On 17th of February, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made three statements at a function organized by the Christian community to celebrate the beatification of two Indians by Pope Francis late last year. The statements were first, “I condemn all incidents of violence where religious minorities were targeted”; second, “No religious group can incite violence … my government will ensure there is complete freedom of faith”, and third, “My government will not allow any religious group, belonging to the majority or the minority, to incite hatred against others, overtly or covertly.” These statements had brought relief to the minorities especially the Christians, who needed an assurance after a series of attacks on religious places in the national capital. However, these statements would make sense only if the Prime Minister had acted upon the incidences of violence and hate speeches.
But on 22nd February, his mentor RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat made a statement that ‘The main objective behind Mother Teresa’s service to the poor was that of conversion to Christianity’. This statement qualifies for action according to the third statement made by PM Modi. Bhagwat is inciting hatred overtly as well as covertly. What Bhagwat says lacks evidence of facts and is based on ignorance and therefore is a blatant lie that needs to be condemned by taking appropriate action as per the law of this land. By making such statements against a person, whom the Christians venerate and give utmost reverence, Bhagwat is mocking the minorities and their beliefs and sentiments. I would just like to quote the great soul Mother Teresa herself who said, ‘There is only one God and He is God to all; therefore it is important that everyone is seen as equal before God.’
I’ve always said we should help a Hindu become a better Hindu, a Muslim becomes a better Muslim and a Catholic becomes a better Catholic’.
Nevertheless there are other supporters of Bhagwat such as Ms. Meenakshi Lekhi who quoted Mother Teresa’s words, ‘A lot of people confuse me as a social worker, but I am not a social worker. I am in the service of Jesus and my job is to spread the word of Christianity and bring people to its fold’. Ms. Lekhi needs to be condemned as well as she can’t understand these words, as her mind is overflowing with words. Being at the service of your God, spreading his word that is ‘love and forgiveness’ and bringing many to the path of love and forgiveness does not mean conversion to Christianity. It simply means conversion to being a good human being within the religion you belong to. Therefore, such statements need to be condemned and the Prime Minister needs to walk the talk.
