Indian bishops meet head of Hindu party: a 'wasted opportunity'
Amit Shah is the chairman of the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. A "casual encounter". Talks focus on domestic issues, not main arguments for the Christian minority. The political goal of the visit is to attract Christian electorate.
Thiruvananthapuram (AsiaNews) - Amit Shah, president of the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, met in Kerala with some Indian bishops representing the various rites of the Catholic Church and some Orthodox Churches. The meeting took place last June 2 in Kochi, the state's commercial capital in southern India.
According to A.P. Jimmy, spokesman for the Syrian-Malabar Church, it was a "casual visit. Since [Shah] is the leader of the party that governs the country, issues related to Kerala were tackled, such as agriculture and other issues. " According to some commentators, it was a wasted opportunity for the bishops who should have tackled more pressing questions for the Christian community, such as the visit of the Pope to India or the abduction of Fr. Tom Uzellallil, the Salesian abducted in Yemen in March 2016.
The meeting took place in the local Revival Center and the participants included, Card. Moran Mar Baselios Cleemis, President of the Indian Bishops' Conference (CBC), and Card. George Alencherry, Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church.
Speaking to AsiaNews Fr. AXJ Bosco, director of CITRA, Jesuit Social Center, states: "Our leaders should not hesitate in openly and courageously speaking about our concerns in front of the BJP leaders. Hindu fundamentals are frankly encouraged by the BJP. [Prime Minister Narendra] Modi speaks of peace and freedom, but does not do what he says. "
Referring to the beef ban imposed by the government of the Union throughout the country and strongly opposed in Kerala a strong opposition from the local administration, the activist priest emphasizes: "Although our leaders are not talking about Christian themes, they must talk about human rights. "
Commentators see a purely political connotation to the encounter, in the attempt of Hindu nationalists to gain political consensus among state Christians, who account for 18-20% of the electorate in Kerala. Paul Paul Thelakat, former spokesman for the Syrian-Malabar Church, believes there is "nothing wrong with meeting a political party leader. But bishops must go to a politician when there are reasonable issues that also affect the same bishops. The fact that the bishops of Kerala showed enthusiasm at the meeting with the BJP president, whose policies and programs are known to everyone, could give a wrong message. "
"We know," he adds, "despite the demands of the CBC, the Government of India has not invited Pope Francis. Moreover, in many parts of the country, Christians live in fear. In Kerala there are objections to the government's work. If the opportunity had been used to listen to our fears then it would be welcome. From what I learned, some concerns about Christian minorities were presented".
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