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NO MORE DIVISIVE POLITICS
Christian bodies call for harmony
Sunday, 15 March 2015 - 7:45am IST
| Agency: dna | From
the print edition
Preksha Malu
After the recent statements made by RSS chief Mohan
Bhagwat on mother Teresa, along with the vandalism and destruction of
church properties in Delhi, Christian organisations across the city came
together to form a human chain on March 14. At 6pm, the event began
from Churchgate, Dahisar and even Navi Mumbai, where arterial roads saw
people dressed in white to protest religious intolerance.
People demonstrate for the communal harmony campaign, Human Chain —
We Are One, to show solidarity, at Dadar
Hemant Padalkar
dna
After the recent statements made by RSS chief Mohan
Bhagwat
on mother Teresa, along with the vandalism and destruction of church
properties in Delhi, Christian organisations across the city came
together to form a human chain
on March 14. At 6pm, the event began from Churchgate, Dahisar and even
Navi Mumbai, where arterial roads saw people dressed in white to protest
religious intolerance.
A shout out was given to all faiths, churches and institutions via
social media to join them in the protest which urged the government to
stop the hate campaign and focus on development and good governance.
The shout out read that owing to an increasing number of crimes
perpetrated on the minorities and communalization of the country by
certain groups, citizens at large wish to express their hurt feelings.
"Hence, the human chain is being planned as a form of peaceful
protest and to send a strong message to the government to address the
situation. Since white is a colour symbolizing peace, participants of
the human chain may wear white as part of their attire," it said.
Speaking for the people of Mumbai, it read: "We have seen hatred and
bloodshed in our city, (and) pledge that we will not give in to
demonization of religions and to those who preach war, violence, hatred and
intolerance.
We undertake to keep Mumbai a city that is peaceful and united. We
commit to building a world based on the principles of tolerance and
peace, equality and justice."
Willie Shirsat, a member of the 'church in the city' body which has
civic and political cells in churches across the city, said: "Unity in
the country is of paramount importance for the progress and peace of its
citizens. Divisive politics and communalization of the country is
taking the country backward. All religions are paths towards one and the
same God and focus should be on maintaining peace and harmony in the
country. The Christian community is docile and needs to come out of the four
walls of the church to change the quality of life they wish to have."
Secretary of the United Christians of Mumbai and CRUPA, Cyril Dara
was looking after the South Mumbai points from Churchgate to Parel, and
said that church bells would ring at the beginning and end of the
protest. "We wish to convey the message of unity in diversity. We will
be holding banners and placards not just for our community but for
everybody. The PM's own men are making comments reeking of religious
intolerance. We do not want any comments against any religion," he
added.
What they expect
1. Government must take responsibility and strongly admonish
individuals and groups who are creating communal divide in the country.
2. Punishment of those responsible for attacks on minorities and their
institutions, which is also an attack on the multi-cultural body politic
of India.
3. Swift, transparent and credible trial and punishment for all those
involved in such activities whatever the religion they may profess.
4. A comprehensive Communal Violence Bill in place of the one pending
in the Parliament.
5. Immediate implementation of police reforms, providing equipment and
training, basic service conditions to police personnel and state
security forces. Active facilitation of community participation in
security and intelligence gathering.
6. Evolve a policy for legal action against hate speech and
demonization of any religion or community.
