Justice Michael F Saldanha on Framing of Joseph Dias and Targeting India's Christian Secular Forum

The intention is clear, prima facie to dissuade Joseph Dias from staking his claim, by what appear to be blackmailing or extortionary tactics at best.

Justice Michael Saldanha

(MUMBAI, India) - This is to draw your attention to the fact that a malicious smear campaign is being carried on to defame Joseph Dias by vested political and communal interests.

Joseph Dias

As you are aware, Joseph Dias and the Catholic Secular Forum (CSF) has been championing the cause of minority and human rights throughout the country. It is a matter of record therefore that over 100 very eminent persons, including parliament, Legislators, Padmashrees, Social Activists, Civil Society, Christian NGOs, Archbishops, Clergy, etc. have recommended Joseph Dias for the Vice – Chairmanship of the Maharashtra Minorities Commission.

It will soon be two years that no person has been appointed by the Government of Maharashtra to this and other statutory bodies like the human rights or women’s commission. This has resulted in much in fighting among the various claimants to these vacant posts.

I am aware of and have studied in particular the case of the Maharashtra Minorities Commission where various aspirants seem to be in a conspiracy to jeopardize Joseph Dias chances. Hence, baseless complaints have been filed against him, which is clear from the records available, as also the parsons behind it.

In the case of Joseph Dias, the role of the police is highly suspect in not just registering false complaints, but also harassing the family and trustees of The CSF. In my opinion no case can be made out against him or the trustees and vested interests are out to frame Joseph Dias in multiple cases and defame him by publishing the news in the media.

I therefore urge the Chief Minister and Home Minister of Maharashtra to put an end to this witchhunting by directing the Superintendents of Police of Thane Rural, Jalgaon, Nashik districts to dismiss these false complaints immediately. As Chairman of the Karnataka state chapter of Transparency International, I would also appeal to various human rights NGOs, to take up this issue of abuse of power, political pressure, dereliction of duty, police atrocity, vexation complaints with the assistance of some police officers, as it is affecting the yeoman service rendered by Joseph Dias and the performance of The CSF is hampered.

Urgent and serious matters are left unattended and frivolous issues such as these are being taken up, which is indeed surprising. The intention is clear, prima facie to dissuade Joseph Dias from staking his claim, by what appear to be blackmailing or extortionary tactics at best. And at worst by assassinating his character and reputation, which one can not remain silent about.

May I therefore urge you to support Joseph Dias and The CSF in exposing those behind this defamation campaign, especially since for the last over 30 years, that Joseph Dias has been in public life and community service, with not as much as ever a single NC filed against him Rather he has spiritedly taken on communal and vested interests, who seem to be now out to get him

Thanking you, with regards
Yours Sincerely

(Justice Michael F. Saldanha)