'Voting is sacred duty'

Hameed Ashraf | NT

Bengaluru: The voting process is an enormous undertaking, by far the largest democratic election in the world, and yet, voting is often the only chance that many of India's marginalised groups get to express themselves.

In Bengaluru, campaigns began as early as March 22 after Archbishop of Bengaluru Reverend Peter Machado called on Christians to observe a day of fasting and prayer to ensure that democratic traditions of the country are preserved by the elected candidates.

He advised people to choose leaders who are secular, non-communal, non-corrupt, and committed to democratic traditions.

News Trail spoke to various priests from churches and religious centers under the Archdiocese, Bengaluru, who are making efforts to ensure that every vote is cast.

In conversation with NT, Archbishop Machado highlighted poverty, crony capitalism, unemployment, hate speeches, violations of fundamental rights, erosion of pluralistic and secular ethos, dilution of minority rights, and “bulldozing of homes, shops, and places of worship of minorities on flimsy accusations” as some of the rising concerns in India. 

As a strong advocate of human rights and social justice, Machado urges the faithful to scrutinize the qualifications of candidates and elect those who reflect fairness and equality.

“Not casting your vote is a sin,” he said.

In February, before the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) was placed in Bengaluru, Father Adrian FC Mascarenhas, Rector at Bhakti Bhavan in Cooke Town, began advising youth and their parents who visit the seminary to enroll and obtain their voter ID cards.

He also educated them on how voting allows them to have a voice in decisions that affect their lives.

"Voting is a right and duty of every citizen. It is time that the youth and the people know which candidate is seeking votes on what basis. The 2024 elections are very crucial, as the results of these polls will decide the country's fate for the next five years,” he said.

Several churches and religious centers across Karnataka have raised awareness about the importance of voting, especially among the youth.

They have also equipped themselves with technology to register people who do not have voter ID cards.

Karnataka state will vote on April 26 and May 7 in the national election, which is divided into seven phases during April, May, and June.

Fr Viven John Monis, from St Joseph Church in Lingarajpuram, expressed surprise to find that several people, including women and youth, did not know the candidates from their constituencies.

“We had conducted campaigns to enroll eligible voters and almost 300 people got registered here, most of them were women,” he said.

John Monis added that the elected representatives should visit their constituencies more often so that the people does not feel ignored.

Fr Cyril Victor Joseph from Paalanaa Bhavana said, “On March 22, we organised a special prayer for the protection of our constitution and our fundamental and minority rights. In the last decade, the Christian community in India has been through a lot of pain due to the atrocities and discrimination against them, which was politically motivated.”

Fr Arun Luis SJ, the Director of Social Works at Ashirvad, noticed enthusiasm in first-time voters in the Christian community.

"Maybe people have slowly realized, thanks to the media, the importance of voting," he said.