From: [email protected]
To:
Rally to protest atrocities against minorities on Feb 28 at Margao
MARGAO: With a view to opposing the proposed anti-conversion bill and to
protest alleged atrocities against minority communities in various parts of the
country, the Catholic Association of Goa will be organizing a solidarity rally
on February 28 at Margao. The rally will begin from Holy Spirit Church at
6.30pm and culminate at Lohia Maidan, followed by an awareness meeting on the
proposed bill.
Addressing mediapersons on Thursday, Fr Emidio Pinto, spiritual adviser of
Catholic Association of Goa, said that ever since the new government came to
power at the Centre, there has been a marked rise in atrocities against
Catholics in various parts of the country. He said the government has neither
denounced the acts nor taken action against the perpetrators.
"It is observed that during the last two months, over 38 cases of
vandalizing/desecration of Catholic places have been reported from various
states including New Delhi and Mangaluru. Several religious priests and nuns
are receiving threats to their lives and many have been beaten up. This has
created a sense of insecurity in the minds of the minorities," Pinto said.
Further stating that the Constitution of India confers on every citizen the
right to practice and propagate one's religious beliefs, Pinto said that such
instances of intolerance infringe on a citizen's fundamental rights. He
expressed apprehensions that the proposed new law is likely to be misused by
fundamentalist elements. "There are enough provisions in existing laws to
prevent forcible conversions. There is no need for enacting new laws," Pinto
said.
"Catholic Association of Goa is deeply hurt and wishes to express it by
organizing a peaceful rally to show solidarity with the suffering of innocent
Catholics and strongly demands that the governments, both at the Centre and the
state, take strict action against perpetrators of this hatred and vengeance,
and prevent further harassment to minorities," Pinto added.
