MAPUSA
Stating that there was no religious conversion taking place in the State, Leader of Opposition, Michael Lobo on Monday said that CM Pramod Sawant’s recent statement on conversion was “divisive” and an attempt to polarize the people of Goa.
Lobo also said that the CM was possibly under some pressure and therefore trying to please his “bosses” by making the statement which was “unnecessary” and “unwarranted”.
“In Goa such a thing (conversion) has never happened and will never happen. He is trying to polarize the people of Goa. But people of Goa will never get polarized. As the CM of the State this is not the right thing he has done. He has sent a wrong signal not only in Goa but across the nation and all over the world,” Lobo said.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had recently said that religious conversion was on the rise in the State and the government will never allow such conversions to take place.
Without naming any religious denominations, Sawant said various people were trying to take advantage of circumstances to target members of marginalized communities and the poor.
Lobo said it was surprising that the CM had to resort to such statements when the BJP were comfortable with the numbers and also formed the government.
“There is no conversion happening in Goa. Let him show if there is any conversion happening in any church. We are ready to come and see. He (CM) has fired in the air, possibly to please his bosses,” he said.
He further said Goa was known for its communal harmony where Catholics, Hindus and Muslims live together in perfect harmony where each one visits each other’s homes during the festivals of Ganesh, Christmas or Id.
“There is harmony among us Goans. We are all inclusive. We have to think about this and we have to preserve this (harmony),” he said.
He said the CM's statement has given a negative message to all the people in the State across communities, creed and caste.
“It is a wrong statement. He has disturbed the people of Goa,” Lobo said. He said that such divisive politics will never work in the state of Goa.
