Time to sit up and take notice,  indeed!

 Gaspar D'Souza

"If you do not use 'tod-phod', no one will notice. But when people read we have beaten up padres, everybody sits up and takes notice." - Dharmendra Sharma of the Bajrang Dal

At first, it was the Muslim community. Now it is the turn of the Christians to acquire the tag of "grave threat to national security". The leaders of the RSS and Bajrang Dal make no bones about the fact that they are the defenders of the faith and will do whatever it takes to ensure that the  people "keep the faith".

The fact of the matter is, a vast majority of Hindus do not support the views of the Bajrang Dal and others of the Parivaar. In a recent feature in the Sunday Times of India, Yogendra Singh, a sociologist, states that only a miniscule section of the insecure urban middle class will buy the argument that Hindus are under threat. "Hinduism has survived through centuries not on the strength of arms but because of its intrinsic belief in pluralism and tolerance."

In spite of all it's claims of not being involved in the ongoing hate campaign against Christians, the BJP exhibits it's true colors each time one of it's spokespersons addresses the media. In the feature in the Times of India, the BJP senior vice-president, Mr. Jana Krishnamurthy, states, "They  (Christians) do say the Church is bent upon converting the entire country. Why should people object when the VHP talks about reconverting the converted, and it will not allow conversions."

Soon after the destruction of the Babri Masjid a few years ago, the BJP claimed they were not responsible. However, one cannot help but wonder what were their leaders thinking of when they led a large mob to the site and incited them with highly explosive speeches? Having thus excited the mob is it not their responsibility for what happens next?

Granted, the VHP and other members of the Parivaar have nothing to do with the recent murders and desecration of Churches, but is it not a fact that the hate campaigns of their leaders is sufficient to lead their followers to violent deeds. 

According to one pamphlet doing the rounds, the VHP leaders state, "Because missionaries are utilizing the mercenary press to spread dozens of lies against Hindus, they have no right to live in India". Even though they may not directly advocate violence against the Christians, their language is sufficient to convince readers that the Christian priests and Institutions are the biggest problem confronting Hindus. According to Dharmendra Sharma of the Bajrang Dal, "If you do not use 'tod-phod', no one will notice. But when people read we have beaten up padres, everybody sits up and takes notice." Time for all sane individuals to sit up and take notice!

The main point that these outfits harp about is the "forced conversions". Some of the leaders seem to bring up the statements made by Pope John Paul II during his recent visit to India and also in his Millennium message to the effect that "the third millennium is time to reap the rich harvest in Asia".  I do not wish to comment on the Pope's message. For that, there are already volumes written and can be accessed through a number of books and magazines as also at the Vatican's official website www.vatican.org

I would, however, like to draw the attention of readers to the reasoning behind conversions. It is important to understand that Christianity does not believe in the old "Fear of God" theory. The Christian God, is a God of Love, one who came down to this world to save mankind, while we were still enslaved in sin and death. Christians believe that Jesus Christ saved the whole of the human race by shedding his own blood on the Cross. The key here is "the whole of the human race". Therefore, Christians do not follow the precepts laid down, out of fear of God but out of love for Him and gratitude for His goodness.

Now, to anyone who is opposed to conversions, is it not natural to proclaim your love for someone? When a man is happy, is it not natural to share that joy with others around? This is the essence of Missionary zeal. A desire to
proclaim your joy to all of mankind. However, nowhere does the Catholic Church teach it's followers to force another individual to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. Having said that, we have to admit that there are instances when fanatic outfits have gone on a conversion spree and used  violence to propagate their faith. The Pope has himself, dared apologized for such instances. 

However, to say that all missionaries are involved in forced conversions cannot be farther from the truth. Missionaries are involved in work such as the setting up of schools and colleges where none existed. Of introducing health care systems and hospitals where there was no hope for the dying. These are the alleged "devious means" of  conversions  used by the missionaries. I should know, my own sister is currently working in the missions doing the task of building society. May God protect her and all those like her.

The question that arises is, had any one of the members of the Sangh Parivaar even heard of the far-flung villages that are so much in the news today? These were forgotten people before the missionaries came along. Out there, the poor are, even today, dying due to a lack of basic health care systems. The government is too busy debating "more important issues" in Parliament. And yes, the members of the Parivaar have other more important tasks on their agenda. Tasks such as attacking the minorities or, as per  recent reports from Mumbai, the task of indulging in violence through the anti-English, pro Marathi "criminal" protests. Since when has caring for one 's  fellowmen or women become "anti-national" work?

And as for propagating one's religion, the constitution of India guarantees this right. Every individual is free to practice the religion of his/her choice. The members of the Parivaar have no right to hinder the work of missionaries. For isn't it a fact that Hindu missions are actively propagating Hinduism in societies abroad? Are we to assume these missions are "anti-national" in these foreign countries? Should they be banned? Of course not! The freedom of expression and the right to one's own beliefs is the central focus of the modern world.

It is about time that the govt. took firm action against these outfits so as to instill a sense of security in the minds of the minority communities in India. It is only then that the nation can take advantage of the latest breakthroughs in Information Tech, Genetics and other frontiers of Science and Technology in the 21st century.

S. Gasper D'Souza
July 4, 2000

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