Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Nov 23: Speaking at a press meet organized in the city on Saturday November 23, prominent Christian leaders expressed themselves strongly against general analysis being made and aspersions being passed on the Christian community, blaming it for not voting for a particular political party or individual, or defeat of certain candidates caused by the members of this community fighting as independents etc.

President of Karavali Konkans Leslie Rego said, "This is an educated and disciplined society that has served the health and education sectors in a big way. This community always wants good of others and wants harmonious coexistence apart from peace. Leaders of Catholic community like J M Lobo Prabhu, George Fernandes, Oscar Fernandes, Eva Vaz, J H Rodrigues, Margaret Alva, Octavia Albuquerque, Winnifred Fernandes, P M Castelino, Blasius D'Souza and others have served political field well and are looked upon with admiration. Our community has also been serving the society through other sectors. 

Recalling an some allegations against J R Lobo and other Christian candidates, he said, “Some people are spreading false information in social media that some Christian leaders are responsible for defeat of Congress candidates in the recently concluded MCC elections. They alleged that independent candidates were fielded against Congress candidates and Christian vote bank was divided. We are condemn these statements. That is not true. We do not represent any political party. Christians are present in many political parties and we cannot tell them to cast vote for any particular party. If Independent candidates have contested in elections, it is their right because we live in a republic country." 

"In political decisions, like all other communities have acted wise whereas the Christian community acted otherwise. When all other communities have been equally divided among all the political parties and thus enjoying the recognition, political position and the patronage, the Christian community is the only community that has remained the slave of one political party who has taken this community for granted without extending due and adequate representation by denying political positions, deserved seats in all elections and appointments, denied Christian Development Board on one hand and on the other cost the opportunity of enjoying the recognition and political patronage for our community from the other political parties. Therefore, now the mindset of our community has changed since few years so as to be equally divided among all political parties," he added. 

Further the leaders, addressing the gathering said that they wanted to put before the people certain points by way of clarification about their stand relating to political analysis being made by political leaders and others that have been published in publications and news channels about Christians not voting for the candidates of a particular political party, defeat caused by certain candidates because Christian candidates were fielded against them, etc. Expressing surprise and resentment at such things, the leaders said they wanted to place their own opinions in this regard before the people.

They said they are hurt by the comments of political leaders relating to election held to Mangaluru city corporation, that all Christian votes should have been cast for a particular party, candidates of certain political parties faced reverses because of the presence of Christians who fought as independent candidates etc. "We are hurt at the way some political leaders spoke, which were reported by the media, as if Christian candidates fighting elections as independent candidates are committing a crime. We condemn such attitude and want to know how they can expect the entire Christian community to say committed to a particular party," they questioned. They noted that each individual has the right to exercise the constitutional right of choosing the candidates of their choice and therefore urged the leaders not to blame
Christian community for anybody's defeat.

"Christian community is not limited to the twin districts of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada. It has its presence in Karnataka and all over the country and we have been organizing systematic programmes to create political awareness. Therefore, they said they want to impress upon political leaders not to pass the blame to Christian community for any development.

They pointed out that any person who is eligible to contest an election, has the right to do so through political parties or independently. "How far are leaders justified in blaming our community and leaders for their defeat? Are they justified in cultivating a mindset that this community should vote in a particular way as per their expectations?" they wanted to know.

The leaders noted that when independent candidates from other religions or communities fought the election or supported a particular party of their choice, no one had questioned and the same leaders had not succeeded in convincing them to withdraw their candidatures. They said that about 90 percent of Christians participate in voting process on account of awareness programmes about the need to vote organized by them, and agreed that their votes are decisive in deciding the result. "In the current scenario, people in the same family are split into different political parties. How then can one expect our community to support the same party? Why you do not believe that just like others, we too enjoy the right to fight elections as independents. These people should realize that under the changed environment,
no one can expect votes of particular communities to be reserved for a particular party. They also added that when a good candidate is fielded, Christians support them, notwithstanding heir political affinity.

"In the current day world, husbands, wives, and their children can have divergent political views. Therefore, Christians cannot tolerate comments like a leader from their community had supported an independent candidate, independent candidate did not withdraw from the fray, etc.

Catholic Sabha Mangaluru Pradesh president, Paul Rolphi D'Souza, Mangaluru diocese secretary M P Noronha, president of Rachana (Catholic Chamber of Commerce and Industries) Elias Sanctis, president of All India Christian Union Lancy D'Cunha, were present at the press meet.