Is India Still United In Diversity?
“I do not expect India of my dreams to develop one religion, i.e., to be wholly Hindu or wholly Christian or wholly Mussalman, but I want it to be wholly tolerant, with its religions working side by side with one another.”
Mahatma Gandhi.
India has been known for its unity in diversity, a country where Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Christians all live together in harmony. A country where Diwali is also celebrated by Christians and Muslims, where even Hindus bow their head in front of Jesus and Mother Mary in churches. What happened to such a secular country?
Five churches of Delhi were vandalized in the last two months. St. Sebastian’s Church, Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Church of Resurrection, Our Lady of Graces Church, St. Alphonsa’s Church are those churches that bore the brunt of hatred in the name of religion. The interiors of St. Sebastian’s Church, Dilshad Garden, were destroyed in a fire, stones were thrown at a Syro-Malabar Catholic Church during the holy time of mass and Our Lady of Graces Church was allegedly vandalized by two men.
Where is the humanity, fellow Indians? All holy books encompass the same teaching– Love, Peace, Harmony. Protesters have been carrying placards reading “Enough is Enough, What are the police doing?” and can be still seen gathered outside the city’s main Catholic Sacred Heart Cathedral in central New Delhi. Even after this hue and cry, Prime Minister is silent on the issue. In the backdrop of these attacks, he should have come forward and issued a statement. He should give confidence to the believers. The Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said here that the government would not tolerate any discrimination on the basis of caste or religion and directed the Delhi Police to ensure the security of churches and other places of worship, but on the other hand, they refused to sit for a meeting proposed by the priests regarding this issue.
I don’t know about the political viewpoint. I would rather sit at home and pray for India and its people, hoping Almighty will hear my prayer.
Note: This is an article by Betsy T from Campazine, currently featured on Simple Insights.
