Express outrage over “culpable silence” on minority rights by church leaders
– Abdul Bari Masoud
New Delhi, Jan. 5: More than 3,000 prominent Christians from all walks of life around the country came together to say “not in our name,” registering protest against the church leaders who took selfies and dined during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Christmas celebrations at his residence last week. Signatories expressed their outrage at these leaders’ “culpable silence” on minority rights and other “grim realities” during the event. They said these Christian representatives publicly betrayed the Gospel of Jesus and His values of truth, justice, joy, love, dignity, and peace.
The statement, issued by the two Jesuit priests (Fathers Prakash Louis and Cedric Prakash) and Dr. John Dayal on Friday, stated: “While it is certainly within his right as Prime Minister to host a reception for whomsoever he wishes, one naturally would question the intention of this reception when he has not condemned a single attack on the Christians under his Prime Ministership.”
“Not in Our Name! Christmas Celebration with the PM is Not in Our Name! We are in the Christmas season, a time when we are all called to internalize and actualize the gifts of joy, love, peace, truth, justice, and hope that Jesus our Saviour offers to us.”
“Interestingly, while he (Modi) praised Jesus Christ and waxed eloquent about the services of the Christian community, he did not share remorse or empathy for the situation of the Christians in the country today,” the signatories said.
Eager to disassociate themselves from the church leaders’ decision, the signatories begin by asserting, “Not in Our Name!” They underline that the community leaders could have declined the invitation in light of what has been happening to Christians in Manipur and elsewhere.
“The Christian representatives who spoke thanked the Prime Minister profusely for many things! The hard truth is that the Prime Minister and his government have consistently disregarded their constitutional mandate, be it to the minorities, the Adivasis, the Dalits, the backward castes, the farmers, laborers, migrants, etc. Hence, their gratitude to the Prime Minister was not in our name!” the statement added.
It expresses how uncomfortable many members of the Christian community are over that event.
“When these Christian representatives spoke at the reception, they were giving tacit approval to the omission and commission of this government,” the signatories said.
“Through their culpable silence, they failed to uphold the values enshrined in the Constitution of India.”
They emphasized that since 2014, in particular, Christians in India have been victims of continued attacks and vilification from members of the ruling establishment across the country.
“Christians and Christian schools and institutions have been hounded and harassed, their places of worship destroyed, they have been denied their ordinary rights as citizens, and they have been subject to denigration and demonization. The anti-conversion laws that have been put into place in BJP-ruled states are used as weapons against the fundamental right to preach, practice, and propagate one’s religion. Celebrations in schools have been stopped, and Christians have been arrested without any warrant and put behind bars for no offense of theirs. Since May 3, 2023, the Christians of Manipur have been subject to constant attacks, which still continue unabated and with apparent approval from the BJP governments both in the state and at the center. In the wake of all this, it is ironic that the Prime Minister hosted around 100 Christian representatives of different denominations on Christmas morning for a celebration,” it underlined.
The statement pointed out that those invited to the Christmas reception were a select group of Christians.
“While the invitation was from the Prime Minister, here was an opportunity for them to courteously decline the invitation in light of what has been happening to the Christians in Manipur and elsewhere. Hence, their acceptance of this invitation was not in our name!”
Taking strong exception to the Christian representatives, who spoke and thanked the Prime Minister profusely for many things!, the statement highlighted that “the hard truth is that the Prime Minister and his government have consistently disregarded their constitutional mandate, be it to the minorities, the Adivasis, the Dalits, the backward castes, the farmers, laborers, migrants, etc. Hence, their gratitude to the Prime Minister was not in our name!”
“Through their culpable silence, they failed to uphold the values enshrined in the Constitution of India. Hence, their silence was not in our name! Today, we, the Christians of India, together with conscious and committed citizens, pledge to protect and promote the Constitution, country, and citizens of India and to work with and for all those who are victims of an unjust, insincere, and authoritarian regime.”
More than 300 Christians from all walks of life representing every section of society have endorsed the statement, including Trinamul MP Derek O’Brien, retired bureaucrat M.G. Devashayam, Adv. Adolph Pinto Adrian,Correa Adrian Dmello, Adrian Mascarenhas, Adv. Charles Nisha Bineesh, Adv. Sir Hira Parkhe, A.C. Michael, and activist Flavia Agnes.
