The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) must produce hard evidence - names,
addresses, dates of alleged fraudulent conversions instead of themselves
tring to stoke communal fires with sweeping statements and/or lies.
The honorable gentlemen in the HJS must also learn to discern between
altruism, community service and "allurements". The HJS should be apprised
that every Christian is enjoined to perform acts of mercy and charity ( or
good works as the Bible puts it ) failing which the Christian faith would be
a dead, empty faith.
Or could it be that the HJS and others of its ilk do not want to lend a
helping hand to the poor and can't bear it when others do so?
Apropos the report on the land acquisition for the kabrasthan prayers; and
Mr Mulla's "clarification" that prayers will be held on the new plot while
burials would be conducted on the old adjacent site, it should be borne in
mind that regardless of said technical clarification; the plot would still
be anintegral part of the graveyard and since many residential sites are
3 -10 meters away this would amount to violating the law to permit the
expansion.
Lest we forget, history is replete with examples of those who have gone back
on their solemn assurances. Do the aggrieved envisage endless litigation at
best or violence at worst?
If, as it is contended in some quarters, there is indeed a space crunch for
fresh burials, a plot can be acquired elsewhere for a new graveyard. The
dead cannot inconvenience the liviing.
Should the land acquisition (expansion for prayers or other reasons) be
allowed, please note, this will aggravate the situation and escalate to more
serious problems in the near future.
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COMMUNALISM WATCH :: GOA
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Hindu samiti alarmed over 'forced' conversions
HERALD March 18, 2007 Page 3
By Herald Reporter
PANJIM, March 17 -- The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) has
demanded strong action against the people forcing conversions
through force.
According to HJS, conversion of faith through force or
allurement is on the rise in Goa. And, if forced conversions
are not stopped, it would lead to a big law and order problem
in the state. Forced conversion by the Believers has been
causing unrest among Hindus.
PARRIKAR CALLS FOR DEEPER PROBE INTO SANVORDEM RIOTS
Welcomes magisterial inquiry report
NAVHIND TIMES * MARCH 22, 2007
NT Staff Reporter
Panaji, March 22
Welcoming the magisterial inquiry report into last year's
communal riots at Sanvordem-Curchorem, the Bharatiya Janata
Party said that a deeper investigation should be carried out
into the incident to pin down the real conspirators.
the leader of the Opposition, Mr Manohar Parrikar, addressing
a press conference this morning said the Collector (North
Goa) Mr Nikhil Kumar who carried out the inquiry and prepared
a report had done a good job.
Milli Council says report on riots clears baselles charges
HERALD, MARCH 22, 2007
Herald Reporter
VASCO, MARCH 21 - All-India Milli Council State President
Iqbal Mohidin has stated that the magisterial report on the
Curchorem-Sanvordem riots is significant for the Goan
Muslims, as it has exonerated them of the allegations that
Muslims were responsible for the riots as they had brought
"armed outsiders" to Goa.
"The report as 'much delayed but much awaited' as the
peace-loving Goan Muslims were deeply hurt when such baseless
allegations were levied against us. In fact, our community
had only assembled for a peaceful procession against the
demolition of the religious structure. It is important for us
that we have been relieved of the charge by the magisterial
inquiry into the whole incident," said Mohidin.
http://oheraldo.in/node/23290
Probe indicts none, says riots pre-planned
HERALD MARCH 21
BY HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, MARCH 20 - The Magisterial inquiry which went into
the Curchorem-Sanvordem communal riots in early March last
year, has concluded that "it is intuitively and logically
reasonable to presume" that there was a pre-planned and
pre-conceived orientation to the communal riots but in the
absence of any tangible evidence, it is not possible to
identify or pinpoint the actual persons or organisations
responsible for it.
The inquiry report submitted by the North Goa District
Collector and District Magistrate Nikhil Kumar was made
public by the government on Tuesday.
Going through the issue in detail, the Magistrate said the
violence that occurred on March 3-4 was in the nature of an
eruption which was precipitated due to the building up of
continuous tension and strain between the two communities --
Hindus and Muslims -- over the past many months.
http://oheraldo.in/node/23345
Kabrastan issue takes a grave turn
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, MARCH 21 -Tension rent the air at the District
Collectorate building here on Wednesday morning as
anti-kabrastan protestors turned up in sizeable numbers,
sending a stern warning to the politicians and bureaucrats
that the people of Margao are opposed to land acquisition for
expansion of the kabrastan atop Pajifond hillock.
Verbal arguments also ensued between a supporter of the
burial grounds and an anti-kabrastan activist inside the
office of the Land Acquisition Officer, Venancio Furtado, who
had to intervene to bring down frayed tempers.
Anti-kabrastan protestors came in a morcha at the
Collectorate co-inciding with the hearing of objections
before the land acquisition officer. The land owner, Savio
Clovis de Costa was not present since he was indisposed. The
matter was later adjourned.
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