Panaji, July 31 (IANS) Catholics living in Goa can be
called Indian Christians but not Hindu Christians, the Catholic
Association of Goa said Thursday criticizing Deputy Chief Minister
Francis D'Souza's comments.
"We, their heirs (of Hindu ancestors)
are now Christians. We can be surely called 'Indian Christians'. When
one does not know what one is talking about, then it is better to remain
silent. In this way we can at least conceal our ignorance," the
association's spokesperson Brig. (retired) Ian da Costa said in a
statement here.
D'Souza, while defending his cabinet colleague
Deepak Dhavalikar's comments about making India a 'Hindu nation' under
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said: "India is a Hindu country. India is
Hindustan. All Indians in Hindustan are Hindus including me. I am a
Christian Hindu."
D'Souza apologised Monday for his comments
following a national outcry which he triggered, but the association is
unhappy with his apology.
"He has added insult to injury by
saying in his so-called apology that, 'I apologise, if I have hurt some
ones feelings'," said the statement.
"We have all heard of a
mule, a tigon, an anglo Indian and a Mulato, but we have never heard of a
Hindu-Christian. One is either a Hindu or a Christian," Ian da Costa
said.
Catholics account for more than 26 percent of Goa's population.