Aiming to appease Catholics, BJP MLA Ashish Shelar has put up this hoarding of the Supreme Pontiff (in wheelchair). This photo is about 100 metres from the hospital where 84-year-old Jesuit priest Stan Swamy died in custody, imprisoned without trial on terror charges.
Meanwhile several residents of Bandra, Catholic and others, have questioned these hoardings being allowed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation without permission. “They are clearly illegal,” said one such resident to Sabrangindia.
Mathew Anthony of the Indian National Congress has been sharp in his criticism.
In a public statement on twitter he has said, “The meeting of the Holy Pope and PM Modi was part of International Diplomatic Courtesy. ….If PM Modi and BJP MLA, Ashish Shelar were so concerned and thoughtful about the Muslim community,
‘Where were you when Christians were persecuted in Manipur?
157 Churches destroyed. More than 70,000 persons relocated. Where were you?
Father Stan Swamy was denied basic daily needs, tortured to death in the jails by implicating him in a false case. Where was your love for Christians, Ashish?
When a Christian Principal was tortured in Pune by RW fundamentalists, where were you?
When a Nun’s habit was removed by RW extremists in Assam, she was was made to walk by forcing her out of the bus. She and the religion were insulted. Where were you?…..
Your love towards Christians is empty, hollow and opportunistic, only to secure the votes of your large constituency in Bandra West.”
The meeting of the Holy pope & PM Modi was a part of the International Diplomatic Courtesy.
Iam calling out the shamelessness in @ShelarAshish to be an opportunist to take this picture & put across in Bandra West Constituency.
If PM Modi , BJP & Ashish were so concerned &… pic.twitter.com/c0TNVB0qn9
— मॅथ्यू अँटनी|Mathew Antony|മാത്യു ആന്റണി (@mathewmantony) June 17, 2024
Many Christians have spoken. Now the results of the Assembly polls come October 2024 will tell. Whether Ashish Shelar’s attempts have been in vain.
Related:
Not an inch of our cemetery land, Mumbai Christians protest BMC demolition notice
Christians not being allowed burials, forced to cremate in Mumbai?
Policing & Profiling Citizens: Using Aadhar data to create an NPR, profiling Christians?