Now, in this appeal just before Election Day, the appeal (that can be read below) urges one and all, even those sick and elderly to vote. Besides, states the appeal that it is the duty of every citizen to vote for candidates who are constitution bound, secular, non-corrupt and non-communal. Besides, the appeal states that freebies and incentives must guide the choice but the worth and merit of the candidate alone. The Christian community must reach out to neighbours of all religious denominations to exercise their franchise and those out of the city must be encouraged to return back to the cast their vote.

The Archbishop’s letter may be read here:

Meanwhile, on Saturday, May 5, another Jesuit priest and activist, Father Cedric Prakash also made his own appeal. He states that

“Its less than five days, on May 10, elections take place for the Karnataka State Assembly. These elections are significant on several counts but above all, it will be a telling indicator for the 2024 General Elections. The State of Karnataka is at the moment in a pathetic mess plagued with corruption, communalism, caste-ism, criminalization of politics and crony capitalism. At the receiving end are the poor: daily wagers, casual labourers and migrant workers; the excluded and the exploited; the minorities and other marginalized sections of society! Above all, several efforts have been meticulously made to destroy all that is sacred in the Constitution of India and the pluralistic, secular fabric of the country. The one aim to usher in a state based on the fascist ‘Hindutva’ ideology by 2025 seems high on the agenda by the regime and their ilk!”

In this open communication, Cedric Prakash also reminds the public, especially Christians of the attacks on Christians and their institutions in Mangalore and elsewhere in September 2008 which he states was certainly part of a much wider and long-term plan! He reminds his community of a letter (published below) which was written a little after those attacks, is still very relevant today. Though this letter was originally addressed to the ‘Catholics of Mangalore’ it is today an urgent call to every citizen of Karnataka state who cherishes the values and freedom guaranteed in the Constitution!

An Open Letter to the Catholics of Mangalore 

Dear Sisters and Brothers,
Greetings of Peace and Love to each one of you!
I have just returned from Mangalore, after spending five hectic days there; during which I met with, listened to and spoke to hundreds of youth, men and women; religious and clergy.

The days beginning Sunday, September 14 (the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross) have been very traumatic and painful for many across the board. “We never expected this to happen to us” is what several of you have been saying.  Many others added “and we were totally unprepared”.

During the days there, I experienced the pain and suffering of several of the victims:  those who were in the midst of teargas, those who were beaten up and brutalized by the brute force and insensitivity of the police, and even of those who spent some days in jail / police custody.  The underlying feeling throughout was, “this violence was just too terrible for words”.

It was also heartwarming to know how several of you literally stood firm to protect the Church and Church property. I have been tremendously edified by the heroics of many women (very specially Religious Sisters) who boldly faced the onslaught of violence. I was touched by the fact that several youth went to jail for no wrongdoing whatsoever, but only because their names were handed over to the police officers, who demanded that this be done.

I salute each one of you who have exemplified faith, courage and dignity to preserve the diversity and the secular fabric of our country.

Having said this, I need to share with you some of my reflections on the current happenings in Mangalore and other parts of Karnataka. What I write here is essentially based on the sharing of many and in no way should be misconstrued as ‘final words.  I also share them because as a citizen of India, I feel I have a responsibility to do so:

-The attacks on Churches and Christians are NOT a ‘one off’ affair.  It is part of a systematic long-term project of the Sangh Parivar, who have an insidious, divisive agenda based on a fascist ideology.

-During these attacks, the fascists have effectively used age-old tactics like ‘hit and run’, ‘divide- and-rule’ (it is not ‘you’ but ‘they’), “diverting-from-the-real-issue” (illegal conversion, foreign funds, etc.)

-It is blatantly obvious that they have trapped us in their subterfuge.  We have fallen prey to their evil designs.
-What perhaps went awry, in their plans, was the groundswell of response, from the Catholic Laity, very specially the youth. This spontaneous response, both, on September 14 and 15 (2008), certainly put them on the back foot.

-The ringing (pealing / tolling) of Church bells was a terrific strategy used on the part of the Catholics on both days.  In doing so, we were reminded that God is with us and that we need to come together / remain united in the face of crisis.  (At times during the Nazi regime, the Resistance Movements in parts of France also used to ring the Church bells in times of danger).

