By Matters India Reporter

Bengaluru: Several human rights activists, writers, lawyers and others paid their rich tributes to Jesuit Father (Doctor) Ambrose Pinto who died of cancer on Jan 3. He was 67.

He was an illustrious educationist, intellectual, writer, social activist, and promoter of justice and peace.

The funeral mass will be held at St. Joseph’s Boy’s High School, Bengaluru, at 10.30 am on Friday, 5 January, 2018, followed by burial at Mount St. Joseph.

“I met Father Pinto for the first time in my life at Indian Social Institute, Delhi some 18-19 years ago. He possessed a rare combination of wisdom and courage to call ‘spade a spade’. I am sure the Catholic hierarchy would like to remember him that way as he has never minced words while addressing them,” said A C Michael, former member of Delhi Minorities Commission, National Coordinator – United Christian Forum (UCF).

“Pinto was the chief guest and delivered the key note address on the topic: ‘Whether one should dialogue with RSS’ at the first anniversary of UCF in Delhi on 13 February, 2016. When I informed him that the Delhi Police is going to video record his address, he told me ‘Let them… doesn’t matter’” said Michael, National Coordinator of Minority Affairs of All India Catholic Union.

“I join people across the globe paying Fr. Pinto rich tributes. As Prof. Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd puts it: ‘Ambrose was so good to us that he did not tell us that he was suffering with cancer.’ May his words of wisdom percolate down to the masses so that there is never a violation of human rights as was the case during his last days in some parts of our country,” added Michael, Consulting Director of Alliance Defending Freedom.

Fr Pinto had all but defeated cancer. He was a noted political scientist, headed the Indian Social Institute, New Delhi, at the turn of the century, and then was Principal of the St Joseph’s Colleges and St Aloysius in Bangalore till he was struck down. Earlier, he also had a stint at the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, Shimla. He helmed the writing of two People’s Manifestos in the Past.

“I went to see him one last time where we discussed a third Peoples Manifesto if he had the energy. Will miss his wise counsel, his anger at injustice, and his passion,” said John Dayal, a senior Catholic Journalist and human rights activist.

“So sad to hear Fr Pinto is no more. A person very committed and dedicated for the cause of humanity. India lost a great son. His brilliance and commitment are widely known. I still remember once incident. I went to Manipur to address the Legal fraternity including judges, magistrates and law students in Manipur High Court, on Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. The book I wrote on this law is in English. A lawyer said, ‘This should be translated into local language. Who can do that?” Suddenly a judge of the High Court said, “Give this to Fr. Ambrose Pinto, he will do it.’ I was so surprised to hear that. It simply shows his commitment. May His Soul Rest in Peace,” said advocate Lansinglu Rongmei from Manipur, presently working in Delhi.

“Quite saddened at the demise of Fr. Pinto. Really, he was quite rare person, whose heart for religious minorities, Dalit and adivasi would always be remembered. I have had several interfaces, came out inspired and encouraged. It is really huge loss for the Church in India; cannot think we have any other person could fit into his shoes. I was edified with his lucid write up on the issues of Dalit especially the article written by him in Economic and Political Weekly how M K Gandhi and B. R Ambedkar duel on it. His contributions remain unparalleled and unmatched in articulating the plights of the marginalized communities. It is really mourning and sure his write up, thoughts and presence would live with us. Sure, he lives with us forever,” said Father Ajaya Kumar Singh, a noted social worker and human rights activist.

“Fr Pinto was a brave warrior for human rights and fearless critic of Hindutva,” said Catholic journalist and author Anto Akkara.

Fr Pinto was teacher in St. Aloysius School, Mangalore (1981 to 1982), St. Joseph’s Boy’s High School, Bangalore (1982 to 1984). He obtained his doctorate in June 1992 from Mangalore University in Political Theory. Later he was lecturer in Political Science in St. Joseph’s College, Bangalore (1985 to 1994) followed by Principal of St. Joseph’s Evening College, Bangalore (1994 to 1998). He was the Executive Director, Indian Social Institute, New Delhi (1998 to 2001). Principal at St. Joseph’s Evening College, Bangalore (2001 to 2003), St. Joseph’s College, Bangalore, (2003 to 2011), Fellow, Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla, (2011 to 2012), Director, St. Joseph’s Evening College, Bangalore (2012 to 2013) and principal at St. Aloysius Degree College, Bangalore since 2013.

His research and consultancy experience included: Dalit Christians in Karnataka: A Socio-economic Study, Ashirvad, Bangalore, Evaluation of Minority Welfare Corporation Funding of the Ministry of Minority Affairs of the Government of India in 2000 offered to Indian Social Institute, New Delhi while as Director, Changing Identity of the Dalits in Karnataka – a major project from the University Grants Commission 2007 to 2010, Doddigunta Slum Survey with Grant from Indo-Global Social Service Society, New Delhi, 2014, Fellow, Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, Shimla, 2011 to 2012, Editor of Social Action, a Quarterly journal from the Indian Social Institute, New Delhi, from 1998-2001, in the Editorial Board of “Combat Law” published from Delhi from 2002 to 2005, in the Editorial Board of `Integral Liberation’ from 2002 to 2014, member of the Editorial Board of “The Fourth World – Journal of the Marginalised People” – Orissa from 2002 -2008.

His books published were: “Dalit Christians in Karnataka: A Socio-economic Study”, Centre for Non-Formal & Continuing Education, Bangalore, 1993, Higher Education, Politics and Ideology, Books for change, 2004, Bangalore, Dalits in Karnataka: In search of identity and equality, Manak Publications, New Delhi, 2014, Five Years of Saffron Rule in Karnataka, Manak Publications, New Delhi, 2015.

His books edited were Perspective in Jesuit Higher Education, Indian Social Institute, Bangalore, 1996, Dr. Pinto Ambrose and Aundhuti Roy Choudhury, “Nuclearization of India: Myths, Beliefs and Facts”, Indian Social Institute, New Delhi, 1998, State, Development & Alternatives, Indian Social Institute, New Delhi, 1999, Dalits: Assertion for Identity, Indian Social Institute, New Delhi, 1999, Vox Populi 1999: Analysis of Parliamentary elections, Indian Social Institute, New Delhi, 2000, Dr. Ambrose Pinto and Somen Chakraborty “Relevance of Communist Manifesto”, Indian Social Institute, New Delhi, 2000, Indian Reality: Debt and Development, Indian Social Institute, New Delhi, 2000, Resisting the Status Quo: Transforming Society, Indian Social Institute, New Delhi, 2000, Dr. Ambrose Pinto and Dr. Helmut Reifeld “Women in Panchayati Raj”, Indian Social Institute, New Delhi, 2001, Autonomy: a Review – Proceedings of a Seminar, St. Joseph’s College, Bangalore, 2008, From Religion to Faith – Reflection on multi-religious experiences, Asian Trading Corporation, Bangalore 2010 with Dr. Etienne Rassendran, Beyond Politics, Gyan Publishers, New Delhi, 2016;

During his long-span of life, he had presented 60 papers, 110, articles published, 85 write ups in newspapers, resource person in 100 meets and attended 12 international seminars.

Some of the awards are Karnataka Rajyostava Award (2010), Garden City Award for Best Principal (2010) and Journalistic Award for the best coverage for SC/ST concerns by CBCI (2009).

He also a consultant to the Karnataka Government as part of Expert Committee member for the identification of the Backward classes in Karnataka, appointed in 2015 and Member of the Committee for the improvement of Government Schools in Karnataka, appointed in 2016.