Sign Up “Change Hosanna” On-line Petition

Eek Deewana Tha poster

MUMBAI, (Joseph Dias) –  Change Hosanna Petition: http://www.change.org/petitions/the-government-authorities-and-cbfc-get-the-word-hosanna-removed-from-the-song-2?share_id=DHNvCQMHRD

YouTube link to show how vulgar the song Hosanna has been made into: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SDb7FTuHIk
The CSF welcomes popular Indian author Chetan Bhagat who reportedly said at the Jaipur Literature Festival that he would not make Salman Rushdie a hero for “attacking God” and religious sentiments in India have to be respected.
“I’ll not make somebody who attacks my God a hero. This is India, you cannot hurt feelings here,” he said.
The same should hold good in case of Hosanna by AR Rahman and Javed Akhtar.
The CSF deplores double standards when it comes to Christians

If Salman Rushie could be prevented from coming to India because one of his books hurt Muslim religious sentiments, then why should the word ‘Hosanna’, offending Christians & Jews, not be deleted from the Eek Deewana Tha movie?
Is it because Christians and Jews cannot make as loud a noise or disturbance as others?
Why are the authorities slow in acting or responding, when it comes to micro-minorities? It is because we do not make our voice heard.

The above is just one of the reasons for Indian Christians to unite and at least say our sentiments are hurt or be threatened to live on the sidelines until we are extinct.
In J & K valley the few hundred odd Christian families there are threatened to be expelled, while a Sharia Court has proposed control over Christian schools and institutions – threatening their existence there. In other states, we battle not just the extra-constitutional authorities, but also in thousands of cases – the might of the Police State and the challenges that come from a communally coloured official establishment.

We have a number of more serious issues to attend to than “Hosanna” and nor have we the Vitamin M (Men, Money & Machinery) that MNCs like Fox Star, Sony Music & the others have for a long legal battle. But YOU can help us take on their might, if we can show that Christian sentiments are hurt, as we did in the case of many movies, the latest being “Who’s There” when persons concerned were put in custody for several days.

The CSF has made it easy for you, by putting up an online petition to The Prime Minister and request you to sign it. It will go directly to him and we will send it to the others concerned. Your petition to get the word “Hosanna” removed from the song is available at.
http://www.change.org/petitions/the-government-authorities-and-cbfc-get-the-word-hosanna-removed-from-the-song-2?share_id=DHNvCQMHRD
We do not have much time to left and so we would appeal to you to sign the petition and forward the above link to as many as possible to sign it too.
The CSF intercessors & prayer group members continue their prayers pray for those who assist us in this initiative.

RABBI teleserial inauguration on 25 January

DD1 RABBI Kannada television serial poster

KOLKATA, (C.M. Paul) — The first-ever Kannada teleserial with a Christian theme, entitled ‘RABBI’ will begin telecast on the National channel – DD1 and Chandana on weekends, beginning Saturday, 4th February 2012, 7.30 to 8 pm. Produced by Mytri Creations it can be viewed globally wherever the Doordarshan channel ‘footprint’ falls.

Producer-director Mr. Edward Shamprasad, says that the project has been appreciated by almost all Christian leaders in the country including the Archbishop of Bangalore.

“We find that his effort to communicate God’s purpose and promises to present day challenges faced by people, is commendable” says General Secretary of the Bible Society of India Rev. Mani Chacko.

“This is a rare attempt as there is a dearth of material with a Christian theme for Kannada audience. That is why this project has my complete support”, adds Chairman, Evangelical Fellowship of India Dr. Atul Aghamkar.

The dedication of the mega serial will be held at a function on 25th January 2012 at Paalana Bhavana, behind Archbishop’s House,Bangalorein the presence of eminent citizens and glitterati from the religious, political and cine world.

The teleserial portrays the challenges faced by three generations of a middle-class Indian Christian family and as to how their faith in Christ helps them to cope. The life of Jesus is also depicted in a story-within-story format in the course of the serial. Some snippets are available on YouTube.com, which can be accessed by typing ‘mytri creations’.

“Each episode costs about 50K and telecasting another 20K,” the producer tells soliciting  organizations to join as production partners.

