Bengaluru: Metropolitan Archbishop Bengaluru Peter Machado sniffed hidden agenda of Karnataka government in the ongoing drive against Muslims. The archbishop, who represents the Catholic Church, extended solidarity to Muslims, who are facing persecution, in the state and noted that the Karnataka government is going after the religious minorities.
The Quint quoted Archbishop Machado as saying, “The government is complicating matters by not stopping the fringe groups from harming the Muslims.” He was speaking on the occasion of Good Friday, the day that marks the commemoration of Christ’s crucifixion.
Declaring the minorities as “jewels of the society” the archbishop stressed that the government should take into confidence not just the majority, but also the minorities.” Expressing solidarity with Muslims, the archbishop said “We are all minorities. We are all together in this.”
He expressed fears that efforts to target the minorities could affect Karnataka’s diverse social milieu.
Reacting on the campaign to boycott halal certified products, the archbishop said, “Food is the basic right of every person. No one should dictate what, when or how we should eat.”
He announced that the Catholic church of Karnataka will hold an iftar for the Muslims at the archbishop’s residence on 26 April.
He warned that if it is not nipped in the bud, communal boycott calls on food could extend to other basic necessities. He declared that Christians will not support campaigns that intend to polarise the society.
