M Chuba Ao
It may be relevant in the beginning of the New Year to refer to some Biblical episodes. We know it pretty well that the Bible over and over again tells us the importance of loving others (1 Corinthians 16:14; 1 Corinthians 13:1-6, 13). It is said, it is hard to love others, and show the gospel to them when we are angry at them or hate them. Anger and hate are not the way of Jesus.
At one point, people brought a woman to Jesus and said she had sinned and so she ought to be punished. Jesus had his own and illustrious manner of reaction and said -”All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone.”
Now come to real polity of 2024. Where is the mirror, Trinamool Congress and other Opposition parties? To start with let me refer to a 'statement' issued by 3200 Christian leaders - sadly politicians included. The statement from these self-righteous individuals claim to 'dissociate' themselves from the Christmas-related event Prime Minister Narendra Modi held when he met some eminent Christian leaders and individuals on December 25, 2023.
They say: “...since 2014, the Christians in India have been victims of continued attacks and vilification.”
Firstly, the law of the land prevails in this country and more so under the Modi government. To pass such a sweeping judgement of 'vilification' is totally unfounded and unreasonable. No one is denying individual cases and in all these cases the law has taken its course wherever people approached the law enforcement agencies and the judiciary. If in Maharashtra some individual Christians have been sent behind bars, firstly it has been done through a process of law. Secondly, matters related to national security and public tranquillity cannot be compromised. If miscreants abuse law against Christians, there are ample instances that they do so with Hindus also. I have said a number of times that as a Christian and as a Naga tribal, I have all the freedom in this country and again more so when Modi is at the helm of affairs.
Now coming to the statement from these 3200 Christians, one is taking it with a pinch of salt as one prominent signatory is a Trinamool Congress leader and like his party leadership he is well known for selective amnesia. The violence against women and aged people in TMC-ruled West Bengal have never bothered such individuals. This is to speak the least.
Moreover, when it comes to Christ's teachings and the importance of Christmas Day; what is the 'justification'of finding fault with the Prime Minister when he has reached out to Christians. Those who attended Dec 25 event at PM's 7 Lok Kalyan Marg residence did so voluntarily on invitation and following all security protocols. No one was forced to attend so that some people who did not go for lunch will say that they are 'dissociating' themselves.
The fact of the matter is such individuals with negativity get themselves 'dissociated' in an auto mode. Such sectarian statement is most “un-Christian” like statement. It was also unethical as narrow political considerations have been linked to a strictly a social function and that too on the auspicious Christmas Day. The fact of the matter is Prime Minister Modi's efforts to reach out to Christians ought to be welcomed. But individuals inspired and guided by a 'corrupt political party' may not appreciate the truth. Christ's teaching is also against Corruption and a party with overflow of cash in their backyards must remember these. Will the same 3200 Christian individuals condemn the violence against women in West Bengal and Rajasthan? And also the currency notes over flow?
It may be mentioned here that sectarian approaches over the years has already isolated Muslims; and today, I am afraid these individuals will only create long term problems for the Christians. As a Christian, I condemn their act.
To talk about the Modi government and the BJP as a political party as I am associated with it for last many years; I can say assertively that my party has always followed the path of inclusive growth and equity in terms of development. About four crore people got houses during the period of the Modi government in the last few years. There are three crore women and mostly from rural areas. There was absolutely no discrimination vis-a-vis people's castes, religions or even gender. Readers should not forget that during this period the country with the rest of the world have been passing through an era of global economic recession. Covid19 had also thrown a serious challenge. But the Prime Minister Modi and his government have been able to guide the course of the nation.
When the BJP government came to power in 2014, the Employee Provident Fund figures stood at 11 crore, today it is 27 crore. That means -- without any religious discrimination - and otherwise, at least 16 crore new people have joined the process under which they are 'saving' money for future and even the employers either companies or government departments have been also investing. Despite the uncertainties in the global economy, Indian consumers today feel positive about their financial well-being, according to Deloitte’s Consumer Signals.
I have also stated in a previous article that till 2021-22, out of 2.31 crore houses built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, 31 per cent were allocated in “25 minority-dominated areas”. There were other yardsticks too, as many as 33 per cent beneficiary of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (for farmers) were minorities and out of the 9 crore beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, 37 per cent were from the minority communities. And obviously Christians included in that.
(Views are personal)
