Sajan K George: False, divisive accusations against Christian missionaries. Religious hatred growing
BJP politician Bharat Singh said that Christian missionaries are a threat to the unity and integrity of India. Since 2014, when Narendra Modi's party took office, hate speech has grown by 490%.
Mumbai (AsiaNews) - "It is biased, divisive and false". With these words Sajan K George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) roundly condemns the statements of Bharat Singh, a member of the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party, Hindu nationalist party) and elected in Parliament in Ballia constituency, Uttar Pradesh.
On April 21st he declared to the cameras that "Christian missionaries are a threat to the unity and integrity of India" and that the Congress party "is controlled by them". According to Sajan K George, these statements have "one intent: to sow discord among religious communities".
The president of the GCIC complains that "since 2014 [that is, since the BJP led by Narendra Modi took over the federal government, ed] hate speech by prominent representatives of the Hindu nationalist party have increased by 490%, based on a survey by the NDTV. These speeches encourage and authorize violence against vulnerable minorities ".
According to the Christian leader, India " he country is going to difficult times, the daily vulnerability of the girl child and the situation of the Dalit are making news headlines every day, and inorder to deflect pressing issues, this BJP MP’s remarks are an example of saffronising propaganda , by raising the baseless and divisive comments of Christian missionaries. "
The alleged threat to the democratic stability of India, as feared by the politician of Uttar Pradesh, does not actually exist. Sajan K George recalls that "the Government Census of 2011, show that Christian population is about 2.3% of total Indian Population. Importantly, the Governemnt Census records the Decadal Growth rate of Christianity fell from 22.52 % to 15.5% in 2001-2011".
What is most relevant, he emphasizes, " the contribution of the Christian missionary to Indian society is documented by academic scholars. History cannot denied unless rewritten as Hindutva has agenda to do, otherwise it will proof the truth and the truth shall remain".
According to the president of the GCIC, these attempts to intimidate and provoke religious hatred are the basis of another violent episode against Christians. Yesterday Pastor Anand Agaria, from the Balrampur district in Chhattisgarh, was arrested on charges of forced conversions of tribals. After interrogation hours, he was released without charge. "Everything is done to terrorize the faithful and prevent the free adoration of Jesus Christ in India", says Sajan K George.
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21/07/2006
07/02/2019 17:28
