http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31818&articlexml=EXCLUSIVE-QA-Attempts-to-Make-India-Saffron-Pak-17032015002035
Mar 17 2015 : The Economic Times (Mumbai) EXCLUSIVE Q&A - Attempts to Make India Saffron Pak Won't Work JULIO RIBEIRO RETIRED IPS OFFICER PM must tell enough is enough to fringe right emboldened in last 9 months, says Ribeiro Retired IPS officer Julio Ribeiro kicked up a storm on Monday with his deeply personal article in the Indian Express expressing anguish as an Indian Christian who feels unsafe and alienated in his own country, in the wake of a series of assaults targeting the Christian community.In an interview with Vasudha Venugopal, he says Prime Minister Narendra Modi needs to tell right wing fringe groups to shut up, and walk the talk of development for all: What was the provocation to say that you don't feel safe in the country any more? A lot has happened in the last nine months. Whenever I meet people of my community, I sense a certain fear in them. That was not there before. They all want to know why churches are being attacked. The Christian community feels it is under a siege. The Modi government was voted to bring in development for all and turn around the economy but all we heard in the last nine months was `ghar wapsi', love jihad and attacks on churches. This was not why they were voted for. What can the government do to make the minorities feel safer? Modi is a powerful man. He exudes power. If he wants, he can shut up the fringe in a minute, unless he fears he will lose their support, in which case it is a betrayal of trust of people who voted him to power for good governance and development. The PM did speak against the attacks on churches but almost immediately there was a verbal attack on Mother Teresa. Speaking alone won't help. The PM has to tell his people, "enough is enough." He has to do it as he is the PM, and he has to uphold the Constitution -make all communities feel safe.The fringe group of the right has existed for many years but they have been emboldened in the last nine months. It is very clear their voices have become shriller and their presence, widespread.The VHP says the unit of Bajrang Dal in Goa will ensure conversions of Christians converted years ago by Portuguese. Isn't it a ridiculous statement? What is your reaction to accusations that you have overreacted? I feel if one doesn't speak against the wrongs happening now, it will be too late. People need to know that attempts to make India a saffron Pakistan will not work and should not be encouraged. India is where people from different religions, communities live. We are not Pakistan but we can get there if certain people and their actions are not opposed. I may be over reacting but I feel it is my responsibility to oppose this openly. What about the government claim that attacks on churches were robberies and not communal in nature? If it is a coincidence, it is a rather strange coincidence. That the government is thinking all these sixseven attacks on churches are acts of robberies is surprising. Why have the churches suddenly become a place to plunder for robbers? Are there no other places for the robbers...churches don't have wealth in there and people know that. What is your comment to RSS chief's remarks that Mother Teresa's methods of using charity to convert people was not right? Doubting the good work of Mother Teresa only reflects how some people think. It is worrying to think that only the Hindu community should be allowed to do charity here. The problem that many have with Christians is conversions. I do admit some fringe Christian groups convert people in large numbers but the government should find out who they are and take action against them. Mass conversions should be opposed as they create problems in society but it is a thing of the past. Five centuries ago, Christian missionaries just like Arab traders and Ottoman soldiers went around the world propagating a one true religion. My forefathers may have been converted in one of those ceremonies but the question is, can they happen now? No! Click To Enlarge Click To Enlarge Click To Enlarge Click To Enlarge Click To Enlarge -- Peace Is Doable -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
