TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: The council of Social Justice and Peace (CSJP) has in a carefully worded statement set out a list of “issues in Goa that demand attention” among them are the medium of instruction (MoI) and the regional plan 2021.
Speaking to Herald on the significance of both these issues, Fr Maverick Fernandes, executive secretary of CSJP said that, while these issues on their list did not indicate supporting any party, it was one of the foremost issues that occupied the state’s consciousness over the last year.
“The government itself is not clear on its stand on the medium of instruction. Before the court itself they have given different views,” Fr Maverick has said while adding that because they have raised the issue it does not necessarily mean that they are implying support for the government or for the opposition.
“This is one issue, there are many other issues we have raised for which we’ve taken on the government,” Fr Fernandes said.
The other issues listed by CSJP include– establishment of a functional Human Rights Commission and a Minority Rights Commission, recognition for Tribal rights, recognition for Dalit Christians, recognition of farmers’ rights, acceptance of people’s right to self-governance (Panchayati Raj), protection and promotion of people’s rights to livelihood, conservation, protection and promotion of environment and ecology, supercession of TCP Act and replacement with Goa Development Planning Act, illegal mining, illegal hill cutting, land filling and construction, Regional Plan 2021, rampant corruption and lawlessness, draconian police laws, human trafficking, child abuse & paedophilia, illegal drug trade, casino culture, rising communalism, right to choice in medium of instruction.
It may be recalled that both the Congress and the BJP have been avoiding the issue of the medium of instruction in their poll campaigns with the BJP not uttering a word about it during its yatra through the state, even though Opposition Leader Manohar Parrikar had vowed to revoke the government’s decision if the BJP is voted to power. The Congress too developed cold feet and allowed the issue to be subverted.
The Church had however, earlier too made its stand clear on the MoI with the Archdiocesan Board of Education clearly saying they supported choice.
The statement released by the CSJP titled “A Call for Political Responsibility,” has been sent to various parishes to be read in the churches and put up on church notice boards.
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The Bismarque Effect?
The CSJP has tread the fine line while making its stand clear that it cannot support parties or candidates but encourages Catholics to “participate in political life.”
“For Catholics, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation which is rooted in the baptismal commitment to follow Jesus Christ and to bear Christian witness. The Church is involved in the political process but is not partisan. The Church cannot champion any candidate or party. Its cause is the defence of human life and dignity and the protection of the weak and vulnerable and integrity/morality in public life,” the statement reads.
