Captain Venzy Viegas of AAP, who is likely to be fielded as the party’s candidate from Benaulim, was interestingly chosen to have the first press conference of the Aam Aadmi Party on the destruction of the Little Flower Church in Delhi, a constituency which is represented by AAP’s MLA. This press conference was held a full two weeks after the horrible destruction of the Delhi Church, on a day when the Delhi Chief Minister was in Goa and said the Church was destroyed by the Delhi Development Authority, which is controlled by the Central government. However, it is headed by the Lt Governor of Delhi.
Goans pleased that Delhi CM has promised justice but there are unanswered questions for which answers are urgently expected
Venzy Viegas of AAP began by saying for the first time that Arvind Kejriwal will give justice. We assume he meant justice to the people of the area who have lost their place to pray. The issue is of sentiments and many Goans have been affected by the destruction of the Church. While Goans will welcome the promise of justice they will anxiously wait to see how this justice will be given, since, for the past two weeks, they have been waiting for some assurance from AAP that the place of worship, so important to the parishioners will be rebuilt. However, there are some unanswered questions that people are expecting answers in order to give them peace of mind that the Delhi government will definitely give justice.
But before that, let us ask if this press conference had to be taken because Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao travelled all the way to Delhi as a concerned citizen?
Capt Viegas asked why Churchill had gone to Delhi? Goans will ask why not?
Churchill Alemao as a concerned citizen went all the way to Delhi, to see the site of destruction, meet the parish priest and others and get a full knowledge of the ground situation. Whatever Churchill spoke was on the basis of first-hand knowledge he got by taking the trouble of finding out for himself the facts surrounding this horrible act. This was a responsible thing to do. The AAP in Delhi should also get first-hand information by going to the spot.
Perhaps if Captain Viegas had similarly taken the trouble go to Delhi had got the facts first hand instead of receiving them a second or third hand from his party, he may have thought differently and not addressed this press conference from this platform.
He also asked how did Churchill reach the place, how did he get police permission. The very fact that AAP played a video of Churchill with the priests and other locals (presumably parishioners) and he was seen speaking cordially with them, is clear that he was welcomed there, and the destroyed Church has not been declared a high-security zone out of bounds of people. Capt Viegas would have received the same welcome there.
Questions: Goans would now like to, in full faith, ask the following questions expect answers
Was the demolition carried out on the orders of the court? Can the Court order specifying that the Little Flower Church should be demolished be produced?
Along with the copy of the Court order, can the administrative order for demolition also be produced? Who signed the administrative order?
Did the BDO and the local District Magistrate, both Delhi government play any role in the demolition process, if yes, please specify?
Was there any dialogue held with the Church authorities telling them that there is an intention to do a large-scale demolition and ruin the Church, its altar and everything else. If yes, can the minutes of this meeting please be produced?
Even if the Delhi Chief Minister is passing the blame on DDA, does he approve of the demolition? Since he has spoken about justice, has he made a clear statement that injustice has been done to the people of the faith who were worshippers in the Church?
If the DDA’s action was wrong, did the Delhi government which strongly protests against any wrongdoing by any Central government body or agency, write to the DDA stating its objections in writing, since the matter pertains to the people of Delhi?
Finally, any promise of justice has to be time-bound and people must know how this will be given.
Goans are hopeful and sure that these questions will be answered soon.
