MARGAO
BJP leaders from Salcete, former MLA Clafacio Dias and BJP ST leader Anthony Barbosa have welcomed the statement made by Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao to all the people to respect each other’s religions.
Addressing the media on Sunday, the duo said Goa has a long history of amity and brotherhood amongst members of different religious communities over the years. Unfortunately, they said that statements made by certain religious leaders as well as citizens from different faiths had vitiated the peaceful atmosphere in the state in recent months.
“The message conveyed by Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao that people are free to practice their own religion is welcome. No one has the right to say this religion is good or bad. The people have the right to practice their own religion” , Clafacio said.
Clafacio further said that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has acted tough in the Sancoale incident when some persons installed a religious idol at the site, saying the Verna police was quick to register a FIR against the accused persons.
ST leader Anthony Barbosa complimented Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao for having issued the message, saying it has come at the right time.
Barbosa said he has full confidence that the government headed by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant will mete out justice to all the religious communities in the state and also provide safety and security to the people belonging to different faiths.
