State government responds favorably to Christian demands

State government responds favorably to Christian demands

Mangalore Today News Network

angalore, March 4: The government of Karnataka has responded favorably to the demands of the Christian community, namely, to withdraw criminal cases against Christian youth and to reject Justice Somashekara Inquiry Commission’s final report.

 

Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza, the Bishop of the Mangalore Diocese, said that the sanctioning of Rs. 50 crore to the community does not alter the community’s feelings toward the government in a big way; however, the government’s assurances and the monetary compensation proves that the government is sensitive regarding the community’s requirements. The community has begun trusting the government, but these feelings of goodwill will endure only if the government keeps its promises, he added.

Criticizing the current state government, the Bishop said that there was no communal disharmony in Mangalore till the BJP came to power. Stressing that the Catholic community has not acted against any religion or community, he said that Christianity has taught the Christian people to love one another. He said that the Christians do not feel safe and secure because fundamentalist forces do not really understand Christianity and consider Christians as their opponents.

Further stating that the government cannot expect the Christian community to change its take on the injustice done to them by just giving them money, he said that injustice is still injustice although the community expresses gratefulness for the funds given to the community.

The Bishop said that he had brought to the notice of Home Minister R. Ashoka the fact that the Somashekara commission had failed to find out the truth during their meeting on Feb 18. He also said that the delegation had urged the home minister to request the chief minister to reject the final report and to withdraw all cases against the Christians.

The Bishop also said that further steps will be taken after the Cabinet comes to a decision regarding the report and the cases, adding that the possibility to taking recourse to law is also being examined. He said that if the government is not interested in handing over the case to the CBI, it should at least appoint another commission of inquiry comprising people of high integrity to investigate the case.