by Nirmala Carvalho

Lenin Raguvanshi, director of the People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (Pvchr), comments on Benedict XVI’s messgae for the 46th World Day of Peace. Among the threats to a "sustainable peace", male selfishness in male-female relationships, which leads to violence, such as New Delhi rape or selective abortions. The "fundamental" role of religion, against extreme forms of secularism that hinder peace.

Mumbai (AsiaNews) - A "powerful" call to be received "with hope and courage," to "help and guide the nations of the world to create pluralist democracies" and "sustainable peace". Lenin Raghuvanshi, director of the People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (Pvchr) in Varanasi, thus welcomes the Message of Benedict XVI for the 46th World Day of Peace, on the topic "Blessed are the peacemakers." Speaking to AsiaNews the Indian activist, a layman, stresses the importance of the Pope's words, in a difficult social and political time for India, still shaken by the New Delhi rape, which has reignited the debate on violence against women and human dignity, and hit by scandals of corruption of its ruling class.

Raguvanshi points to what Benedict XVI said on the "dominance of a selfish and individualistic mentality" in society. For the activist, in India and in the world the male-female relationship is characterized by "a male selfishness, which seeks to destroy the woman and all those most vulnerable," such as Dalits and tribal communities, but also the victims of selective abortions.

"In his message - says Raghuvanshi - the Holy Father correlated peace with the gap between rich and poor. Peace without justice is a symptom of a culture of silence and impunity." This, he explains, "means that we need to support the countries and peoples in need. What is the message of Jesus, why was he born into a poor family? In order to bring dignity to the poorest. Nobody is excluded from the grace and dignity conferred by the glory of God, the gap between rich and poor is not democratic "and" is generating conflicts around the world. "

Citing a fundamental point of the message, in which the pope said that "peace is the gift of God to man," the secular activist emphasizes "the crucial role of religion and spirituality in the life of every person." "Today - he explains - even extreme forms of secularism are an obstacle to peace.Whatever kind of extremist ideology creates problems is dangerous and leads to violence. Extremism in the form of terrorism (the others must conform to my beliefs), made with individual or state actions, is dangerous for sustainable peace. "

According to Lenin Raghuvanshi "theology is very important to involve humans in the peace process."

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