“Please pray and support the ministry by buying advertising space, which will help to finance the project,” says Shamprasad, he who can be contacted on FacBook or at mytricreations@gmail.com or www.mytricreations.org

Vincentians open prayer house in Kolkata

VC Provincial Fr Arackal reading the official decree of erection by the congregation and archdiocese.

KOLKATA, (C.M. Paul) – The Vincentian religious order of Potta and Muringoor fame set up their first house of prayer in Kolkata, 22 January 2012. At a solemn Eucharist presided over by Coadjutor archbishop Thomas D’Souza of Calcutta along with some 20 priests, Vincentian Ashram Kolkata was blessed and inaugurated. Present at the occasion were General Councilor of the Vincentians Fr Mathew Pothalil, provincial of St Joseph’s Vincentian province Fr George Arackal (Sr), as well as Mother General of the Missionaries of Charity, provincials of Salesians of Don Bosco and Loreto Sisters, and some 150 laity and religious.

The Vincentian ashram was the generous gift of Mrs Mary Catherine Sinha wife of late Adhis Chandra Sinha who donated her two storey villa and half acre property for adoration and prayer. While Mrs Sinha occupies the top floor, the ground floor and a two storey outhouse is given to the Vincentians who prayed for many years to start their ministry of spiritual animation in Kolkata.

Coadjutor archbishop Thomas D'Souza offering shawl and bouquet to Mrs. Mary Catherine Sinha

Incidentally, Mrs Sinha who attended the Wednesday prayer meeting of the CCCRS (Calcutta Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services) at Sacred Heart Church Dharamthala under the direction of Salesian Fr. C.J. Sebastian is alleged to have had a vision to donate her property for Eucharistic adoration, prayer, intercession and counseling. The ashram situated near Minto Park locality on Sarat Bose Road falls under the territorial jurisdiction of St Thomas Parish Middleton Row.

The Vincentian Congregation (VC) is a clerical society of Syro-Malabar Church of Pontifical right with it’s generalate at Edapally in the archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly. It was founded on 20^th November 1904 as an ashram at Thottakam near Vaikom (Kerala) by Fr Varkey Kattarath. Their religious life is based on the common rules of St Vincent de Paul founder of the Congregation of the Missions.

The VCs were raised to Pontifical right on 11 February 1968 when they were entrusted with Satna mission in Madhya Pradesh. In 1990, the VCs were divided into three provinces. Currently the VCs have two bishops, 455 priests, 168 major seminarians and 191 minor seminarians working in 77 centres in India (Kerala, Tamilnadu, M.P., Maharashtra, Andhra, Paschimbango) and abroad (East Africa, Brazil, Europe and North America).

Memorial slab at Vincentian Ashram Kolkata

In October 2006, the VCs started their first foundation in Paschimbango at Jalarkhalli near Krishnagar. Their Bengali publication from Jalarkalli Retreat Centre today has over 6,000 subscribers running into some 60,000 (sixty thousand) readers. The VCs have a third centre in Paschimbango at Chopra in Raiganj diocese.

The VC charism includes evangelization, helping clergy in pastoral activities, retreats, intercession, adoration and counseling. The Kolkata ashram under the leadership of Fr Cherian will hold daily public Eucharistic adoration from 8 am to 8 pm with the recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet from 3 pm to 4 pm. The Kolkata ashram comes under St Joseph’s Province Kottayam.

Use of Hosanna – no hurt or insult intended say those involved; apologize and remove says CSF

MUMBAI (Joseph Dias CSF) – Fox Star Studio on their own behalf and that of the producers, RS Infotainment and Photon Khataas have in a communication to The CSF (The Catholic-Christian Secular Forum) said that neither they, nor the artist (AR Rahman) or lyricist (Javed Akhtar) “intended to insult or hurt any individual or organisations’ religious sentiments or beliefs.”

The CSF response is, “intentional or not, the use of “Hosanna” in the movie “Ekk Deewana Tha” is sacrilegious and has resulted in hurting the religious sentiments of the Christians and Jews around the world. We would therefore demand that if those concerned are genuine about their intentions, then an apology be issued immediately and the word Hosanna be deleted from the song, failing which The CSF would seek legal redressal to act against them” said the CSF General Secretary Mr. Joseph Dias.

