, Nov 27 2017Only a pure soul can voice out against Tyranny against FAKE leaders. This shows the strength of your faith in your lord. !!! NOW ONLY PRAYERS can save this nation, that is turning a blind eye to the injustice on its little brothers sisters.
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Amith, USA
Mon, Nov 27 2017This Complaint to the EC is like this: when said "KALVANA MANDED KAKAJI" KALVA ( chor) searching piece of paper on his head!!!!! How BESHARAM JANARA PARTY'S people can define that, they are the Nationalist and there is a Risk to the country from those so called NATIONALIST???? There is one political party called "NATIONALIST CONGRESS PARTY" and the accusations could be for them or any individuals but no one else bothered for Archbishop's letter then WHY only BESHARAM JANARA PARTY'S PEOPLE are JUMPING JACKS??? Isn't shows their frustration??? Indeed they are the "REAL KALVAS" That's why they have the SORE THROAT !!!!!!!
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Aravind, Blr
Mon, Nov 27 2017Ok. BJP will still win Gujarat. Chill.
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Amith, USA
Mon, Nov 27 2017INDEED, BESHARAM JANARA PARTY already won!!!!!!BUT in "DAYDREAMS " ENJOY!!!!! CELEBRATE FEKU DIWALI! !!!!!
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Peter, KSA
Mon, Nov 27 2017No doubt BJP will win in Gujarat because EC proved that they are bought by BJP and EVMs will be tampered. Chori karke jeethna koyi badi baath nahin hai. Those who have no conscience, shame or self respect can stoop to any low to retain power.
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Daniel, Mangalore
Mon, Nov 27 2017warning letter scarred many but TV channels more than happy with the letter for gotting good TRP.
can anybody say at present which is TRUE 'nationalist forces'?
Many are fake forces by political parties except military force.
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L n T, Mumbai
Mon, Nov 27 2017Arc Bishop wrote a letter to Bishops of India and not to PM or President of India. He clearly used respectable words as nationalist as all Indians are nationalists. He has not critisized any political party neither called anti national or communal parties.
Cant understand Why EC and particularly BJP feeling guilty and interfering on this internal matter.
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sri_elder, Karkala
Mon, Nov 27 2017India is safe because of majority nationalist Hindus.
Look at Egypt, Palestine and Syria.
All of the Christians left the country.
There is nobody to take sides of Christians.
In India Hindus are there to support Christians if Muslims trouble Christians.. Please remember
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Gilbert, Udupi/Kuwait
Mon, Nov 27 2017Sri_elder,
Why are you writing FAKE report about CHRISTIANS?? Egypt 10% o f the population is Christians and 90% are Muslims and living in peace and not left the country. Palestine too Christians are living peacefully for generations and Muslims/Hamas are fighting with Israel for Statehood and grabbing their land by Israel. Syria too fight between ISIS/Muslims with the Government and Christians are living there peacefully. CHRISTIANS are peace lovers and live in peace and harmony through out the world and most of the ARAB/MENA countries love Christians except fanatics/nationalist mentality people in some countries!! Don't write fake report until you know the history of these countries. CHRISTIANS WILL LIVE FOR EVER IN EGYPT, PALESTINE & SYRIA. Why do Christians or any other community require Hindus support in India??? Are you fighting on religion basis???
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Amith, USA
Mon, Nov 27 2017sri_elder, Karkala- Very True!!!!Hindus are SUPPORTING not only Christians even Muslims and all other people also. However, for your kind knowledge there are two types of Hindus are there in India. One is true Hindus who aredomicile of India since 10 thousand years and another is HINDUTVA Hindus they just established their "KINGDOM OF HATE RELIGION " since May 14 , 2014.
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L n T, Mumbai
Mon, Nov 27 2017Arc Bishop wrote a letter to Bishops of India and not to PM or President of India. He clearly used respectable words as nationalist as all Indians are nationalists. He has not citizen any political party neither called anti national or communal parties.
Why EC and particularly BJP interfering on this small matter.
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Luv, Mangalore
Mon, Nov 27 2017Unity in diversity is replaced by unity of ideology !!!
prominent people from majority community need to stand up for truth to save the country from breaking up in the name of religion and caste.
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John Tauro, M'luru / Kwt
Mon, Nov 27 2017People should stand against pseudo-secularist forces who have already divided the country. The archbishop should have appealed to the people to save the country from all kinds of divisive forces.
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kamath, mani
Mon, Nov 27 2017Sir...what you said is 100% right.
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David Pais, Mangalore
Mon, Nov 27 2017biased election commission remote controlled from nagpur & from p.m.o.
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Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai
Mon, Nov 27 2017He only called on all Christians to pray so that they elect those candidates, who respect every human being without discrimination, to the State Assembly.
Now tell me what is wrong in that ...
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j.anata, Mangaluru / Bengaluru
Mon, Nov 27 2017Yes, same like appeasement by Siddu in Tippu Jayanthi celebrations
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anthony, Mangalore
Mon, Nov 27 2017The Election Commissioner like all constitutional bodies have been rendered as toothless tigers and so flexing their mussles on harmless people like the Archbishop of Gandhinagar.
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