Mangalore Diocese Officials slams ‘Baseless’ claims linking Christian cemeteries to Dharmasthala Controversy

Mangalore Diocese Officials slams ‘Baseless’ claims linking Christian cemeteries to Dharmasthala Controversy

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, August 16, 2025: The Public Relations Officers of the Mangalore Diocese, Rev. Fr. J. B. Saldanha and Roy Castelino, have questioned recent remarks made by Opposition leader R. Ashok regarding the Dharmasthala burial controversy.

Rev. Fr. J. B. Saldanha and Roy Castelino

Ashok had alleged that a masked individual—who claimed hundreds of bodies were buried in Dharmasthala village and called for the land to be dug up—was a convert to Christianity and that “foreign funds” were involved. The diocese officials asked on what basis such claims were made, stating that a leader in such a responsible position should not make “childish statements” without evidence.

The officials also criticised former Union Minister B. Janardhana Poojary for linking the matter to Christian cemeteries. They clarified that Christian burial grounds maintain proper records and only bury members of the respective church, never anonymous or unclaimed bodies.

They said that dragging the issue of Christian cemeteries into the Dharmasthala matter was factually incorrect and deeply hurtful to the community.

Catholic Sabha Condemns Poojary’s Remarks

The Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh has condemned former Union Minister Janardhana Poojary’s recent remarks questioning Christian burial practices in churches.

Addressing a press meet at the city’s Press Club on Saturday, Catholic Sabha Central President Santosh D’Souza said the community has been conducting burials in designated church cemeteries lawfully for over 50 years, with due medical certification and police permissions where required. He said the remarks had deeply hurt the community.

D’Souza explained that graves are marked with concrete crosses bearing personal details, with all records maintained in church registers and prayers offered periodically for the deceased.

Public Relations Officer Paul Rolfie D’Costa, General Secretary Wilma Montero, Joint Secretary Alwyn Rodrigues, Immediate Past President Alwyn D’Souza, Former President Stany Lobo, and Interfaith Committee Convener Arun D’Souza were present.