The CSF after legal counsel is of the opinion that the letter from those concerned, that rather than rectifying the situation, they have resorted to justifying use of “Hosanna” with no regret or remorse and will decide on their future course of action soon, along with other community groups.

The CSF General Secretary further pointed out that Hosanna is not a “greeting or blessing”, but a prayer, which is sacred and uttered reverentially in Christian and Jewish liturgies, refering to God or Jesus Christ. It is akin to chalisas and mantras (Hinduism), azaan (Islam) or the scriptural chants, verses and worship prayers of any other faith.

“I find it difficult to pray, ever since I heard Hosanna in the song and it disturbs me. No other religion will tolerate such abuse and hence, have been spared. There would have been riots the world over. Are we being singled out because we don’t make enough noise?” Joseph Dias added.

Meanwhile, the CSF has in a notice to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) called upon the authority to enforce the law, terming the mention as violation of at least Section 5B of The Cinematograph Act, 1952, which specifies the principles for guidance in certifying films. The CSF points out that these are -
(1) A film shall not be certified for public exhibition if, in the opinion of the authority competent to grant the certificate, the film or any part of it is against the interests of (2) the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or involves defamation or contempt of court or is likely to incite the commission of any offence.

The CSF also calls upon the CBFC to deny a certificate on the above ground and if a certificate has been issued, then to withdraw the same. It has urged the Union Information and Broadcasting ministry to issue additional directions to the CBFC, on issues of religious nature to also seek the opinion of the heads of the faiths concerned before sanctioning films for public exhibition. This is provided for under sub-section (2) of the said Section (5B) of The Cinematograph Act, 1952

AR Rahman in a reported media interview said that he had spent “several months doing research before composing the song and consulted friends who are Christian about the usage” to which the CSF replies – “all Rahman had to do was Google or ask the clergy or religious heads, who are the appropriate authorities.
Another justification sought to be made out is that the Hosanna mention was earlier made in the Tamil version of the film, to which there was no outcry. The CSF points out that a mention in the vernacular, with limited reach, could have possibly be missed, but not in the national language, Hindi and English, which is being commercially exploited. The vast expanse of Bollywood ensures all those involved make a fast buck at the cost the religion of others.

The CSF general Secretary concluded that the Hosanna usage in the context of a story that has the boy, falling in love with a girl – who belongs to an orthodox Malayali Christian family, where watching movies, partying or falling in love are completely taboo  – is mocking and ridiculing the faith of the person. It is insulting to make a song and dance of the scripture of any religion and in very bad taste. It is not absolutely essential to the film and those responsible can certainly do without it.

Part of the Holy Mass
According to The CSF, Hosanna is not a common parlance religious terminology and is part of The Sanctus (Latin: Holy), a hymn from Christian liturgy, forming part of the Order of Mass. The Sanctus is sung or said as the final words of the Preface of the Eucharistic Prayer, the prayer of consecration of the bread and wine. The Roman Missal, which is used daily by Catholics has The Sanctus as:
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
The “Hosanna Anthem”, based on the phrase Hosanna, is a traditional Moravian anthem written by Bishop Christian Gregor sung on Palm Sunday and the first Sunday of Advent. It is antiphonal, i.e. a call-and-response song for worshipers and religious followers in the rituals.

Festival Prayer in Judaism
Among the Jews, Hosanna means “please save or save now”. In Jewish liturgy, the word is applied specifically to the Hoshana Service, a cycle of prayers from which a selection is sung each morning during Sukkot, the Feast of Booths or Tabernacles. The complete cycle is sung on the seventh day of the festival, which is called Hoshana Rabbah, “Great Hosanna”. This festival was associated with a ceremonial drawing of water which, it was believed, secured fertilizing rains in the following year; the penalty for abstinence was drought.
From: The Catholic-Christian Secular Forum (CSF)
+91 9769 55 56 57 csfpost@gmail.com

Mega Bible Convention Marks Holiday Weekend in Kolkata

R to L : Bp Cyprian Monis, Abp Thomas D'Souza, Salesian Provincial Thomas and Fr Orson Wells.

