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Dear Fr. Frazer,
You are absolutely right in the stand that you and St Xavier's College have
taken on Arun Ferreira.
The might of the Government cannot browbeat and do whatever it wants to do
under the guise of alleged Naxalism of which Arun Ferreira is accused of.
If Arun Ferreira is guilty than surely he must be punished but that needs to be
proved in the court of law which in this case after fours years and nine trials
the state has not been able to prove.
I too do not support violence of any kind. Because the vast majority are
silent that state tramples on the human rights of individuals which probably
has happened in this case.
We would like to second Fr. Frazer that the Chief Minister, Home Minister and
the Governor must intervene in such a situation and help find the truth.
A call to others not to remain silent and atleast demand this intervention.
Dolphy D'souza
Immd.Past President
THE BOMBAY CATHOLIC SABHA.
----- Original Message -----
From: Robin Viegas
To: KonkaniCatholics
Sent: Wednesday, October 26, 2011 7:49 AM
Subject: [KonkaniCatholics] 'We at Xaviers's encourage critical thought' - Fr
Frazer Mascarenhas Principal St Xaviers College, Mumbai Ht Mumbai Oct 23rd pg 4.
This is with reference to `Innocent or guilty? Let the courts decide' (October
16, Page 15). Media reports of the re-arrest of Arun Ferreira on charges of
being a Naxalite have served to spread awareness of the possible problems human
rights workers can face.
Instances abound of activists being targeted and even killed for raising their
voices against injustice. It is safer to stay silent and the vast majority do.
Should an educational institution teach the theory of anthropology or zoology
in a sanitised, secluded atmosphere or should it encourage critical thinking in
a real-world context? St Xavier's attempts to conscientise its students by
involving itself in social and political issues, especially concerning the
disadvantaged. Our students have recently hosted meaningful discussions on
campus with Aruna Roy, Prashant Bhushan and others trying to make a difference
in our country. While the college has supported the anti-corruption movement,
we have cautioned that democratic processes need to be respected, given that
they have borne good fruit like the RTI Act.
Earlier this year, we hosted a public hearing on the Jaitapur issue, with
academicians, activists and affected people bearing testimony. Last year we
hosted a public hearing on the effects of global warming on the livelihood of
the marginalised. And we have supported justice for Binayak Sen, who has
devoted his life to tribals but is also accused of waging war on the State.
SHOULD WE TEACH THEORY IN A SANITISED ATMOSPHERE OR ENCOURAGE CRITICAL .
THINKING IN A REALWORLD CONTEXT? Arun Ferreira may be guilty of what he is
being charged with. But four years of jail, interrogation, narcoanalysis and
trials in nine cases have not been able to prove the charge. Is a 10th case
needed, with continuing denial of bail?
As principal of St Xavier's College, I have encouraged our students and alumni
to petition the highest democratically elected officials of our state -the
Chief Minister and Home Minister -to enquire into and intervene in this case of
an alumnus. There is not a hint of support to violence in this.
St Xavier's lives by Christian values that abhor violence and encourage
self-sacrifice. Along with academic excellence, involvement in issues of social
importance, critically analysing them and raising public consciousness, are
what an educational institution of repute tries to distinguish itself in.
-Frazer Mascarenhas, principal, St Xavier's College
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