Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Calcutta (Fides Service) - Donations in aid of tsunami victims must not find their way to the pockets of Hindu fundamentalist groups which spread religious hatred and social discriminate, Indian citizens resident in the United States told Fides with regard to a campaign called “Campaign to Stop Funding Hate”. The organisers warn donors not to send donations through associations and agencies which fail to respect the values of democracy, pluralism and harmony among all believers and which are known for propagating religious and social division in the Federation of India.
The campaign recalls the discrimination used with regards aid to victims of the 1999 cyclone in Orissa and the 2001 earthquake in Gujarat. On both occasions aid organised by fundamentalist groups was denied to Muslims and Christians and this led to more hatred and enmity.
George Abraham, a member of the campaign said that on both occasions fundamentalist groups took advantage of natural disasters to collect funds which they then managed with ideological discrimination of certain groups in need. “Unequal aid distribution creates not only social tension it also deepens fractures at the level of caste and religion”.
Following the tsunami, Hindu fundamentalist groups such as Hindu Swayamsewak (HSS), Sewa International, Vishwa Hindu Parishad America appealed for funds to help the victims but -Abraham said - they are connected with violent and intolerant organisations firmly rooted in India, like Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), known for numerous acts of violence against Christians and Muslims.
Through Fides Abraham appealed to donors in America and elsewhere in the world, “send your funds only through associations known to uphold values of pluralism, democracy, social and religious harmony”.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 12/1/2005 righe 29 parole 289)