-The Police had no business to enter Church property, and very specially the Sacred Precincts of our Churches.  There is enough of documentary evidence to show how police have beaten up and brutalized people even inside Churches and severely damaged Church property.

-No acts of violence can and should be justified.  However, it is anyone’s guess as to who threw ‘the first stone’ and to what extent were the Catholic youth actually involved in stone throwing.

-In some Parishes, the police asked for a list of names of youth who they could arrest, and unfortunately, these were given, even when the youth were just sitting silently in the Church compound.

-On the very first day, members of the Sangh Parivar took responsibility for the attacks.  This would not have been possible if they did not have the full patronage of the State Government and the support of BJP higher-ups.  Government Officials and Police clearly acted as footstools for the whims and fancies of their political masters.

-A few days before these attacks, a highly inflammatory and defamatory booklet was printed and distributed outside the gates of several educational institutions in Mangalore.  The booklet held the Christians responsible for the killing of the Swami in Orissa.  The police did nothing to stop those responsible for the publishing and distribution of this booklet.

-The Sangh Parivar, with all its affiliates, is a fascist organization. They are out to destroy the secular fabric of the country. They DO NOT represent the vast majority of the Hindus of the country.  It is dangerous and immoral, to enter into any negotiations or deals with them.  When one does so, one provides them a legitimacy, which they desperately hanker for. Above all, one is manipulated into a vulnerable position carefully designed by them (“you are also the criminals”).

-The dharnas / demonstrations by the Catholics have proved that “Satyagraha” (the force of Truth) given to us by Mahatma Gandhi is a very effective weapon to counter hate, prejudice and violence in this country.
In the context of the above, I would like to make the following suggestions / remarks:

• The machinations of the Sangh Parivar are going to continue for a long time. Please do not be fooled if there are utterances that it is all over.
• It is important to document / study / analyze the way they work.  This should be done through well-established ‘Resources Centres’ which can also serve as nodal points in times of crisis.
• We need to carefully study the various statements of the Chief Minister and Home Minister (check his blog) of Karnataka.  There are several contradictions in them.  Do remember that fascists always indulge in techniques which are Goebbelsian: “tell a lie a thousand time and people tend to believe it”
• We need to be a Communicating Church with a very effective coordinating mechanism in which power and responsibility is shared at every possible level and especially among all sections of the laity.
• We need to SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER (Archbishop Bernard Moras’ bold statements to the Chief Minister is an excellent example for all of us).
• We need to formulate responses and strategies for the long term.  We need to set OUR agenda, very specially to preserve and enhance the Constitutional Rights and Freedom of every single citizen (the Sangh Parivar tries to make us reactionaries to their devious agenda).
• We should not give up any of our routine programmes /functions / celebrations.  Every effort has to be made to show the fascists that we are citizens of this country with the rights and freedoms guaranteed to every citizen.
• Our response has to be broad based.  It should certainly include all ethnic groups within the Catholic Community.  It should include all denominations of the Christian Faith (e.g., at the National level, we do have the ‘National United Christian Forum’ and in Gujarat we have the ‘Gujarat United Christian Forum’).  Above all, it should include all men and women of goodwill.  In this last category, we will have thousands of young men and women belonging to every faith, who have passed through the portals of our Educational Institutions, and who even hold important positions in Society, in Government and in Industry. They MUST be part of this broad-based response.
• Those police officers responsible for these heinous acts should be brought to book immediately for dereliction of duty.  There is an understandable fear among members of the community from doing so, fearing revenge, but unless some beginning is made by civil society, we will never be able to make the police accountable and in adhering to their sacred mandate that of protecting the life and property of every single citizen.
• All others responsible for the attacks on Christians and the Churches MUST be brought to book immediately and the Government must be held responsible for this.  If not, they will be miserably failing in their prime duty.
•  All Catholic youth who have been arrested should be released immediately and all charges against them should be dropped unconditionally.
•  The attacks on the Christians in Karnataka, together with those of Orissa and other parts of India must be internationalized.  The Central and State Governments must get missives from countries who are friendly with India.  
• A Citizens Tribunal consisting of eminent people from all walks of life (and preferably non-Christians), must be set up immediately. Mangalorean Catholics will have to provide the financial resources and logistical support for this Citizens Tribunal.

