BJP Goa President Damodar Naik and BJP leader Siddharth Kunkolienkar meet Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão to discuss and seek support for the Waqf Amendment Bill.
PANAJI
As the Waqf Amendment Bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday followed by a marathon debate, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Goa reached out to the Church, seeking its support ahead of the Bill's passage.
BJP Goa President Damodar Naik met Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão to discuss the Waqf Bill.
"Held a fruitful and amiable conversation with Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão and discussed a wide range of topics of mutual interest. He was informed about the Waqf Board Amendment Bill with a request to extend his support," Naik posted on his social media account.
The State BJP has been working to garner support from minority communities. The party's core committee on Tuesday decided to connect with Muslims through block committees creating awareness about the Bill and seeking their support.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant cited the importance of transparency in Waqf property records.
"With the Waqf Amendment, records of Waqf properties will be uploaded on an online portal, and a property will be considered Waqf only after proper verification," Sawant said.
During the meeting between Naik and Cardinal Ferrão, the latter appreciated the government's role in ensuring a smooth and successful Exposition of the Relics of St Francis
Xavier. He also emphasised the need to prioritise education and address community concerns.
"I look up to His Eminence for guidance and working closely for the prosperity of our beloved Goa," Naik added.
