The Roman Catholic Church in Goa through Caritas is playing an important role in actualizing the mission of Jesus Christ. Caritas-Goa, a charitable organization of the Archdiocese of Goa through “ASRO” at Thivim and Cavelossim, its care homes for AIDS, takes care of children and adults who are infected with HIV. Caritas-Goa is in the process of setting up a new larger home for the children with HIV.
How can politicians like Dr Subramanian Swamy crucify the Roman Catholic Church in Goa, when the Church has been playing an important role in the State by serving the poor, the needy, the oppressed, the differently-abled, people living with HIV, the marginalized and the victims of natural and manmade calamities.
According to Section 499 of the Indian Penal Code defamation is committed “Whoever, by words either spoken or intended to be read, or by signs or by visible representations, makes or publishes any imputation concerning any person intending to harm, or knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm, the reputation of such person, is said, to defame that person.”
Under Section 501 of the Indian Penal Code, whoever prints or engraves any matter, knowing or having good reasons to believe that such matter is defamatory of any person, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or both.
In his Facebook post by showing a photo with a caption “In Goa, the Church loves everyone, except HIV+ kids”, Dr Subramanian Swamy has defamed the Roman Catholic Church in Goa and has made an attempt to tear the peaceful fabric of our State. Both the Central and the State Government must not blindfold themselves like Maharani Gandhari who voluntarily blindfolded herself throughout her married life as her husband Dhritarashtra was born blind. It is the responsibility of the government and the law enforcing agencies to act as per the law and ensure that politicians like Dr Subramanian Swamy do not indulge in actions which defame a religious community and make an attempt to spread hatred among the citizens of our country.
I am sure that the Catholic community in Goa will remember the last words of Jesus Christ before dying on the cross “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” It is important to be calm and peaceful in the interest of our nations’ unity. Let us maintain our unity in diversity.
Politicians like Dr Subramanian Swamy avoid sacrificing the national interest at the altar of your personal interest but remember it is time to sow seeds of unity.
(The writer is a law student of V M Salgaocar College of Law, Miramar.)
