Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network
Bangalore, Oct 19 : A delegation of Christian leaders met Karnataka Chief Minister Siddharamaiah and conveyed their gratitude to him on behalf of entire Christian community for the bold decision taken by the state cabinet to reject the Somshekar Inquiry Commission report into the infamous series of church attacks. The delegation, led by Ronald Colaco, also welcomed the decision of the Chief Minister directing the Home department to order a fresh inquiry based on the recommendations of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The delegation which met the Chief Minister at his residence conveyed its gratitude to the Chief Minister for his bold decision to reject the report.
The delegation also extended an invitation to the Chief Minister to attend the main d ceremony of canonisation of Blessed Fr Joseph Vaz scheduled to be held in the holy place of Mudipu for three days from January 14, 2015. Sri Ronald Colaco, Chairman of International Federation of Karnataka Christian Associations (IFKCA) who led the delegation also requested the Chief Minister to convert Karnataka Christian Development Committee into Karnataka Christian Development Board.
The delegation comprised Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader, Mangalore MLA J R Lobo who was the first one to raise voice in the assembly against the report, Ronald Colaco, Chairman of IFKCA, lawyer M P Noronha, who represented the Christian community in the inquiry commission report, Fr Gregory D Souza, Secretary of IFKCA Michael Baptist, IFKCA state convenor Denis D Silva, Prashanth Jathanna, President of Udupi unit of IFKCA, Joseph Lobo, Convenor of Balehonnur unit of IFKCA, Convenor of IFKCA Bangarpet taluk K Standly, Jilla panchayat member Melvyn D Souza, catholic leaders Roshan D Souza, Lancy Rodrigues, Ashok D Souza, Michael D Souza, Alwyn D Souza and Marcel D Souza were part of the delegation that met the Chief Minister.