Bangalore, 19 Oct 2014: A delegation of Christian leaders met Karnataka Chief Minister Sri Siddharamaiah and conveyed their gratitude to him on behalf of entire Christian community for the bold decision taken by the state cabinet to reject the Somshekar Inquiry Commission report into the infamous series of church attacks. The delegation also welcomed the decision of the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah directing the Home department to order a fresh inquiry based on the recommendations of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The delegation which met the Chief Minister at his residence conveyed its gratitude to the Chief Minister for his bold decision to reject the report.
The delegation also extended an invitation to the Chief Minister to attend the main d ceremony of canonisation of Blessed Fr Joseph Vaz scheduled to be held in the holy place of Mudipu for three days from January 14, 2015. Sri Ronald Colaco, Chairman of International Federation of Karnataka Christian Associations (IFKCA) who led the delegation also urged Chief Minister to convert Karnataka Christian Development Committee into Karnataka Christian Development Board.
The delegation comprised health and family welfare minister U T Khader, Mangalore south MLA J R Lobo who was the first one to raise voice in the assembly against the report, IFKCA chairman Ronald Colaco, Mangalore city lawyer M P Noronha, who represented Christian community in Inquiry Commission report, Fr Gregory D’Souza, IFKCA secretary Michael Baptist, IFKCA state convenor Denis D’Silva, IFKCA Udupi unit president Prashanth Jathanna, IFKCA Balehonnur convener Joseph Lobo, IFKCA Bangarpet convenor K Stanley, Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat member Melvyn D’Souza Neermarga, Catholic leaders Roshan D’Souza, Lancy Rodrigues, Ashok D’Souza, Michael D’Souza, Alwyn D’Souza and Marcel D’Souza were part of the delegation that met the Chief Minister.