KOLKATA, (C.M. Paul) – Calcutta’s leading charismatic group inaugurated a four day Bible Convention on the annual holiday. The event organized by Calcutta Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services (CCCRS) started off with a solemn concelebrated Eucharist presided over by Coadjutor archbishop Thomas D’Souza of Calcutta along with founding member Bishop Cyprian Monis of neighbouring Asansol diocese. Some 20 priests and a thousand faithful participated at the inaugural function which started off at 9 am, Friday, 20 January at St Paul’s  school Grounds, Kidderpore adjacent to Daughter’s of the Cross (FC) provincial house.

The registration at the convention is free and participants are served free mid-day snacks and refreshments.

Over the weekend, the organizers expect over 3,000 faithful to attend. The programme is scheduled to be concluded on 23 January, Bengal’s illustrious freedom fighter Netaji Subash Chandra Bose’s birthday.

Welcoming the participants, the CCCRS founder & spiritual director Salesian Fr C.J. Sebastian recalled 15 years of CCCRS activities for spiritual renewal in Calcutta archdiocese.

The CCCRS choir at the Bible Convention 2012

The convention started with the CCCRS choir leading the congregation in prayer and praise. It was followed by the solemn enthronement of the Holy Bible brought to the podium by CCCRS Chairman Mr Raymond Baptist.

This year’s convention is termed as “4-day family retreat to hear the mighty proclamation of the Word and the Life-Changing Gospel.”

Besides being popular evangelization and catechesis, the event is intended to be a celebration of  “God’s love, healing and abundant graces,” said powerful preacher of the Word Fr M. John MSFS from Divine Redeemer Retreat Center at Umroi near Shillong. He is ably assisted by his equally gifted confrere Fr M.K. Regi.

The CCCRS today has charismatic service open for all every Wednesday, including healing service and adoration at Sacred Heart Church Dharmotalla (Lenin Sarani). On Fridays the group leads evening prayer service at Christ the King Church Park Circus. Every Saturday, Eucharistic adoration service is held at Sacred Heart Church Dharamotalla, and every Monday the CCCRS members gather for Intercession at Don Bosco Nitika. The group also publishes a bi-monthly spiritual renewal publication called STREAMS.

Calcutta Archbishops Meet and Greet Media Personnel

• 

  Meet & Greet the Media 2012

  KOLKATA (C.M. Paul) – Salesian archbishop Lucas Sirkar and archbishop coadjutor Thomas D’Souza of Calcutta held a ‘meet and greet’ of media personnel, 17th January 2012, on the lawns of Archbishop’s House, 32 Mother Teresa Sarani (Park Street).  It was the first time such a programme was organized during the 125th year celebration of the founding of archdiocese of Calcutta (1886).

Speaking to The Herald, Archbishop of Calcutta Lucas Sirkar said “Service to humanity is service to God. We have a mission of service in Education, Health Care and Social Development. We are going to organize a series of events this year to mark the completion of 125 years of the Archdiocese of Calcutta”.

Co-adjutor Archbishop Thomas D’Souza ofCalcuttaadded, “We have already opened a 70-bed Hospital at Midnapore, to serve the sick, especially the poor, including Leprosy, TB and HIV/AIDS patients in that area. We aspire to reach out to the poor and marginalized children, youth and women in the areas of education, health care and empowerment to the maximum extent possible.”

Director, Social Communication, Archdiocese of Calcutta Fr. Sunil Rozario said, “We are hopeful. We want everybody’s participation, involvement in this holy mission of service to society.”

Fr. Dominic Gomes, Archdiocesan Spokesperson said, “We sincerely believe there is no higher religion than human service, and to work for the common good is our greatest creed.”

The event also had a short power point presentation on the archdiocese as well as the launch of the newly designed website of the Archdiocese of Calcuttahttp://www.archdioceseofcalcutta.in

Besides listing information on the Archdiocese, the Archbishop, Diocesan officials and various Commissions, the website has detailed information on schools, social, health and youth services.

“We have designed the site with a simple and friendly look which allows uncomplicated access to the information to visitors. It also facilitates diocesan officials to make relevant updates easily, without any technical knowledge,” claim the website’s developers.

In the course of the evening, the prelates met, greeted and interacted with some 20 media personnel, both from the print and electronic media. They also had chance to meet and chat with the diocesan commission heads.

