Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
New Delhi (Agenzia Fides) – The violence has not ended. In spite of international pressure and measures taken by the federal government, in various states of India, Christians are still a target.
During the Synod of Bishops taking place at the Vatican, Cardinal Varkey Vithaithil, President of the Bishops’ Conference in India, in his talk referred to the “persecution of Christians in India,” counting on support from the Pope and the Universal Church.
In the state of Orissa alone, the anti-Christian attacks begun one month ago led to the death of 60 people and the flight of another 50,000. Of these, at least 15,000 are staying in refugee camps arranged by the government. However, the camps are attacked by members of Hindu fundamentalist groups, and thus, thousands of Christians have moved to more secure areas. In the meantime, the Diocese of Bhubaneshwar reports as to other acts of violence and the burning of villages.
The emotional and rational force behind the Hindu ideology “hindutva” (“Hinduness”), is what seeks to eliminate the non-Hindu religious minorities on the continent. The history, the pillars, organizations, strategies that make reference to the “hindutva” were explained in an article written by Indian Jesuit Fr. Sunny Jacob, SJ.
Fr. Jacob’s explanation helps to understand the motivations, the steps, the objectives in the campaign of attacks against Christians. The political reasons (the quest for consensus for the upcoming elections in various states next year) are mixed with the social ones (the will to establish the caste system), and religious ones (the view of Christians as a threat to the Hindu religion).
There is a progressive rise in the number of radicalist groups in India (it was one of these that killed Gandhi); the question of the so-called “anti-conversion laws,” recently passed in various Indian states; and the world of the Hindu radicalist groups (led by the IRSS).
It is also worth mentioning that many Hindu leaders, as is the case with the majority of India’s people, are open to dialogue and tolerance. Thus, the Church is trying to find official and public support from these leaders: in order to make them all understand that the ideology of the fundamentalists is a betrayal to the Hindu religion itself. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 10/10/2008)
