Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Oct 7: Social Justice Forum Fr John Fernandes, Dr Parinitha, Dr Rajaram Tolpadi, Dr Vijay Kumar Irvathoor, Dr Nithyananda Shetty, Dr C N Shridhar, Dr Rita Noronha, Eric Ozario, Ummer U H, Suresh Bhat Batrabailu, Dr Somashekharappa, Prof Pattabhirama Somayaji, Dr Udaya B and P V Mohan have stated in a joint press release that 'Social Justice Forum' was formed a few years ago, by some like- minded individuals, who came together in Mangalore to deliberate upon issues concerning social justice and to express their views publicly. Many a times in the past, the Forum organized programmes to educate the public on social issues, they have said.
The Forum members say, they are now appalled by the religious terrorism that is growing in India, in the past few years, and which has reached a pinnacle through the recent incidents of destruction of places of worship. "These criminal acts, we believe, are against the tenets of any religion. We also believe that it is the duty of every conscientious citizen of our beloved country to speak out against and defeat the purpose behind these despicable acts. In order to re-establish the corroding constitutional democratic principles and also to rebuild a healthy civil society and nation, we need to come together," the Forum reiterates.
The Social Justice Forum has desired to express its following views and has requested every one to take a serious note of the following:
- When people’s democratic rights are attacked or threatened, law of the land must prevail
- Introspection within all religions, developing respect for all religions and inter-religious dialogue is the need of the hour
- All attempts to wipe out identities and the uniqueness of different communities, is condemnable.
- While all opinions or arguments, for or against any issue, are welcome, one needs to study the issue thoroughly before forming an opinion
- Reactions based on rumours are irresponsible. Such irresponsibility is detrimental to harmony and peaceful co-existence
- 5 Forum opposes and condemns violence in any form to solve problems