http://oheraldo.in/node/10671
'Religious structures on govt land should go' BY HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MARCH 6 -– A meeting called at short notice in the City to condemn the violence in Curchorem and Sanvordem brought together eminent citizens, doctors, advocates, businessmen, teachers, academicians, journalists, NGOs and youths, who in unison gave a call to the authorities to demolish religious structures on government land and ban religious functions in public departments. Speakers, who were given five minutes each to share their views and give suggestions, went on for more than the prescribed time, thus showing their angst against the government apathy towards the whole incident at the T B Cunha Hall. Advocate Amrut Kansar said that government departments should not be allowed to hold religious functions. He suggested constituting a body to keep a watch on communal forces so that activities against religions are nipped in the bud. Tomazinho Cardozo felt constituting ward committees of members of all communities at grass-roots would bring about bonhomie. "Let us not get emotional about the Curchorem incident. But let us be emotional enough to know what has to be done so that such incidents do not occur in future" said businesswoman Anju Timblo. Amongst the most vociferous of the speakers, Dr Oscar Rebello went onto brand every single Congress politician as a businessman who was holding on to his chair for personal gains. "We foolishly believe that Congress is secular; be on guard, they're (Cong) as communal as the BJP is," he warned. Noted Konkani singer Ulhas Buyao castigated a vernacular daily for entertaining RSS functionary like Subhash Velingker to write articles that were igniting communal passions. Floriano Lobo, in his strong reaction to the incident, said Rane and Parrikar were both corroborators in the Curchorem-Sanvordem frenzy. Among others who spoke on the occasion were Rui Ferreira, Prashanti Talpankar, Sabina Martins, Minguel Braganza, Pandurang Kulalkar, Fr Pratap Naik and Yasmina Menon. -- TUMCHER AXIRVAD ASSUM; DEV BOREM KORUM. Gabe Menezes. London, England
