the goan I network
BELAGAVI
The Snanika Arulappar Virakta Mutt of the Jesuit priests at Deshnur, about 30 kms from Belagavi, is once again in the news, with the head of the Mutt, Fr Menino Gonsalves, receiving threats from radicals for alleged conversions at the Mutt.
Founded about 70 years ago by Goan Jesuits, all religious practices and rituals at the site are performed as per Hindu traditions, which, according to the priests is part of inculturation.
The Mutt was in the news in September 2019 due to a saffron cassock worn by Bishop of Belgaum Derek Fernandes.
According to Fr Gonsalves, popularly known as Swami Menino, a right-wing activist Rishikumar Bhagirath Kali Swami had called him on his mobile and said he wanted to visit the Mutt and check the activities there.
Kali Swami had alleged that priests in the Mutt are engaged in conversions in the guise of inculturation. He had also threatened that a team of Bajrang Dal activists from the neighbourhood would stage a morcha to the Mutt, fearing which Fr Gonsalves sought police protection.
On Friday, police prevented some activists who were heading towards the Mutt and police protection was provided to the Jesuit Mutt.
Superintendent of Police Laxman Nimbargi told The Goan that there was no complaint registered in this regard.
“Fr Gonsalves has only sought police protection and there was no complaint registered. However, I have directed Nesargi PI to provide sufficient protection to the Mutt,” said SP Nimbargi, adding that he is personally monitoring the situation to avoid any ethnic clashes.
Meanwhile, Fr Gonsalves said priests at the Mutt are engaged in the upliftment of the villagers in the area.
“Deshnur doesn’t have a single Catholic family despite the presence of Jesuits here since the last 70 years,” he said.
Hindus, Muslims, Lingayats and people of other castes and religions come together to observe all religious services and rituals in the Mutt.
Said Mujaheed Peerzade, an official with the KMF and an alumni of the Jesuit school in the area, said: “Selfless work of the Jesuits began here since the first Jesuit Fr Armando Alvares, who hailed from Aldona-Goa, reached Deshnur sometime in 1948 and worked among the people of the village by adopting their vegetarian lifestyle, culture and language.”
“All his successors have continued these services, due to which all of us are indebted to them,” he added.
