An MLA or MP irrespective of caste, class and religion is the elected representative of the people of the particular constituency. He / she represents his/her people in the Assembly and Parliament respectively in an Indian democracy.
Undoubtedly, in recent time some Christians and other minorities in Goa and other parts of India and their institutions have been wrongly targeted and are on the receiving end due to some hidden agenda of the communal forces. In such circumstances, it is the responsibility not only of the Christians but also of all the citizens of this country to fight against these divisive forces.
In Goa there are about 100 diocesan schools and many Higher Secondary institutions besides many other Christian educational institutions. They have been doing enormous service to the citizens in Goa. Therefore these institutions cannot be side-lined. As reported, about four Catholic institutions did not get approval from the present ruling dispensation. If the Diocesan Society of Education feels that injustice is being meted out only to them on educational front then the issue could have been resolved by involving all the MLAs, MPs, Village Sarpanches, Zilla parishad members, NGOs, and other leaders of the people in Goa.
Such a move would have helped not only the Catholics institutions but also other institutions which have been side-lined. Inviting only the Catholic MLAs to fight for justice and pressuring the present regime will not help the public institutions in general, on the contrary it has boosted up the dwindling image of some Catholic MLAs in Goa.
Rui Pereira, Navelim
