Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Nov 6: Catholic Sabha, Mangaluru Pradesh and Karnataka Christian Social Welfare Association organised a Mangaluru division level declare meet on 'Our Share, Our Right'.

Inaugurating the meet Fr. Mathew Vaz, spiritual director of Catholic Sabha, Mangaluru Pradesh, said "Our constitution always ensures a life of equality. It will not allow any discrimination because of caste, creed and community. So our state and central governments make various policies to up lift the people who are not able to come into mainstream," 

"In Karnataka we Christians are among minorities and hence eligible for various developmental funds allotted by the government. But due to lack awareness we are unable to claim these funds. 'Our share, our right' is a good initiative by our community leaders which helps shape a better future. It will not only inform us about our rights but will also encourage us to fight for our rights,” he added. 

“The initiative ‘Our share, our rights’ greatly helps the community. It helps us avail the benefits our constitution has reserved for us. We should claim what has been reserved for us,” said Milagres Church parish priest Fr Valerian D’Souza.

Karnataka Christians Social Welfare Association president Harry D’Souza imparted information on 'Our Share, Our Right'. “Government has specially started a minority welfare department under Department of the Social Welfare in 2004 keeping in view the large number of minorities in the state. Its purpose is to try to bring them into the main stream by providing a special budget for them. But the Christian minorities face hurdles and injustice at every step,” he said.

“Even when the minorities received a budget of Rs 2,750 crore in 2017, Christians are in no way benefited. Christians have not received any information regarding this grant. If this continues, the community will be greatly affected. Hence there is a need to start Karnataka Christians Development Nigam. Government should allocate Rs 850 crore separately for the development of Christians. Government should appoint a commission to study the status and population of Christians in Karnataka and include them under OBC or other reservation group,” he added.

Fr Philip Nellivila, chancellor, diocese of Puttur presided over the programme.

Fr Valerian Fernandes, Editor Raknno, Fr Oswald Monteiro, Director CODP, Sr. Edna Furtado, Mr Prashanth Jathanna, Director BIG TV, Edward D’Souza, Chairman FKCA, Bengaluru, Rashmi D'Souza, State General Secretary of Minority Morcha, BJP, Sushil Noronha, JDS leader, Robin Mathew, State President of Samajwadi Party, Gerald Towers, Leader AAP, Sr Michelle from Bethany Sahodaya, Joylus D’Souza, Anil Lobo, President Catholic Sabha Mangaluru Pradesh were present on the stage.