These
politicians now in the BJP will have to defend their turf and these statements
are being made. With regards the church being direct, I believe they have
always been proactive. During the run up to the election they were active and I
believe they have to be so. They were in the language agitation and every other
issue that had a bearing on the state. We have to retain the flavour of the
place.
DATTAPRASAD SHETKAR LEAD ORGANISER TEDX
The church has always taken a prominent position in situations
like the Konkani agitation, statehood and the church has always worked for the
progress of Goa. With regards to who will benefit politically, I believe it
will be the people of Goa. But the turncoat MLAs now in the BJP have self-
destructed by politically aligning with the BJP and the desperation is due to
the fear of losing their identity. They are getting irrelevant, the church used
to give them relevance, it has given them the identity in politics.
EVERSON VALES, CONGRESS POLITICIAN NUVEM
Optimally the Govt. ought to be protecting minority interest but
in India in the last about six years, legislation is targeted at the
minorities. The minority is therefore bound to react. The reaction of the
church is therefore in this context. However, the church must be careful as it
amounts to playing into the hands of those who are out to intimidate the
minorities. For instance I would feel that the church must come out strongly
against the BJP stand in the Supreme Court in terms of which the rights
guaranteed to the schedule caste and schedule tribes are being diluted. The
church ought to back the victimized sections of the society, irrespective of
their religion.
RADHARAO GRACIAS, POLITICAL COMMENTATOR, MAJORDA
The church has realised the BJP has gone into overdrive with
regards to Hindutva. Politically the people will benefit but they will also
have to come out in the open and state their opposition.
ARTURO D SOUZA, ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVIST AND PETITIONER TO SAVE THE BONDOVOL LAKE
IN ST CRUZ
Though I support the CAA, with regards to the Church I will say
that they have the right to their position because it is a democracy and
everyone has a right to take a stance. Who will benefit politically, well I
don’t think it is a political problem. Even Mahatma Gandhi talked about all
this in 1947.
ANIL COUNTO BUSINESSMAN, PANJIM
The Archbishop is spreading the truth and is in sync with the
constitution. He is not concerned about the reaction. Well he is on the side of
the people. The church is not an agent of the politician. With regards the
direct stance, well the church has always been with the people. The church
feels the pulse of the people and believes that people in the country be they
Christian or not are deeply unhappy with the turn of events.
The Indian civilisation has been welcoming and the Indian
constitution says so too. The Bishops words were in that spirit. Politically
the church is looking for justice for all people.
FR. VICTOR FERRAO DEAN OF PHILIOSPHY AT RACHOL SEMINARY SOUH GOA SALCETE
I believe Bishops, Archbishops, Gurus and Imams should never
interfere in politics period. When all this happens, the people will suffer.
It’s as simple as that. I don’t want to answer anything about the church.
BHAI NAIK, POLITICIAN AND BUSINESSMAN,
MARGAO
The Archbishop has the right to voice his opinion. Personally, I
support the implementation of CAA but I am against NRC. Catholics are not
getting citizenship in Goa. The Church has the right to oppose and state their
position in whichever way they want. Everyone has the right to support or
oppose in a democracy. I will also say this, if the NRC is implemented, I will
resign from my constituency.
CLEOFACIO DIAS, BJP MLA CUNCOLIM
