Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bhopal (Fides Service) - To promote harmony between different religious communities, in respecting the prerogatives guaranteed by the Indian Constitution; to eliminate all forms of discrimination against members of religious minorities, ensuring full laity to the action of the Government of Madhya Pradesh (central India ): are the requests on behalf of the Council of Catholic Bishops of Madhya Pradesh in an open letter sent to Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister of the state.
The Bishops' initiative comes after the controversy recorded in recent days, when Prabath Jha, President of the state and political leader of the Hindu nationalist party "Bharatiya Janata Party" (BJP), gave public speeches inciting religious hatred and violence against Christians (see Fides 17/6/2011).
The text of the letter, sent to Fides, remembers the steps of the Indian Constitution which clearly states that all citizens are equal and enjoy equal rights, without distinction of creed, caste, culture, ethnicity. This is why the Bishops are asking the Prime Minister, also a member of the BJP but with the reputation of a leader with moderate ideas, to enforce all the constitutional guarantees of which even the Christians, as citizens of India, are full owners.
The text suggests to introduce "good teachings of all religions", to deal with the campaign of hatred and defamation that Hindu extremist groups lead against Christians and Muslims. It also calls upon the Government not to discriminate in involving any kind of religious community in government programs, particularly with regards to access to education, which is a fundamental right of all. The Bishops invite to carry out a policy characterized by secularism and respect of cultural and religious pluralism that mark the whole of India. Such attitudes, the Bishops noted, will help to build social and religious harmony in Madhya Pradesh, while maintaining the spirit of the Indian Constitution. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 06/24/2011)
