the goan I network
MAPUSA
Stating that everybody has right to express an opinion in a democratic country, Health Minister, Vishwajit Rane on Monday said the views of the Archbishop of Goa have to be respected.
“Everybody has a right to give his own views. This is a democratic country and it is up to every religious head. He (Archbishop) is a religious head. His views have to be respected. His views are his views...,” Rane said.
The health minister was reacting to the recent statement of Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao who requested the government to desist from implementing the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, (CAA) and the proposed National Population Register (NPR) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the country.
“After all, the Archbishop holds such a high position in the State. He has a right to express his views. Our party has a right to do what it has to do. Ultimately we have to respect each other’s views,” Rane said.
“This is a democratic society. We have to accept and move along,” he added.
On Saturday, Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao for the first time came out openly supporting the protests against the CAA and the proposed NPR and NRC and appealed to the government to desist from going ahead with it.
The Archbishop in an official statement had appealed to the government to listen to the voice of millions in India, to stop quashing the right to dissent and to immediately and unconditionally revoke the CAA and desist from implementing the NPR and NRC.
Referring to the
Archbishop’s statement, Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho on Sunday said it was wrong to make statements which can create a communal divide.
Reacting to Godinho’s statement against the Archbishop, Waste Management Minister, Michael Lobo said politicians had no right to speak against the church or on the message of the Archbishop.
Lobo said religious heads have a right to guide their faithful and politicians should avoid commenting on views expressed by religious heads.
