UCA News
Contribute

India's Christians join protest against growing intolerance

Modi under fire for not taking stand against hard-line Hindu groups
India's Christians join protest against growing intolerance
Published: November 03, 2015 09:07 AM GMT
Updated: November 02, 2015 11:07 PM GMT

Christian leaders have joined growing calls in India against what they and opposition parties claim is increasing religious and ethnic intolerance in the country.

Some 100 prominent Christian leaders and social activists signed a statement Oct. 2 denouncing "well-orchestrated efforts" by Hindu extremist groups to use the government to achieve their ends.

"As citizens, we uphold the democratic, secular and socialist principles and practices of our mother country; we uphold the basic foundations of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity enshrined in our constitution for all the citizens of the country," the statement said.

"We uphold the right of citizens to live a life without any intimidation by anyone," the statement added.

The signatories include college principals, former police officers and civil servants who expressed solidarity with victims of targeted violence such as tribal people, women and people from religious minorities.

"A very dangerous trend is gaining momentum in the country, which tolerates violence against minorities of all kinds," said Jesuit Father Stanislaus Jebamalai, who helped draw up the statement.

He said they plan to present the statement to President Pranab Mukherjee or Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convey people's "anxiety and pain," Father Jebamalai told ucanews.com Nov. 3.

The statement came as opposition Congress party leader Sonia Gandhi prepared to lead a march from parliament to the president's residence to call for Mukherjee's intervention to end an atmosphere of polarization, violence and intolerance sweeping India.

Social activists like Father Jebamalai say violence against minorities has increased since Modi and his pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swept to power 18 months ago.

The party is widely seen as the political wing of Hindu groups such as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS national volunteer corps), which critics say are working to turn India into a Hindu theocratic nation.

In the past year there have been demands from Hindu groups to change certain clauses in India's secular constitution and well-established policies like quota systems to help people of socially and economically poor castes.

However, Amit Shah, president of the Bharatiya Janata Party, told local media that the government was being unfairly blamed for acts of intolerance.

 

'Too late'

In the last two months, India has witnessed incidents of deadly mob violence linked to rumors of people eating beef.

Three people have been killed during a campaign by Hindu groups calling for a total ban on the slaughter of cows. Hindus regard the cow as sacred.

Elsewhere, literary figure Malleshappa Kalburgi was shot dead in Karnataka state in August supposedly for speaking out against superstitions and idolatry.

Authors and publishers have been reportedly attacked and art performances and concerts banned because they were seen as being anti-Hindu.

Modi has often been criticized for keeping silent about the violence, prompting opponents to accuse him of following the agenda of Hindu groups.

As a result, growing signs of discontent are emerging.

Some 41 literary figures angered by the violence and Modi's silence recently returned prestigious national awards they won.

Father Jebamalai said the Christian statement was also aimed at creating awareness among the Christian community about the need to protest against what is going on in the country.

"It is coming to you, it will be too late if you wait till it comes to you," he said.

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia