Thiruvananthapuram: "When political leadership neglects certain communities to appease vote banks, social equality disappears," said Archbishop of Changanassery, Mar Thomas Tharayil. He emphasized that without equality, there can be no democracy. He made these remarks while inaugurating and addressing the concluding session of the Rights Protection March, which began from Panathur in Kasaragod, organized by the Catholic Congress Global Committee, in front of the Secretariat.
He stated that authorities must ensure that minority rights are not violated. Despite receiving the J.B. Koshi Commission report years ago, no action has been taken for its implementation. The recommendations of the report must be fully implemented. He also noted that, as elections approach, any announcements concerning this are often made merely to appease the community. In the education sector, appointments of 17,000 people have been blocked under the guise of reservations for differently-abled individuals.
"This has become a setback for the expectations of a large section of the community and also contributes to the decline of the public education sector. It is hoped that the government will fulfill its promise to resolve this issue. The government should be prepared to address problems without dragging them into courts or lengthy administrative procedures. Efforts from authorities that disturb the peaceful atmosphere in schools are unacceptable. There is also the irony that those who initially announced measures like gender neutral uniforms later demand permission for religious symbols," Mar Tharayil added.
Speaking at the concluding session, Bishop Legate Mar Remigiose Inchananiyil of the Catholic Congress Global Committee called for action to resolve the difficulties in the agricultural sector. He noted that the march aims to bring the issues faced by farmers and the wider community to public attention and make the authorities aware.
Other speakers included Dr. . Mathews Mor Silvanus Episcopa, Bishop of Believers Church Thiruvananthapuram, Rev. Dr. Mohan Manuel, Chairman of Evangelical Lutheran Church Thiruvananthapuram, Rev. Dr. Selvadass Pramod, Chairman of Bible Faith Mission Thiruvananthapuram, Lef. Prakash Chandra Pradhan, Territorial Commander of the Salvation Army, Rev. Dr. Robinson David, Chairman of India Lutheran Church, Mon. Dr. John Thekkekara, Vicar General of Changanassery Archdiocese, Mon. Anthony Ethaykkattu, Proto-Syncellus of Changanassery Archdiocese, Rev. Dr. Savi Yo Manaatt, Director of Catholic Congress Changanassery Archdiocese, V.V. Augustine, Adv. Biju Parayannilam, Treesa Lis Sebastian, Rajesh John, Adv. Tony Punchakkunnel, Dr. K.M. Francis, George Koayikan, Dr. Jacob Nicholas, Binu Dominic, Biju Sebastian, and Benny Antony.