National President: Dr. John Dayal [Member, National Integration Council, Government of India]
Dear Dr John Dayal, This writer understands from the Archbishops office this afternoon 1/2/2005 and as per their press release on the local English daily The Navhind Times in reply to a news item on the Gomantak Times -- alleged threats of Bajrang Dal activist ---that they too have pursued the matter with the authorities in Delhi, though there is no correspondence copies to that effect niether has this writer been informed as to who are the persons the Archdioces has contacted. However the devoutees who have come here and others who will follow are desiorous to know the outcome of the email you kindly sent to Mr Oscar Fernandes on 31st January, 2005 following the teletalk by this writer on two ocassions as the devoutees are upset that even at the last minute no final word has come either from the Archdiocese of Goa & Daman Office or Defence Ministers office or Office of the Station Commander Sea Bird Please see the urgency and intimate either telephonically 09822158584 or via email [EMAIL PROTECTED] If for whatever reasons the customary feast cannot be celebrated the Defence authorities will have to explain the reasons for the same and the matter needs to be raised in Parliament as they strongly believe that this denial is an infringement on the rights of minorities and others to practice their religion in a secular democratic country, besides that it is a violation of the terms of tranfer of the Island to the Ministry of Defence in 1987 wherein it was clearly stated that with security considerations the customary feast will be celebrated. In fact since the Chief Minister of Goa of the BJP led Government is presently caught up in a political uncertainity it is difficult to get his attention in the matter. Incidentally he had donated Rs,25,000 in April 2002 for the repairs of the Church which was appreciated by the entire community of Binaga and Karwar. Nevertheless his office has been kept posted of the developments. So also the Member of Parliament Mr Eduardo Faleiro Mr Churchill Braz Alemao and also the Governor of Goa. Even the Mrs Margaret Alva MP has been posted of the developments and requested to broach the issue with the Defence authorites. Meanwhile this writer is presently camping at Binaga Karwar to assist in the last minute preparations but has seen large contingent of armed Naval Police posted at all the gates leading to the Sea Bird offices. Till the time of writing 0110 hrs there is no official letter from the Sea Bird office intimating the reason for not allowing the customary festivities on the Island on 2/2/2005. >From near Sea Bird Project Area BINAGA KARWAR GODFREY J I GONSALVES [EMAIL PROTECTED] All India Catholic Union Founded 1919, Registered under Societies Registration Act 1860. Representing the Catholic Laity of India through 120 Diocesan, units nation- wide National Vice President: Mr. Dolphy D'Souza Secretary General: Mr. Elias Vas Treasurer: Mr. Eugene Gonsalves AICU President's address for correspondence; 505 Link, 18 IP Extn. Delhi 110092 India email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Phone: 91-11-22722262 Mobile 09811021072 31 January 2005 Mr. Oscar Fernandes Minister for State [Independent Charge] Government of India Re: Sangh Parivar threat to Worship at Ancient church on Anjediva Island Dear Mr. Fernandes Greetings It is with a sense of urgency that I bring to your notice the following facts with a request that they may be taken up with Union Defence Minister Mr. Pranab Mukherjee for his urgent and immediate intervention. As you, there is an ancient and historic Church of Our Lady of Springs (Nossa Senhora das Brotas) at Anjediva Island off Canacona Taluka near Karwar, which now is part of the waters of the Naval submarine establishment Sea Bird. The Government and the Indian Navy had agreed that devotees could visit the Church on Feast Days. Rear Admiral S Sinha, Flag Office Commanding Goa Area, Vasco da Gama, Goa, had in July 2004 after assuming office proudly announced the removal of restrictions for the Feast and this was widely welcomed. I have now received an urgent SOS from Catholic Union activists that some persons under the banner of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad [Mr. Pramod Mutalik's press statement in a Kannada daily dated 23 January 2005] are threatening to stall the celebration of this customary feast in the guise that a similar permission should be granted to worship a deity Arya Durga which was allegedly moved away to Ankola following the advent of the Portuguese on Anjediva in 1500. A similar attempt to march several persons was made by the VHP on 21st October 2004 on the eve of Dussehra festival but was averted by the timely intervention of the Karwar Development Commissioner and Sea Bird Station Commander Cmdre S S Karnik. The threat seems misplaced as ever since the Island was under the jurisdiction of Goa except for this Feast and yet another Feast of St Francis de Assisi celebrated on 4th October no other festival was ever celebrated nor was there any demand from either the people of Goa or the people of Karwar. May I request you to ensue with the Central and State governments that the devotions at Anjediva take place as customary. With warm personal regards John Dayal ________________________________________________________________________ Yahoo! India Matrimony: Find your life partner online Go to: http://yahoo.shaadi.com/india-matrimony ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> DonorsChoose. A simple way to provide underprivileged children resources often lacking in public schools. Fund a student project in NYC/NC today! http://us.click.yahoo.com/5F6XtA/.WnJAA/E2hLAA/0FHolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> http://www.goa-world.com http://www.live365.com/stations/61664 Live Konkani Music http://www.mahableshwar.com/ Addresses: Post message: [email protected] Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] List owner: [EMAIL PROTECTED] URL to this page: http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/gulf-goans Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-goans/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
