the goan I network
MARGAO
Days after his speech directed at the BJP kicked up a storm on the social media before the election authorities ordered an inquiry into the episode, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Snows Church, Raia Fr Conceicao D’Silva has tendered an unconditional apology to the district election authorities on Tuesday.
Accepting Fr D’Silva’s apology, district electoral officer and Returning officer for the South Goa Lok Sabha constituency, Ajit Roy, however, has strongly warned the Priest not to repeat such things in the future. In fact, Roy has advised the Parish Priest to confine himself to priestly duties as per customs and traditions, failing which the election official warned of strict action as per law.
In a statement, the Returning Officer said after his office had received a complaint about an alleged hate speech by the Parish Priest, Additional Collector, South Agnelo Fernandes conducted an inquiry into the matter. “The Parish Priest has admitted that he had made such a statement. However, he regretted it and has tendered his unconditional apology for hurting sentiments of the general public”, Roy said.
“As the Priest has tendered an unconditional apology, the apology is accepted and has been strongly warned not to repeat such things in future and has been advised to confine himself to Priestly duties as per customs and traditions, failing which strict action will be taken as per law”, Roy warned.
The Returning Officer told The Goan that the Priest was approached for a statement after his office received a complaint that he made an inflammatory speech. “During the inquiry, the Priest admitted that he made the statement in a fit of emotion. He has realized that it was a mistake and he has regretted the same and has tendered an unconditional apology to all those who has been hurt by his statement”, Roy told The Goan, adding that the Priest has extended his full cooperation for the smooth and fair conduct of elections.
The Returning Officer took the opportunity to make a plea to all the religious leaders, sects, Priests, community leaders, heads of associations, leaders of political parties, candidates and all the members of general public to refrain from making any hate speech, and or any aggressive statement which has potential to inflame communal or caste feelings and or making any appeal on caste or communal feelings and or using any places of religious worship like mosques, Churches, Temples etc as a forum for election propaganda.
The Returning Officer reminded the public about the detailed guidelines of the Model Code of conduct laid down by the Election Commission of guidance of political parties, candidates and members of general public.
He said the provisions of the model code of conduct inter alia mandates that there shall be no appeal to caste or communal sentiments for securing votes. “Mosques, Churches, Temples or other places of worship shall not be used as forum for election propaganda. That no person shall indulge in any activity which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic groups”,
Roy added.
