By Matters India Reporter
New Delhi: Father Jacob Pallipurath, the only Catholic priest in India to become a legislator in a state assembly for one term, died March 29 at Dharwad in Karnataka. He was 90.
Father Jacob belonged to Belgaum diocese.
The funeral will be held at 4 pm on March 30 at Hubly, Karnataka.
Father P J Jacob, as he was popularly known, was elected as independent candidate in 1983 from the Kalghatgi constituency in Karnataka, defeating Congress and Janata Party candidates.
He won with a majority of 496 votes over the Congress party’s Fakiragouda Shivanagouda Patil.
The villagers received the victorious candidate with a procession of more than 3,000 bullock carts.
Although he won as an independent, the then Karnataka Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde appointed him the chairman of the fisheries commission with cabinet rank.
He was the founder-president of Good News Welfare Society that runs various educational institutions, from kindergarten to degree colleges. He led several agitations for development of the backward taluk.
He used his good offices to get drinking water to villages, roads and other facilities to Dalit colonies and helped in efforts to set up vocational training colleges.
He was also a recipient of Rajyotsava Award, the second highest civilian honor of Karnataka state conferred annually on November 1, the anniversary of establishment of the southern Indian state.
The Karnatak University had honored him with honorary doctoral degree.
A native of Meenkulam Anjal in Kerala’s Kollam district, Father Jacob had come to Kalghatgi in 1964 after his education in Goa and Belagavi. He had worked among Lambini tribal people of Karnataka for decades.
Chairman of Legislative Council Basavaraj Horatti, Industries Minister Jagadish Shettar and others mourned his demise.
How was his relationship with the Church during and after his election? I remember there were many controversies after his election.
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Respectful farewell to Father Jacob Pallipurath. He served the nation with dedication and distinction. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let your perpetual light shine upon the departed soul.
Like Fr Jacob, other priests, nuns and Bishops also should stand for election and be truly involved in social activities.