Mangalore: Morcha Warns Christian Priests Against Doubling as Congress Activists
Media Release
Mangalore, Mar 24: “The Christian priests should concentrate on fulfilling the duty of propagation of their religion as cast upon them, and engage in activities which help in strengthening the bond of the Christian community with people from other religions. They should desist from sacrificing the interests of the society for serving the selfish interests of a few persons by taking part in the programmes of the Congress Party actively, instead of restricting themselves to religious activities. Through their actions like this, they should not give room for the incidents of September 14, 2008, to replicate,” warned Franklin Monteiro, Dakshina Kannada district convener of BJP Minority Morcha, through a press release today.
The Morcha has condemned the participation of some Christian priests and sisters of the religious order in a protest meeting organized on March 13 by the Congress Party against the delay in concreting the Kankanady-Valencia Road. Monteiro said that some local residents are responsible for the delay, and not the City Corporation. “Even if the local Christian organizations had problems because of the delay, the heads of these institutions could have explored other avenues to make out their cases to the appropriate authorities. Their participation in the protest programme organized by Congress Party out of prejudice cannot be tolerated. If they continue with this attitude in future, the Minority Morcha may have to give a fitting reply,” Monteiro has warned through the release.
The Morcha has accused Congress leader, Ivan D’Souza, of reeling out a number of lies at the protest programme, and advised him to speak only after obtaining details of the road concreting work conducted by the BJP after rising to power. “Ivan D’Souza, who is happy to be in the news always, is advised to get coaching from primary school students to learn how many metres a kilometre has,” Franklin commented. He also chastised Ivan for remaining mum on the incomplete national highway work between B C Road and Suratkal that had been started in 2004, and instead, targetting the BJP, which has completed over 70 kms of concrete roads within two years.
He has also requested the minorities to wholeheartedly support the Anti Cow Slaughter Bill that the state government wants to enact, by honouring the sentiments of the majority Hindus, and be role models for social harmony and national integrity.