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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Blanket ban on online real money gaming will kill jobs, revenue, innovation: Minister Priyank Kharge
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka IT and Biotechnology Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday criticised the Centre's decision to impose a blanket ban on online real money gaming (RMG), calling it "another masterstroke by Modi Sarkar in bad policy making."
Kharge, son of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, said the decision would hit state revenues, jobs and investments.
"India earns Rs 20,000 crore annually from GST and income tax via online RMG. The ban means states lose this revenue stream," he said in a post on 'X'.
The minister noted that over 2,000 gaming startups and more than two lakh jobs in IT, AI and design would be at risk.
"A ban kills India's gaming talent pool and pushes entrepreneurs abroad," Kharge said, adding that Rs 23,000 crore of foreign direct investment in the last five years could dry up and about Rs 7,000 crore spent annually on ads, data centres, sponsorships and cyber security would vanish overnight.
Warning of unintended consequences, the minister said, "Bans don't stop addiction or suicides. Instead, they push users to unregulated offshore platforms worth Rs 8.2 lakh crore annually where government has no control at all.
"Security risks: Unregulated sites ensure money laundering, terror financing, data theft. Even FATF and Rashtriya Raksha University warn against such risks."
Noting that the Supreme Court is still deciding whether the Centre or states have the power to regulate, Kharge questioned "Why the rush to ban now?"
He said prohibition is not the solution and called for regulating skill-based platforms, enforcing IT Rules, 2021, and whitelisting legitimate operators.
"A well-balanced regulation will ensure jobs, revenue, safer users, national security and global innovation," he said, cautioning that "a blanket ban will not only lead to revenue loss, but will give rise to illegal markets that might threaten national security and, of course, there will be a huge innovation setback. Regulation is the way forward."
The proposed promotion and regulation of online gaming bill, cleared by the Union Cabinet on Tuesday, prohibits online money gaming or its ads, and prescribes imprisonment or fine, or both, for those offering or advertising them, as it seeks to differentiate such games from eSports or online social games, according to a source.
At the same time, the bill calls for promotion of eSports and online social games, the source said, adding that it acknowledges that formal recognition of eSports will enable India to tune into global competitive gaming landscape, spur innovation, create opportunities for Indian startup ecosystem and make the country a global magnate for game development.
The bill proposes that any person offering online money gaming service in violation of the stipulated provisions will face imprisonment of up to three years or a fine that may extend to Rs 1 crore, or both.
The provisions also stipulate imprisonment of up to two years and or a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh, or both, for those indulging in advertisements in contravention of rules. Also, those engaging in any transaction or authorisation of funds will be liable for up to three years imprisonment, or a fine up to Rs 1 crore or both, according to the source.
