Secularism is guaranteed in our Constitution. In the past we have seen a lot of persecution of Christians in Dang district of Gujarat, Kandamaal in Odisha and Jhabua in MP. These atrocities have been committed during the rule of BJP. Also, we have seen large-scale atrocities in Mangalore and Bangalore. For us, the Church is universal. Whatever happens to our brothers and sisters in our own country, we feel that it is happening to us. The right-wing groups like the Sri Ram Sene and the Bajrang Dal get a free hand to commit atrocities against minorities when their mentor, the BJP is in power. The anti-conversion law enacted by the Gujarat govt goes against the very principles of our constitution. Now, it is for the people of Goa to gauge the situation and to see who is capable of defeating the communal forces. In my opinion, the TMC or the AAP are nowhere close in this fight in Goa. I have openly addressed a meeting of Reginaldo Lourenco, the Congress candidate, in Cortalim Assembly segment, as I felt that it is the only party which can defeat the BJP.
Dr Marconi Correia, Cansaulim
The advisory issued by the CSJP is a general call to the faithful to vote for a secular party so as to keep away the communal forces. This is most important as secularism is enshrined in our Constitution. The Congress party has been successful in maintaining the secular fabric of the country. As regards to Goa, I feel that the TMC and AAP will only divide the secular votes. It is my sincere appeal to vote for the Congress candidate and party to keep away the divisive forces.
Dr Mario Godinho,
Margao
Secularism is one of the basic pillars of our Constitution, and it is the duty of the Church to advise its followers to uphold secularism. In Goa we have seen that there are some selfish-minded people who, under this garb or other, divide the people, whereas their actual agenda is personal revenge. Churchill Alemao & Shalom Sardinha are perfect examples. They, themselves, know that they are not going to get elected, and in the bargain, are not bothered about what damage they will cause to the secular fabric of Goa. I am sure people of Goa will use their brains and will vote for the Congress to defeat the BJP.
Dr Antonio Rodrigues, Margao
Basically, there is a fear in the minds of Christians that if Narendra Modi comes to power, he might target the Christians. In Gujarat, the minorities are deprived of several benefits which are guaranteed to them by the Constitution. Per se, I do not say that Manohar Parrikar is communal and, in fact, I have worked for him in the past. However, the scene is quite different at the national level. When I had recently gone to Ahmedabad, the nuns and priests there informed me that they are not allowed to perform their jobs. If this happens in Gujarat, where Narendra Modi is Chief Minister, then it is likely to spread throughout the country if he becomes the prime minister. We have seen the annihilation of Muslims under Modi’s rule and that is the reason there is an apprehension in the minds of the minorities about the BJP. It is the Congress leaders who were instrumental in drafting the Indian Constitution which has guaranteed us a secular nation, and over the last 60 years, the Congress has been doing so. For me, Congress is the only choice before the electorate.
Dr Carmo Gracias,
Margao
Though the advisory issued by the CSJP does not specify a particular party to be voted for. It is for the people of Goa to see the reality and act accordingly. There is no other choice before the electorate of South Goa, than Reginaldo Lourenco, who has a clean image and who has been raising issues which are close to the hearts of Goans. Voting for fringe parties will, in turn, facilitate the communal forces to come to power. My advice to the voters is “Vote for Reginaldo in the South and Ravi Naik in the North.”
Adv Jose Pedro Godinho, Margao
The CSJP’s advisory will guide the faithful in the right direction while discharging their sacred duty of casting their vote. Though this advisory has specified neither the communal party nor the secular one, it is not difficult to identify the BJP as the communal party. Each of the other parties claim that they are truly secular, but that is not the issue. The aim is to defeat the BJP and each and every secular vote should be cast for that secular party. The candidates of the TMC and all such parties are just spoilsports. AAP is a fantastic idea but, unfortunately, its time has not yet come. Which leaves us with one party, the Congress, which upholds all values in the Constitution, including secularism and democracy, and which has a strong base in all of Goa. As such, I appeal to all secular citizens of Goa to vote for the Congress and to defeat the BJP in both the seats.
Dr Francisco Colaco,
Margao
I was very happy to read the CSJP’s circular that people of Goa should vote for a secular party, as I sincerely feel that this election is the most crucial and important election in the history of free India. This election will probably decide whether India will remain a truly secular country or whether secularism will become a sham. Narendra Modi is a threat to the secular fabric of the country and, in no way, can he be allowed to become the prime minister of the country. Therefore I appeal to all voters of Goa, to pay heed to the CSJP’s advisory, and to vote for the only secular party that can defeat the BJP. I do not think I have to spell it out, and I am sure that the secular vote will consolidate behind the Congress and give it victory in both of Goa’s Lok Sabha seats.
Dr Camilo Cunha,
Curtorim