Christianity in India, though started in 52AD by St Thomas the Apostle of Jesus Christ, has today approximately 24 million followers, constituting 2.4% of India’s population. Christianity in West Bengal is a minority consisting of about 0.6% of the population.

In West Bengal, the Archdiocese of Calcutta is the Metropolitan archdiocese with seven dioceses (Asansol, Baruipur, Bagdogra, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Krishnagar and Raiganj) linked to it.

The Calcutta archdiocese has 37 parishes and 17 quasi parishes served by 224 priests belonging to the diocesan clergy and 10 religious orders, along with 125 brothers and some 950 religious Sisters.

The first Christian settlements in Bengal appeared at the end of the sixteenth century and Bandel Church, perhaps the first church in eastern India, was built in 1599. AtCalcutta, the first Catholic Chapel was established in 1700. The Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Most Holy Rosary on Brabourne Road was started in 1797.

The Vicariate Apostolic of Bengal, with Calcutta as its headquarters was established in 1834 by the Society of Jesus. The Herald, first Catholic weekly of India, an archdiocesan publication  started in 1839. There is also a Bengali language monthly edition of The Herald.

Calcutta Archbishop to Meet and Greet Media Personnel

KOLKATA (C.M. Paul) –Salesian archbishop Lucas Sirkar and archbishop coadjutor Thomas D’Souza of Calcutta will ‘meet and greet’ media personnel, 17th January 2012 at 4.00 pm,  on the lawns of Archbishop’s House, 32 Mother Teresa Sarani (Park Street).  This the first time, that such a programme is being organized during the 125th year celebration of the founding of archdiocese of Calcutta (1886).

In the course of the evening, the prelates will meet and greet and interact with the media personnel who will also have chance to meet and chat with the diocesan commission heads. A short power point presentation on the archdiocese as well as the launch of  the newly designed website of the Archdiocese of Calcutta is also planned.

Besides listing information on the Archdiocese, the Archbishop, Diocesan officials and various Commissions, the website has detailed information on schools, social, health and youth services.

“We have designed the site with a simple and friendly look which allows uncomplicated access to the information to visitors. It also facilitates diocesan officials to make relevant updates easily, without any technical knowledge,” claim the website’s developers.

Christianity in India has approximately 24 million followers, constituting 2.4% of India’s population. Christianity in West Bengal is a minority consisting of about 0.6% of the population.

In West Bengal the Archdiocese of Calcutta is the Metropolitan archdiocese with seven dioceses (Asansol, Baruipur, Bagdogra, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Krishnagar and Raiganj) linked to it.

The Calcutta archdiocese has 37 parishes and 17 quasi parishes served by 224 priests belonging to the diocesan clergy and 10 religious orders, along with 125 brothers and some 950 religious sisters.

The first Christian settlements in Bengal appeared at the end of the sixteenth century and Bandel Church, perhaps the first church in eastern India, was built in 1599. At Calcutta, the first Catholic Chapel was established in 1700. The Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Most Holy Rosary on Brabourne Road was started in 1797.

The Vicariate Apostolic of Bengal, with Calcutta as its headquarters was established in 1834 by the Society of Jesus.

A R Rahman’s Objectionable “Hosanna” Song in Hindi Film “Ekk Deewana Tha”

Poster of the film with HOSANNA song

MUMBAI, (CSF news) — The Catholic-Christian Secular Forum (CSF), takes strong exception to an A R Rahman’s song “Hosanna” in the Hindi movie, “Ekk Deewana Tha” to be released on 17 February, 2012. It has taken up the issue with the authorities concerned to have the song withdrawn. The CSF will launch a public agitation if the same is not heeded. In a complaint to the music director, besides others concerned like Fox Star Studio, Sony Music and all those responsible for the same the CSF demands an apology for the same and urged the authorities to act, as it has hurt not only Christian, but also Jewish religious sentiments, Hosanna being a prayer for both communities.

