Diocese of Gulbarga Mobilises Grassroots Leaders for 2026 Panchayat Polls

Kalaburagi, March 2, 2026 — In a concerted effort to strengthen responsible civic engagement ahead of the 2026 local body polls, the Bidar and Gulbarga deaneries of the Diocese of Gulbarga convened Pastoral Council Meetings and leadership training sessions on February 28, bringing together parish representatives and lay leaders to prepare communities for meaningful democratic participation.

The coordinated initiative drew 85 members to the Bidar Deanery Pastoral Council meeting and 40 members to the Gulbarga Deanery session held at the Mother Teresa Community Hall. Participants reflected a cross-section of parish leadership committed to aligning pastoral responsibility with civic duty.

Deliberations focused on key aspects of the forthcoming Grama Panchayat Elections, particularly the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the role of Parish Pastoral Councils in fostering informed, ethical participation in public life. The discussions underscored the Church’s emphasis on forming conscientious citizens who contribute constructively to local governance.

Working in groups, participants developed context-specific strategies to translate awareness into concrete action at parish and village levels. As part of this structured leadership approach, approximately 50 potential candidates were identified for consideration in the upcoming elections, signalling a proactive effort to nurture community-based leadership.

A central priority of the meetings was voter inclusion. Council members affirmed their responsibility to ensure that every eligible Catholic verifies and secures their name on the electoral rolls through the SIR process. To coordinate these efforts, a District-Level Committee was constituted to guide and monitor election-related initiatives across pastoral centres.

Clear timelines were established to sustain momentum. All Parish and Mission Centre Pastoral Council meetings are to be convened on or before March 10, 2026, to review action plans and mobilise participation. Parallel village-level consultations will be organised in collaboration with local leaders to refine strategies and establish committees aligned with the broader vision.

As proceedings concluded, the emphasis remained on unity, ethical leadership and sustained civic involvement. The initiative of the deaneries in Bidar and Kalaburagi reflects a growing commitment within the local Church to integrate faith-based formation with active citizenship, ensuring that grassroots voices are prepared, represented and engaged in the democratic process.

By Catholic Connect Reporter