No bar for religious head for working for his own community

Ranchi, May 6 (UNI) Cardinal Telesphore P Toppo has stated that there was no bar for a religious head working for development of his own community.

Clarifying his stand on the controversy that arose over releasing a tribal manifesto brought out by the Adivasi Adhikar Manch(AAM), a non-government organisation, by him recently, he said being a tribal and son of the soil he was concerned at the 'pathetic condition of the tribals.

Being a religious head did not cease his right to work for the tribal welfare. "I am the first tribal from Asia who has been elevated to such a position," he said.

" It is my right to express my views if things were not right with my community. I was born as an Adivasi and not a cardinal," he told newspersons here yesterday.

Some organisations, including some political parties, had criticised Cardial Toppo for his reported remarks against some tribal leaders and releasing the manifesto.

State Lok Janashakti Party(LJP) Vice-president Uday Shankar Ojha has stated that the Cardinal should refrain from making statement that was of divisive nature .

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha(JMM) district committee also took strong exception to the charge that termed its supremo Sibu Soren as anti-tribal by the Cardinal.

UNI SCS KK/src1134