Archbishop Appeals Governor, CM against BJP MLA's Anti-Christian Remarks

(August 19, 2010) Taking strong objection to the anti-Christian remarks made by ruling BJP MLA from Khanapur in Belgaum district, Karnataka, Prahlad Remane while addressing the Independence Day Rally after unfurling the National Flag, Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore, India, has urged Karnataka Governor H R Bhardwaj and Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa to ensure that a directive was given to all Ministers and legislators to avoid making inflammatory and derogatory statements against different religions, thereby causing unnecessary communal tensions and disharmony. "We are extremely unhappy to state that the Khanapur MLA Prahlad Remane has made false allegations about the Christian Community converting people by unlawful means when the people of the area irrespective of caste, creed and colour had gathered for paying their respect to the National Flag during the Independence Day Celebration,” the Archbishop said. He appealed Governor to immediately intervene in this matter and instruct such persons holding responsible positions to have restraint and not to indulge in such activities which pain the Christian community or others and disturbs the peace in the society. These remarks had enraged the local Catholics and Christian community to such an extent that they observed a protest meeting in front of the Tahshildar’s office on August 16, Monday. Meanwhile, the local BJP leaders have disowned the controversial remarks of their party MLA and have made it clear that the party does not subscribe to such remarks.