Archbishop asked to explain letter seeking prayer for election

Mangalore Today News Network

Vadodara, Nov 27, 2017 : Gujarat Election Commission on Nov. 25 served a notice to Archbishop Thomas Macwan of Gandhinagar asking him to explain his letter asking Catholics to pray to elect leaders who will “remain faithful to the Indian Constitution” so that the country can be “saved of nationalist forces”.

 

The notice, served through the District Election Officer of Gandhinagar, asked the Archbishop Macwan to explain why his appeal should not be viewed as a violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

Officials said the action was taken on a complaint received by the Election Commission of India (EC) from an organization, Legal Rights Observatory.

It sought “immediate action” against the Archbishop, as his public letter dated November 21 was an attempt to “generate fear” among voters to “divide people on the basis of caste and creed”.

Gandhinagar District Election Officer Satish Patel said that on EC’s order for inquiry, a notice was served on Archbishop Macwan.  Archbishop Macwan said, “The letter has only been sent to the Christian community to pray. We can always pray for good humans to be elected as leaders. It has not been issued with any malicious intention to harm anyone.”