People's Democracy

THE parleys between leaders of the Indian churches and those of the RSS raise a number of critical issues of concern not only to Christians but to all those who are keen to uphold secular democracy in India. After the dialogue between the representatives of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) and the RSS on August 22, talks are scheduled to take place between the NCCI and RSS on September 12, in Nagpur. The secrecy surrounding these talks and the role of a particular member of the Minorities Commission adds to the gravity of the question, for which the leaders of the churches owe an explanation.

This was pointed out in a joint statement recently issued from Thiruvananthapuram by Bishop Thomas Mar Athanasius, president of the Ecumenical Study and Dialogue Centre, Moovattupuzha, and Professor Ninan Koshy, president of Dr Mar Paulose Memorial Trust, Trichur.

On earlier occasions, both the CBCI and the NCCI had publicly admitted the grave risks involved in having a dialogue with the RSS and other members of the Sangh Parivar. Even after that, the RSS leadership made several attacks on the minorities, including the Christians, questioned their loyalty to the country and demanded a reorganisation of their structures. Based on a warped and narrow notion of nationalism, the RSS stipulated conditions for tolerating the minorities. The RSS stated that a meaningful dialogue with Christians was possible only if Christians stop conversions. Both the CBCI and the NCCI had made it clear that such conditions were not acceptable. The people have a right to know how their apprehensions have been removed, what the conditions are under which they have agreed for a dialogue, and what the nature of their understanding with the RSS is.

The joint statement pointed out that the claim by some church leaders as well as RSS leaders that their aim is to remove the misunderstanding between the Christian and Hindu communities is highly misleading. The problem is one created by the Sangh Parivar. There is no misunderstanding between the two communities as such. While dialogue between the two communities should always be welcomed, the statement asked: Do the spiritual leaders of the churches consider the RSS leaders representative of the Hindu community and therefore their natural dialogue partners? By appearing to accept the credentials of the RSS to speak on behalf of the Hindu community, the leaders of the churches are only weakening their own credentials to speak on behalf of the Christian community. By giving an undue representative character to the RSS, are not the church leaders casting doubt on their own representative character in this exercise?

The statement reminded that the attacks the RSS has launched are not just attacks on the Christians alone. They are part of a calculated campaign against all minorities and all those who stand for secular democracy in this country. They cannot be dealt with by bilateral talks between Christians and the RSS. Or, the statement asked, are the church leaders concerned only about the attacks on Christians? It is unfortunate that Christian spiritual leaders seem to forget the agony of other minorities and the larger issues involved in holding secret bilateral talks with the RSS.

The statement warned that the RSS represents a political ideology that threatens the secular democratic fabric of the nation. The church leaders will be deceiving themselves if they think that they can change the RSS ideology by holding negotiations with it. The issues are not spiritual, religious or theological but political and ideological.

These secret parleys have been arranged by a member of the National Minorities Commission from Kerala who, by his actions and statements, has already shown that he is a spokesman of the Sangh Parivar. It is a pity that many church leaders in India still follow this gentleman who pursues an agenda that is detrimental to the interests of the minorities.

The joint statement pointed out that, instead of affirming the rights of Christians as the citizens of a democratic secular nation and upholding the rights of all, church leaders appear to be asking for accommodation and minority status in the Hindu rashtra for which the RSS stands. They need to be reminded that, more than at any time, they have to show their commitment to secular democracy by joining forces with all those who support it.