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Udupi : If they ask for my citizenship documents, I am not able to provide any documents relating to my citizenship, said Margaret Alva, former Governor of Uttarakand and former Union Minister.

Addressing in Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh organized laity “Samudayotsava 2020” at Mount Rosary Church, Santhekatte, Kallianpur near here on Sunday, January 19, Margaret Alva said that I will not provide any documents in relate to NRC, NPR process. This is the country believes in secularism which the constitution of the country has given us rights. Recently, the new Citizenship Registration Act has caused confusion in the country. According to the new citizenship registration act, our grandfather and ancestors were asked to give birth certificates. This Act is not limited to Christians and Muslims, but to all Indians. If they ask me the certificate I would ask them to take records from Arthur Road jail in Mumbai which my ancestors arrested due to freedom struggle, she said.

I was born as an Indian and do not have to prove it again. The Prime Minister of India, Home Minister Amit Shah, who is claiming to prove our citizenship, has yet to find a BA certificate from the Prime Minister .Such illiterate leaders said it was not right to ask the affidavits of poor people who knew nothing of us, she said.

The protests in the country over the issue of National Citizenship Registration have caused concern for the development of the country. There is currently a system of bullying of the Christian community in various ways, though not directly. A direct example of this is the political disgrace in the construction of the Christ statue in Kanakapura. Today, there is no opposition to the construction of statues of everyone in the country. But why the opposition to construction of the Christ statue in Kanakapura, she asks.

We Christian community are peaceful minds. But Christ said that render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s. They have started to create difficulties in the lives of the Christians, she said.

She said there is no direction to good economy in the country, universities are closed, banks are going into trouble, the bank looters are out of the country, with the hard money from the citizens’ of the country who built strong Public Sector Companies sold out, where is acche din? Where is 15 lac which supposed to deposit in our account? There is absolutely national battle for survival presently, she said.

There was Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite hymn ‘Abide with me’ which very much popular. Unfortunately, this favourite hymn of Mahatma Gandhiji replace Abide with me with Vande Matharam. It would be need to sing this hymn on January 26 in every church choir and public choir all over the country which will be fitting answer from the people. Today, RSS cadres are visiting doors of our houses wearing police uniforms and killing innocent minorities, she said.

Earlier the guests were warmly received by the leaders of laity with Mount Rosary School brass band and other bands to the dais of the convention. Most Rev Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo Bishop of Udupi diocese inaugurated the convention in different way by lighting lights on the banana tree. Addressing in his inaugural address, Bishop said that the democratic roots are weakening for a number of reasons. The economy of the country day by day worsening, farmers suicide cases increased, no safety fo the minorities, Unemployment is rising and the price of goods is rising in the country. As a community, we are third in the majority in our district. We are losing our power or our rights because of our hesitant nature, he said.

During the occasion, the book written by Edward Larsen D’souza “Our Constitution and Rights” Konkanni book and Dr Gerald Pinto written “Catholic Sabha History” were released by guests on the dais. Both authors were felicitated on the occasion.

In the morning session, J R Lobo former MLA and former KAS official spoke on the present situation of Christian community and future position of the community. Retd KAS official Anthony Mendonca, Advocate and Director of Sandesha of Mangaluru on legal matters in relate to our rights and Senior journalist Gabrial Vas on role of Christians in the media were spoken and Dr Vincent Alva Principal of Milagres College was the moderator of the this session.

Model Bank, Mumbai Managing Director Albert D’Souza, AICU Secretary Janet D’Souza, AICU President Assisi Gonsalves, Catholic Sabha Mangalauru Pradesh President Rolfy D’Costa, Entrepreneur John D’Silva, Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh Spiritual Director Rev Fr. Ferdinand Gonsalves, Mount Rosary Church parish priest Rev Fr. Dr.  Leslie Clifford D’Souza, Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh General Secretary and president of Catholic Sabha Kallianpur Deanery Santhosh Cornelio, Treasurer Jerald Rodrigues, Robert Menezes and Valerian Fernandes, Samudayotsava Convener Kiran Elroy Crasto, Deanery Presidents Ronald D’almeida, Eric and Ida Cornelio, Catholic Sabha Mount Rosary unit president Elias D’Souza and other were present on the dais.

Earlier Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh Alwyn Quadros welcomed the gathering and Mary D’Souza proposed vote of thanks.

Afternoon session also started at after the lunch.