Goa has ‘unofficial’ ban on beef: Church
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 27 January 2017 00:18 IST
The Church has alleged that Goa’s BJP government has ‘unofficially’ banned beef in Goa.
This was revealed by Fr Maverick Fernandes, President of Council for Social Justice and Peace, in an interview to Goa365 TV channel – Straightforward.
Sandesh Prabhudesai, Consulting Editor of Goa365, sought to know from Fr Maverick what the Church meant in its election guidelines, which stated as follows:
“The terror unleashed by the State and non-State actors to silence dissent or diverse opinions about governance by labelling them as anti-national or unpatriotic cannot be ignored by Responsible Citizens.”
While explaining what the Church meant by non-state actors, he gave an example of beef ban, which does not exist in Goa.
“But on the other hand, the government has not allowed the cow slaughter, at the insistence of a non-government organisation. This amounts to unofficial beef ban”, he said.
The guidelines issued by the Church also criticise two policies of the existing BJP governments – the Investment Promotion Board set up by the Goa government and demonetisation and digital transaction policy of the central government.
“The Investment Promotion Board is unconstitutional and it must be scrapped”, he said.
Replying to the related question, Fr Maverick also said the voter should vote for those who promise scrapping of the IPB.
“On one hand, they are moving towards approving the Regional Plan 2021 and on the other hand they are approving all kind of projects through the IPB”, he observed.
Fr Maverick however said the Church won’t canvass for or against any particular party though it would definitely tell the principles based on which the voter should vote.
It was pointed out at this moment that one priest was openly canvassing in the Church to vote for Babush and Jennifer Monseratte in Panaji and Taleigao respectively.
“It has come to our notice. That is not official and it is a mistake on the part of that priest”, he said.
At this moment, he said the people should not listen to those priests who canvass for any particular candidate or a party.
He also spoke on defence minister Manohar Parrikar coining a new word ‘attempt of scam’ to justify BJP’s action to give ticket to former Congressman Mauvin Godinho, whose power rebate scam Parrikar had exposed.
Fr Maverick also explained what the Church meant when it cautioned the voters not to vote for new political parties, which whip up sentiments on less important issues while not addressing the core issues.
KINDLY CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW
Church election 2017
CONGRESS should EXIT GOA respectfully by not contesting election rather than contesting election and Exiting Goa in an INSULTING manner by getting Zero Seat! Who will vote Congress? Only those who got 10 Lakh Rupees from the Looted 35 Thousand Corers Rupees!
These religious personalities should refrain from commenting on politics. Involvement of religion into politics kills very spirit of democracy. They should concentrate on irregularities and sexual violence happening in Churches.