Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (RD/SB)
Mangalore, Sep 23: The delegation led by Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza met Governor H R Bhardwaj at the Circuit House, here on Wednesday September 23 and expressed deep concern over the atrocities on Christians in state. Bishop Aloysius drew the attention of Governor Bhardwaj over the human rights violation and also how the Christians are unable to enjoy the Constitutional right.
Bishop said that it is a tragedy that the faithful fear to attend the daily worship at various churches, owing to a few communal evils that pose hindrance to practice their fundamental right of Christian faith. The Holy Masses are forced to be held at various churches under police security, fearing communal attacks on churches and faithful in the church precinct, he added.
Bishop further urged Governor Bhardwaj to nullify the criminal cases that are registered on Christians who had staged peaceful protests in church premises, here on September 14 and 15, 2008 citing the example of state administration scrapping all criminal cases which were filed on a few communal outfits. He urged the Governor to provide adequate security to minority community and allow the community brethrens, to live in liberty and dignity that was bestowed by Indian Constitution.
Governor Bharadwaj assured the delegation that the state administration will be advised to take necessary action in this regard. Fr William Menezes, Fr Onil D’Souza, lawyers M P Noronha and Mariamma Thomas were part of the delegation.