Above all, ‘DO NOT PANIC!’ ‘DO NOT FEAR!’ The Lord is with us and has told us over and over again those we should “FEAR NO ONE” on this earth…Being a citizen of India is our birthright. Let us hold our heads high and cherish the eternal values given to us by Jesus.  The Indian Constitution also guarantees many of them.  Being Indian is our birthright and no one can deny us that and no one can treat us as second-class citizens in our country.

With warm wishes and prayers,
in solidarity,

Fr. Cedric Prakash j                                                                                           
September 25, 2008

Hopefully, the above letter will serve as a clarion call to the people of Karnataka to wake up now: go out and exercise your franchise and motivate others to do so too! It may be just too late – for you to cry tomorrow! Awake now and Act: the result on May 13 has to be for a more democratic India where truth, justice, liberty, equality, fraternity and pluralism are given their due importance!

Related: 

Citizens, civil society hold the ruling party, BJP to account: #ReportCard Karnataka

Karnataka Elections: Hundreds of Families can Live in Their Homes for Only 8 Months in a Year

BJP govt in Karnataka drops 182 cases of hate crimes in 4 years: Report

The post Archbishop of Bengaluru appeals to community to vote, ensure support for candidates constitution-bound and non-corrupt appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Archbishop Peter Machado of Bengaluru Archdiocese was one of the first Christian leaders to react strongly to Karnataka Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Department’s survey of “Christian missionaries and places of worship”. Here the Church leader tells us how the survey virtually places a bull’s eye on the backs of Christians in the state, as well as the possible repercussions of the proposed anti-conversion law. 

You are the only one who has spoken out bravely. What is your assessment of the situation in karnataka

It is not very good. We are a peace loving community. By and large even Karnataka is a very peaceful place. Hindus, Muslims, Christians, all the communities are in good harmony with each other. There are some sporadic events because of small groups that create a problem, but at every festiwal, whether it is Diwali, Ramzan or Christmas, people celebrate together. This (problem) is a creation of a small group which is impressing on the Chief Minister to make this anti-conversion bill. What has hurt us more is that, maybe not directly the Chief Minister, but the Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Department has sent a circular to the police, to take a headcount of all the churches, of all denominations. They have put it as churches which are authorised and churches which are not authorised. The (survey seeks) name of the pastor, the phone number etc. We say this is discriminatory, it is not for all the communities. It looks as if it is targeting us only. Only the Christian community. Secondly we know that if the government wants these details they can have it in any form, in fact the minority department has the list of all our churches. Now [post survey] this list will be in the public domain and can pass on to the smaller groups that will then start harassing those who are “unauthorised”.

What do they mean when they say a church is “unauthorised” or “illegal”?

Maybe they mean that full permissions have not been taken for the building, perhaps for meetings. It is not very clear what they have in mind. These groups were against praying in the houses. We Christians, at Christmas, may carry baby Jesus from house to house, the neighbours come together to pray. It is not easy to get permission in Karnataka to get permission to build churches or places of worship. We have to produce 15-20 kinds of certificates, environment certificates, (those from) health, police, fire departments. For the smaller churches, it is not easy to get all these due to the bureaucracy. There are places who apply and after five-six years, the permissions are rejected. 

But house churches are held on private property?

The Karnataka government will not allow it. They will say public gatherers there and add you don’t have fire fighting [equipment or certificate]. They mostly gather only on Sundays or evenings for prayers and singing bhajans devotional songs.

Karnataka may soon get an  anti conversion law, what is the concern of the Christian community?

The Constitution has freedoms and restrains on what we should do and what we cannot do. Article 25 says every citizen has the freedom to proclaim his religion, to preach and even to propagate, but there are limits. There are enough laws in the country, do we need one more law? To punish Christians? If the police were to do [this survey] in all humility I don’t mind, but this will be handed over to groups of people. There is already much noise in Karnataka about moral policing, the police don’t do it but some other groups do it. The police are helpless, they are threatened also. These kinds of laws will fall into the hands of the people who will take advantage of it. Karnataka doesn’t need it [anti conversion law] we are mature people, we have enough understanding. The communities themselves have peace committee meetings, this is not something that the government has to take credit for.

It has been alleged that there are conversions in certain areas, where outfits like Ram Sene are active…

In a place called Hubli, a group went to the church and began singing their own bhajans. Anyone can do anything now…

Are independent churches more vulnerable?

Yes, I feel for them. We [Catholics] at least have systems, we are organised and our churches are authorised, but the smallest churches are not. If the government was to ask me which are the places which are authorised, we will help them to get authorised. I do not want a list for anybody.

