LRO moves ECI against Gujarat Archbishop for making religious appeal to voters

The LRO maintained that the Archbishop of Gujarat by making such a religious appeal to the voters and levelling unsubstantiated allegations against the ‘nationalist forcess’ has violated the RP Act 1951.

In a complaint to the Election Commission of India the LRO Convener stated that the Catholic Archbishop of Gandhinagar Thomas Macwan has issued a statement on November 21, 2017 appealing the voters to vote against the ‘nationalist parties’.

The Archbishop stated in an official communique dated Nov 21 that Gujarat elections are significant and have their repercussion and reverberations throughout our beloved nation and appealed to the Christians to pray for the victory of ‘humane leaders’ who ‘remain faithful to the Indian Constitution’ to ‘save India from nationalist forces’.

“We are aware that the secular and democratic fabric of our country is at stake. Human Rights are being violated. The constitutional rights are being trampled. Not a single day goes without an attack on our churches, faithful or institutions. There is a growing sense of insecurity among the minorities, OBCs, BCs, poor and so on. Nationalist forces are on the verge of taking over the country. The election results of Gujarat State Assembly can make a difference”, the Archbishop said.

The letter urged the churches in Gujarat to hold prayers to seek divine intervention for selection of “humane” candidates. “The Bishops of Gujarat state request you to organise prayer services in your parishes and convents so that people, who would remain faithful to our Indian Constitution and respect every human being without any discrimination, are elected in the Gujarat state Assembly,” it states.

According to the 2011 Census, the total population of Christians in Gujarat is 0.52 per cent. According to Macwan the letter is an appeal to all individuals to pray for good leaders.

The Archbishop, the LRO alleged, has tried his best to generate fear among voters and to divide them on the basis of the caste and creed. He is spreading rumours to create clashes betwee the various social groups, the LRO alleged accusing him of making baseless allegations against the nationalist forces.

“The statement of the Catholic leader is highly provocative and objectionable directly aimed at demonizing certain organisations and obliquely appealing the electorate to vote against the ruling BJP.

As a Bishop he is holding a religious position and his prejudiced statement is in violation of the RP Act 1951 and thus call for invoking suitable legal action against him, the LRO complaint said adding that the clergy has failed to provide evicences to substantiate his allegations against the nationalist forces.

LRO Convener Vinay Joshi has appealed to the ECI to initiate immediate action against the Archbishop and thwart his attempts to divide Gujarat voters on the basis of caste, creed and religion. The LRO also urged the ECI to investigate the ‘paid news’ angle in respect of newspaper report based on his letter and take due action against those found guilty.