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Thanks, but no thanks: Christians on
demand for pilgrimage subsidy
Mumbai
TIMES NEWS
NETWORK
BJP MLA Ashish Shelar's
demand for a subsidy for Christians to visit Jerusalem has evoked strong
reactions from the community . Dolphy D'Souza, ex-president,
Bombay Catholic Sabha, said Christians had not made the demand, and it
was unacceptable. “We do not need such patronization from the
government. Our community needs empowerment, security and protection of
our rights. We want communal harmony and peace,'' he said.
The
demand has raised eyebrows as the Church does not require its followers
to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, the Vatican or any other holy place.
In fact, the Church urges its followers to contribute for providing
medical aid and education facilities to the poor.
Gordon
D'Souza, president, Bombay Catholic Sabha, said it was the last of the
seven demands made to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis when community
members met him with regard to the at tack on the Panvel church. “It is
not our fo cus at all,'' he said.
Bandra activist Anil Joseph
said the subsidy was not needed. “It is nothing but vote-bank politics.
The Congress did it for Muslims and there is no need for the BJP to
do the same for Christians. Such appeasement creates resentment and a
divide,'' he said.
Shelar said he raised the demand as it had
come from the community . “Such a subsidy is offered by the Andhra
Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala govern ments. If the government offers
such a subsidy , it will be entirely voluntary . Those who want
will avail of it. This is not
the only issue I have raised. I have taken up the issue of Catholic
schools and security of the community too,'' he said.
Joseph
Eliss, general secretary , National Christian Council, India, said in
a press release, “I am so glad that another issue has been taken up
by Shelar on our behalf and we believe it will happen soon.
Three years back, I had taken it up with the previous government but there was
no response.“
H S D'Lima, an activist from the Andheri gaothan, said,
“Christianity does not require you to go on a pilgrimage to any holy
place. The religion requires every Christian to do God's will. This demand is
stupid.''
