Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (RJP)

Mangaluru, Nov 25: To the surprise of many church goers at Milagres Church here, Poorvika Mobiles Private Limited, a mobile phones retail company, distributed handbills with photos of Jesus and Holy Family to promote their products.

The handbills were distributed after the 8 am Mass on Sunday, November 25.

The people who received these handbills were unhappy to see the pictures of Jesus and Holy Family for promotion of mobile phones. Many people among them have complained to Daijiworld.

As per details available, there were three groups who came to distribute the handbills after the 8 am Mass at Milagres Church. They were all told not to enter the church premises as usual. A business house, an NGO and mobile retailer Poorvika started distributing their handbills to the people returning from Mass outside the church gates. Poorvika Mobiles leaflets were in envelopes. So naturally people read the other handbills first. When they opened the envelopes from Poorvika later, they expressed their unhappiness and anger.

Many people have condemned the act of using religious photos for business promotion at the place of worship. “This is really bad. No religious sentiments should be used to attract people towards any shop,” one said.

Community leaders have urged the public not to patronize shops like Poorvika who use religion to get business. It is said the Church authorities and Catholic Sabha office bearers have been already contacted by some people to intervene in the matter.

“If they are allowed to distribute photos at church, they will do it at mosques and temples also in the future,” another said.

 As per sources, a Christian association has planned to seek legal opinion to sue Poorvika Mobile Private Limited.