The Hindu (Kozhikode)

Vote to protect Constituti­onal ideals: Latin Catholic council

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The Kerala Region Latin Catholic Council (KRLCC) has called on voters to choose political parties that will protect the ideals of equality, liberty, and fraternity.

A statement issued against the backdrop of the Lok Sabha polls by the KRLCC here on Thursday also called for a socio-economic and caste census.

Voters should ensure that they use their franchise to ensure that the Constituti­onal ideals of equality, liberty, and fraternity are protected, said the statement issued after deliberati­ons at various levels of the Latin Catholic community.

India’s secular ideals are constantly being questioned. The use of democratic institutio­ns to suit political purposes generates serious concerns about the weakening of the democratic process. It is unjust that rules are being framed in a way to discrimina­te between religious groups, and anti-minority sentiments are gaining strength, especially in north Indian States, said the KRLCC.

‘Spreading misinfo’

KRLCC o„cial spokesman Joseph Jude said in a statement that there is an attempt to spread misinforma­tion that the Latin Catholic community is working in support of Bharatiya Janata Party. These news items spread misinforma­tion and plant seeds of misunderst­anding in society, said Mr. Joseph.

The disinforma­tion is being spread allegedly as an interpreta­tion of an article that appeared in Jeevadeept­hi, o„cial publicatio­n of the Varappuzha archdioces­e. The opinion is fully that of the writer and not the o„cial stand of the Church, said Mr. Joseph.

It is imperative that a political stand must be taken to protect democratic values and secularism.

‘It is unjust that rules are being framed in a way to discrimina­te between religious groups’

‘Crony capitalism’

The lives of the poor have gotten worse with crony capitalism gaining in strength. National wealth is being cornered by these forces and workers and the weak of society are getting weaker. The Congress has taken a strong stand on the socio-economic and caste census issue and the Left parties too have taken a positive stand. Under these circumstan­ces, the census should be carried out, the statement said.

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