Udupi: Various Christian Associations in the state have condemned the anti-Christian statements made by senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader K S Eshwarappa during his election speech at Bagalkot recently.
Addressing a press meet at Udupi Press Club, Louis Lobo, Udupi District unit President, International Federation of Karnataka Christian Associations (IFKCA), said that K S Eswarappa during the election campaign at Bagalkot, spoke irresponsibly by making objectionable statements against the Christian communities of the nation. “Being one of the senior leaders of the BJP, Eswarappa has said that Christians are not sincere and are not ‘Deshbakths’. This statement of Eswarappa is against the Constitution of India. We strongly condemn the irresponsible statements made by Eswarappa against the Christian communities of the nation” said Louis Lobo.
Louis Lobo said that even though Christian population is around 2.5% of the total population of the country, the contribution of the community towards the nation is ten times more. “The Christian community has served the nation in the field of education, social service, health services and many others. Senior leaders of the BJP like Lal Krishna Advani and others have appreciated Christians for our contribution to the nation. Stalwarts of the BJP like Advani have never given any anti-Christian statements,” Louis Lobo added.
Prashanth Jathanna, President of Bharatiya Christian Okkoota, said that various Christian Associations have admonished K S Eshwarappa for calling Christians as insincere, unpatriotic and not trust worthy. “The Christian community demands Eshwarappa’s apology. Legal action will be taken against him if he continuous his tirade against Christians,” Prashanth Jathanna said.
Steevan Colaco, Secretary of IFKCA, Raymond Menezes, Designate President of Catholic Sabha, Udupi Pradesh, Janet Barboza, President of Sthri Sanghatan and other were present.