Christians take part in rally against corruption

(December 15, 2010) In southern India’s Karnataka State, students from several Catholic colleges were among thousands of participants of a rally in Bangalore against corruption in the city. The public meeting was held on Dec. 11 to explain the impact of corruption on the poor. Some 20 NGOs organized the campaign named “Saaku” or “Enough”, to create awareness about increasing corruption in Karnataka. “Corruption can be fought and defeated only with the unity and collective force of the people” said organizers. Jesuit Fr. Ambrose Pinto, principal of St. Joseph’s College, backed the campaign. He said widespread corruption has led to the collapse of the social system in the country. “It is prevalent in all spheres of life, politics, bureaucracy, education, judiciary and media,” Fr. Pinto told ucanews. He warned that the rot would continue, unless civil movements joined the ordinary people to fight it.
Claretian Missionary priest, Fr. Johny Kattuparayil, a lawyer and activist, blames the politician-bureaucrat nexus and people’s ignorance for the growth of corruption. The joint secretary of the Bangalore Archdiocesan Commission for Justice, Peace and Development told ucanews that politicians, such as the Karnataka chief minister have “institutionalized corruption” in society. He wants the Church to join movements that strive to build a corruption-free society.
The “Saaku” campaign members have promised to support victims of corruption, urging them to not be “mute spectators while society is being plundered by politicians and bureaucrats.”