Is it to see this India that the Pope was invited?
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In Gurugram, where Friday prayers of Muslims have been continuously disrupted by the Sangh Parivar affiliates, "Jai Shree Ram" was chanted around a school where Christmas celebrations were being held, in the same pattern as earlier forms of intimidation. In Kurukshetra, Hanuman Chalisa was played through a microphone during a Christmas celebration. The statue of Christ was smashed inside a church Temple in the Ambala Cantonment area, which was put under tight security. Provocative slogans were chanted in front of the ashram where Christmas prayers were held in Chandmari, Varanasi, which is the stronghold of the Prime Minister. The extent of hatred and animosity incited in the process is illustrated by an incident where a protest was staged against Santa Claus alleging it to be a cover for conversion and an effigy was burned. In Karnataka, where the BJP government is pushing for a ban on conversion, rehearsals for the violence began weeks ago.
In the first nine months of this year, there were 300 incidents of violence against the Christian community in the country, according to figures released by human rights groups. Many right-wing groups have threatened not to allow Christmas celebrations and traditional lit star decorations. In such a situation, governments, which are duty bound to provide the necessary security arrangements during the festivities, are eager to assist the perpetrators instead. They must also have considered it their duty to commit atrocities against the Christian community that Golwalkar listed as the greatest enemies after Muslims. If the BJP or its leaders claim not to support such attacks, they should have come forward to condemn the atrocities committed by various elements of the Hindutva Parivar organizations, at least with a tweet. t. Hateful and fake social media messages about religion are being spread by a dedicated group - which includes frontline sangh parivar advocates - and the messages constantly reach young people, housewives and family groups. Deceived by the promises of the Sangh Parivar and blinded by a mutual belief in accusing Muslims of things like love jihad, narcotics jihad and other false invective, Christian leaders and clergy who once called for a 'secular society' have now been pushed to the sideline. Their silence in the face of such atrocities committed against their own community by those they sought to ally with is a point worthy of noting.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Pope Francis in person a few months ago and invited him to visit India, following repeated requests from the Christian community in the country. The Pope accepted the invitation and each of us hopes he will visit India next year. But, have we invited that world leader who puts peace as top priority to see a country full of broken Christ statues, churches and persecuted priests? Perhaps the Prime Minister and his followers think that the wounded men can be concealed just as the slums housing poor people were hidden by a wall so that guests cannot see them.
