Christian leaders plead for John's reinstatement

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, FEB. 17. Representatives of various Christian denominations and organisations in Bangalore have pleaded for the reinstatement of the former minister, Mr.T.John, who had to resign following his remarks describing the Gujarat earthquake as a retribution for the attacks on Christians.

They have urged the Archbishop of Bangalore, the Most. Rev. Dr.Ignatius Pinto, to take up the matter with the Chief Minister, Mr.S.M.Krishna. They have said that besides reinstating Mr.John, one more Christian should be appointed as a minister.

In a letter to the Archbishop, they said: "We are certainly not trying to defend Mr.John's words, however inadvertently or unwittingly they may have been expressed. As a person holding public office, he should have been more careful in his choice of words while expressing any opinion which had a social dimension." But, they also said that Mr.John was incapable of inciting communal passions.Communal forces in the State were using his words to "humiliate a community by forcing him out of the Karnataka Council of Ministers by using their pressure tactics on the Chief Minister," they alleged. More tragic was the unabated demand by the BJP leaders for the arrest of Mr.John. "We feel very much hurt, let down and humiliated as a community which has always stood by secular values." The Chief Minister should not have buckled under the illogical pressure of the communal forces and ask Mr.John to resign.

The signatories to the appeal are Mr.John B.Kutinha, former member, KPSC, Mr.D.J.Balaraj, former Development Commissioner, Mr.Valerian Fernandes and Mr.B.V.Pinto (Konkani Catholic Association), Mr.C.J.Rayappa (Chickaballapur), Mr.Daniel Christopher (United Christian Voice), Mr.Joseph Manoharan (Federation of State Christian Organisations and Associations), Mr.B.G.Koshy (All-India United Christian Voice), Mr.C.Clement, Editor Sathya marga, Mr.Vivian Rodrigues (Karnataka Backward Christians Welfare Association), Mr.Paul Lobo, Mr.Sajan K.George (Global Council of Indian Christians), Dr.John Ravi, Mr.Josfred Fernandes (Karnataka Ecumenical Movement) and Mr.Kenny Lopez.

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Section  : Southern States
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