I’m not sure western nations will refuse to import or export their products to India if they witness the oppression of minorities in the country. This might have well been the case in the heyday of Western colonialism. The British, French, Dutch, and Belgians sent out their missionaries for practical reasons, as well as for their sincere belief that Christianity, with its innate goodness, would help their subjects lead more enlightened lives in time. And it jolly well did.
For example, the elimination of untouchability, hijacked by Gandhi, who previously underwent the purification ceremony on his return from England. I got to witness the commitment of the Christian missionaries in Kenya, East Africa. One particular missionary was an Italian, who laboured in Christ’s vineyard in the countryside. One of his parishioners – an infrequent user of soap and water – on meeting him, blew his nose, wiped his snotty fingers on his shirt, proferred his hand in greeting, and said with all the goodwill in the world, “Jambo, Father”. Without the slightest hesitation, the priest responded with a smile and a warm handshake. He would embrace each penitent sinner after hearing his confession. Instead of imputing unworthy motives to Mother Theresa, why don’t her critics descend into the gutters and pick up those pieces of human flotsam discarded by their Hindu brethren?
Kushwant Singh, India’s famous Sardarji (sadly no more), once truthfully said that although Christianity was a minority religion, its beneficial impact on India was totally out of comparison to the numbers who professed this faith. Hindus do not scruple to queue up to join Christian educational institutions, but sadly, I have yet to evidence any voices raised in protest at the targeting of this minority community.
In his recent visit to France, Narendra Modi made his usual pithy, lofty pronouncement that he would ensure the protection of all faiths. Obviously, something is wrong in India for him to make this promise to allay his hosts. In any case, it would indeed be stupid and naive for us Christians in India to take him at his word, or expect the French or Germans to come to our rescue and threaten to stop doing business with India if Christian minorities continue to be marginalized. Europe is living in the post-Christian era. Church attendances have fallen drastically. These countries must continue to manufacture and export quality goods to us, or perish. The European community, beset as it is with its own economic problems, can hardly be expected to jeopardize their very existence for the sake of us Christians in India. It is high time Christians sat up and took notice.