Is that how right-wing mobs are empowered?

Yes.

But the Christian community has itself been silent on protesting attacks on Dalits, and Muslims in Karnataka. Why do you feel that is the case?

The Christian community is peaceful and sometimes pacifist, they don’t speak out loud. ‘Unless I am hurt I won’t speak’ type. I don’t approve. We have formed United Christian Forums at different places and encourage all churches to come together. Though we are seperate on certain issues we are united on many issues. We have the same Bible, the same faith that we proclaim. 

How will you combat the Christian survey and the proposed Bill?

For the Bill, I don’t think we can, because the government has its own majority, its own way of passing the Bills etc. I am a little discouraged in this matter, but I am also trying to contact men of goodwill, even the legislators among the other parties who can speak for us and put some sense into the people. As regards the survey they have not yet come towards the cities, perhaps they are going more towards the villages, we have told them to give whatever information they have. 

Have you seen any survey questionnaires so far?

Unfortunately the police are not yet clear on what is their duty [in this case] they go to the churches and show the ‘form’ on their mobiles, but we told our people it should be in writing, and we will also reply in writing that is the norm. How do we know, the person who has come, is authorised?

Have these concerns been conveyed to the administration?

We are writing to the administration that this is not a good thing, but we do not know who to address it to. There is no clarity. Tomorrow they can deny. Centre can say we cannot say anything, things are hazy. We have established a mechanism by which independent churches can connect with the United Christan Forum offices. The other minorities will also get support if needed. They have targeted us and we will answer, if it is a minority issue we will [tackle] together.

Why is are the anti-Christian targeting so bad now?

In 2008 churches were attacked very badly, that was the time. The present Chief Minister was in the Janata Dal party at that time and he was the one who condemned  all those things. Twelve years on he has forgotten and is indirectly encouraging these things.

How are these radical groups growing so rapidly?

If the government in power encourages, patronises, surely they will grow no? If the government sends a strong message that we are under the Constitution, we have taken oath under the constitution and are responsible to protect all the people, and this [attacks and targeting] can’t be done. 

What is your message to the Karnataka government?

I have met the Chief Minister, he was very courteous and accommodating. I would request the CM to have a little more faith in us. We are citizens of the country and are also bound to the constitution. We will not do anything that goes against the Constitution, secondly if you want to check the list of our churches, take the list of our institutions also. So many of our schools, hospitals, and social services are rendering service to the public, take a list of them and judge them. I have even challenged the government and said that in Bangalore alone we have more than two lakh students in our schools and colleges. Give me one example of a conversion that has taken place there. In the corona times our hospital admitted one thousand patients at one time… They were desperate and dying… any conversions there? I would request the government to have faith in us. Surely we will not betray the government. We are citizens of the country and will work for the country, and anything you want you request us. We are ready to build more hospitals and more social centres. On the religious side, support us. We can do all these services for the public because of our faith. If I don’t believe in God, why will I take interest in the welfare of others? So strong is my faith that my hands serve the people. One official told me it is done for your own benefit so we can help you more. I said I do not want this kind of money. If the survey is done, data is public and groups may target more people and take the law in their own hands. I have written to the CM to withdraw the survey. 

What is your message to the Christian community?

I have told them that persecution is also to strengthen our faith, our bonding with each other and our resolve to do [work for others] despite the difficulties. The blood of the martyrs has always been the seed of new trees. Let us not get discouraged and let us not get too worked up also. These are passing phases. Perhaps the government itself will realise one day that this was a futile exercise. You know there are many Christians who joined the BJP, am sure they will lose confidence now, even Christians who supported the government will next time do a double think, is it safe to bring them back to power or trust them? 

Related:

Survey of Karnataka’s Christian missionaries and places of worship, a dangerous exercise: Archbishop

Karnataka: CM Bommai normalising ‘moral policing’, gets schooled by ex-CM Siddaramaiah

Hate Watch: Was Sri Rama Sena Hindustan member allegedly paid Rs 5 lakh to kill 

Mangaluru: Protests by Hindutva groups force College to cancel naming park after 

K’taka: Right-wing goons forcibly shut down meat shops; vandalise Muslim couple’s chicken shop

Hate Watch: Right-Wing group sing bhajans in Karnataka church as “protest” 

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