[Goanet]Profile: A Christian in public life

[Sachin Phadte]

The sketch of George Menezes given by Janina Gomes with respect to his 
political life made very interesting reading.  I have read George's many 
articles in the national media and have found him to be quite a deep thinker 
on many issues relating to the well-being of the nation.

There are some points that are of interest to me, and I am wondering if 
there is someone on the list who can obtain the answers from him.

George's leaving the BJP was indeed a good decision for the secular health 
of India.  However, the article says that George joined the BJP in the first 
place because of his disenchantment with the Congress party.  The article 
specifically says: "Though Congress had ruled India virtually uninterrupted 
from the time of India's independence in 1947 until 1994, Menezes says it 
had done little to improve the lot of the marginalized. The party 
institutionalized corruption and showed its fascist face when Indra Ghandi 
declared a state of emergency (1975-1977), he says."

The point is whether there is a consensus that the Congress has improved in 
any manner, and, if not, should anyone support the party.  There is, of 
course, the question of there being no alternative.  However, when offering 
support it is always a good idea to be fully aware of the minuses.

The article also says: "Menezes says he resigned from the party when he 
realized that a small group of moderates like him could not influence 
hardliners in the party. Advani went on with his Rath Yatra ("chariot tour" 
around the country mobilizing people) that led finally to the demolition of 
the Babri Mosque in northern India."

It is my impression that George was in the BJP for about two years, that is 
between 1981 to 1983.  The Rath Yatra was taken up in 1989, and the 
programme that lead to the eventual demolition of the Babri Mosque was 
adopted by the party in 1985 or thereabouts.  So, in what way is George' s 
correct decision to quit the BJP linked with the programme?

A disturbing aspect of the article is as follows: "Menezes, who was on the 
Pontifical Commission of the Laity, says Rome approved of his involvement 
with the BJP as a means for Christians to build bridges rather than walls 
between communities."  This is disturbing because it seems to me that a 
foreign authority controls the political involvement of the Catholics in 
India.  Does this mean that Sonia Gandhi joined politics in India only after 
Rome had approved?

Another issue is whether George took Rome's permission before leaving the 
BJP.

A further point is "Even today, Fr. Aguiar sees Menezes joining the BJP as a 
minus given the origins, antecedents and agenda of the religiously divisive 
party."  It would seem to me that Rome had different views of George's 
mission in joining the BJP from that held by Bombay.

As I said earlier, I wonder if these comments can somehow reach George, if 
he is not on this list, and his views are solicited.

Sachin Phadte.

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