Archbishop of Bangalore calls for Day of Prayer and Fasting for peace, harmony in Country
Urges citizens to fast and pray on March 22 over various socio-political issues plaguing country
Bangalore: Most Rev. Peter Machado, the Archbishop of Bangalore and the President of the Karnataka Regional Bishops' Conference, along with being the Chairman of the All Karnataka United Christian Forum for Human Rights, issued a press release urging citizens to observe Friday, 22nd March 2024 as a Day of Prayer and Fasting for peace and harmony in India.
Expressing concerns over various socio-political issues plaguing the country, Archbishop Peter Machado highlighted the increasing impoverishment of the masses, the growing monopoly of crony capitalists, and the widening gap between the rich and the poor. He also noted the worsening unemployment among educated youth, large-scale migration of the rural poor, and the proliferation of hate speeches.
The press release emphasized the systematic erosion of fundamental rights, including the right to citizenship, as well as the dilution of minority rights. Archbishop Machado condemned the frequent bulldozing of homes, shops, and places of worship belonging to minorities, along with the harassment faced by individuals serving in orphanages, hostels, and educational institutions.
Furthermore, Archbishop Machado lamented the state of politics in India, which he described as being afflicted by populism, polarization, post-truth, and personality cults. He voiced concerns over the weakening of democratic institutions, the undermining of the federal structure, and the co-opting of the media by dominant forces.
In response to this distressing situation, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) called for a Day of Prayer and Fasting on 22nd March 2024. The Archbishop urged citizens to engage in prayer, fasting, and recitation of a special prayer prepared by the CBCI. He also emphasized the importance of participating in a Rosary campaign organized in every parish and apostolic institution.
Archbishop Machado appealed to political leaders to uphold the basic structure of the Constitution and urged citizens to exercise their voting rights responsibly in the forthcoming Parliamentary Elections. He underscored the importance of choosing leaders committed to constitutional values and the upliftment of the poor.
Additionally, Archbishop Machado reiterated demands for the official recognition of Scheduled Caste status for Dalit Christians and the protection of rights for other discriminated minorities. He called upon the government to refrain from any attempts to deprive Christian tribals of their Scheduled Tribe status.
Archbishop Peter Machado urged all citizens, as loyal and concerned citizens of India, to unite in prayer and fasting on 22nd March 2024, seeking divine intervention for the welfare of the country and its leaders. He prayed for the emergence of leaders who are secular, non-communal, non-corrupt, and dedicated to democratic principles, regardless of caste, creed, class, culture, color, or community.
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Man arrested with Rs 2.54-crore heroin in Mumbai
Mumbai (PTI): Police have arrested a man and seized over 500 grams of heroin worth Rs 2.54 crore in the illicit market from him in Mumbai, officials said on Friday.
The police's Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) made the drug seizure in Santacruz in the western suburbs. The operation was conducted by the Kandivali unit of the ANC on Thursday as part of a special crackdown against drug trafficking in the area, they said.
Acting on specific inputs, an ANC team conducted a raid in Santacruz (East) and intercepted a man. During a search, the team recovered 508 grams of high-grade heroin from his possession, an official said.
The seized contraband, a highly addictive, opioid drug derived from morphine, is estimated to be worth Rs 2.54 crore in the international market, he informed.
Following the seizure, a case was registered against the man under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and he was formally placed under arrest in the early hours of Friday.
The police are currently investigating the source of the drug and trying to identify the intended recipients of the consignment, he said.
