the goan I network
PANAJI
Coming down heavily on defections and pseudo-nationalism, the Council for Social Justice and Peace (CSJP), the Social Work wing of the Archdiocese of Goa, has made it clear that defectors who deceive and betray people’s trust should have no scope in democracy.
While appealing to voters to reject the terror of pseudo-nationalism, the CSJP has also urged them to give corrupt defectors and opportunists the due electoral response.
In its advisory to the Catholic community, generally issued ahead of Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, the CSJP did not name any political party, but minced no words in describing the political state of affairs in Goa, which will conduct elections for the 2 Lok Sabha seats and assembly by-elections on April 23, and across the country.
“In Goa, with the intention of checking corruption, the electorate chose new faces without examining the ideology and history of political parties.”
“One may argue that a candidate is nice but ultimately he/she is bound by the so called party discipline and the ‘party whip’ when it comes to voting on critical issues.”
“Thereby, well-intentioned politicians with noble convictions, on being elected, can become mere puppets to be used as toys in the hands of manipulative forces. Let us therefore resolve not to perpetuate these socio-political contradictions and be appeased by symbolic gestures.”
“Another evil is the blatant engineering of defections in violation of the people’s mandate. Moreover, persons who deceive and betray people’s trust should have no scope in democracy,” stated the CSJP.
The CSJP urged citizens not to waste the God given opportunity to vote judiciously in order to preserve their freedom and the secular values enshrined in the Constitution.
While also appealing to them to “reject the terror of pseudo-nationalism”, the CSJP added: “Let us also give corrupt defectors and opportunists the due electoral response. Let us not be carried away by petty and trivial issues but think of the overall interest of the nation and of our State.”
In its advisory, the CSJP described the elections as an opportunity for people to elect a Government that will preserve constitutional values, importantly secularism and
democracy.
“All that is needed to overturn the values and principles of our Constitution is the support of a requisite number of Members of Parliament and State Legislators.
The vote of every citizen is therefore very precious; upon it hangs the future of our nation.”
The CSJP stated that a responsible approach would be to reflect on whether the basic principles of tolerance, inclusiveness, justice, transparency and accountability are seen in public life.
“Whether, the basic tenets of a healthy democracy which are freedom of expression, autonomy of institutions and the right to information have been given due respect in policies and programs and, most of all, in day to day governance; whether, tolerance and civility in public discourse, which are vital for fostering peace in