According to Joseph Dias, The CSF general secretary, “We are not going into the lyrics or vulgar picturisation of the song, which is also objectionable. But, would like to point out that internationally Hosanna is a prayer in the Bible and used by both Jews and Christians, referring to God or Jesus Christ, with strong reverential and religious connotations. The CSF points out that in both these religions, Hosanna is used as follows:

Judaism
“Hoshana” is a Hebrew word meaning please save or save now. In Jewish liturgy, the word is applied specifically to the Hoshana Service, a cycle of prayers from which a selection is sung each morning during Sukkot, the Feast of Booths or Tabernacles. The complete cycle is sung on the seventh day of the festival, which is called Hoshana Rabbah ”Great Hosanna”.

Christianity
“Hosanna” in Greek is the cry of praise or adoration of God, shouted in recognition of the Messiahship of Jesus on his entry into Jerusalem – Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! It is used in the same way in Christian praise. Overall, it seems that “Hosanna” is a cry for salvation – God who saves; while at the same time is a declaration of praise of God and is used with great reverence to Him.

The CSF general Secretary adds “Hence, to use it in a movie where the boy, falls in love with a girl – who belongs to an orthodox Malayali Christian family where watching movies, partying or falling in love are completely taboo  – is mocking and ridiculing the faith of the person. This has hurt religious sentiments and insulted Christian and Jewish beliefs “.

Joseph Dias further questions angrily – “If you would not use Islamic, Hindu or prayers from any other religion in pop secular music, then why do you use Hosanna in a carnal love song of a movie. It trivialises a word that is sacred and uttered with respect by followers of both Christian and Jewish faiths and hence needs to be stopped immediately.

It may be recalled that The CSF and other community groups had only last month complained against those responsible for the movie poster “Who’s There – Kaun Hai Waha” and the director, producer and others concerned had to spend days in custody in Mumbai following police action.

Gautham Menon, the noted south Indian film director is responsible for the film “Ekk Deewana Tha”, which is produced by Reshma Ghatala, Venkat Somasundaram and Javed Akhtar being the lyricist.

Those involved with the Hosanna song, as part of the movie are lead actors – Prateik Babbar and Amy Jackson; singers – Leon D’Souza, Suzanne D’Mello and Blaaze, with additional vocals by Vivek Agarwal, Dr. Narayan, V. V. Prasanna, Haricharan Sesh… Photon Kathaas Production and R.S. Infotainment, besides others are also involved and will be legally acted against.
Pls click the link to view a portion of the HOSANNA song clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SDb7FTuHIk&feature=related
Joseph Dias, MA (Eco) +919769 55 56 57 csfpost@gmail.com www.thecsf.org
General Secretary, The Catholic-Christian Secular Forum (CSF)

DB Alumni Organize Free Eye Camp

Free Eye Camp at Don Bosco Kolkata, 15 Jan 2012

KOLKATA, (C.M. Paul) – Don Bosco Alumni Park Circus Unit, both Day and Night school, organized a free eye camp in the school, Sunday, 15 January, 2012. Some 40 alumni were at hand to facilitate the smooth running of the camp.

About 340 people from the locality, both young and old, lined up for the seven hour camp that began at 10.00 am. The event was jointly sponsored by Eye Pavilion Kolkata and the Rotary Club of Central Calcutta. Six doctors and two assistants tested patients during the day.

The first patient to be examined was Mr Daroga, one of the retired school staff. He was among some 220 people who were prescribed spectacles. They will return to school on 5^th February to collect their free spectacles.

There were 46 cases detected for surgery which will be conducted free of cost in the Eye Pavilion after due free check ups like ECG, and blood test. The remaining patients examined during the four-hour camp were prescribed medication.

“We started this free eye camp some ten years ago during the time of Fr Albert (Thottunkal),” recalled Mr Tapan Das, an alumnus of the 1968 batch.“It is commendable that both Day and Night School Alumni are working together to organize the camp logistics,” Mr Das added.

L to R: Tapan Das and Manoj Jain in the background

Besides sponsoring the event, Mr. Manoj Jain, Past Pupil of Don Bosco School Imphal and currently Secretary of Rotary Club of Central Calcutta, also visited and encouraged the alumni.

Also, in February, DB Alumni of Park Circus will hold a Free check up camp for  Osteoporosis.

 

Ram Puniyani Exposes Hindutva Strategy Against Christians

Prof. Dr. Ram Puniyani

MUMBAI (CSF Report 2011) — Dr. Prof Ram Puniyani is the mentor of Plural India and an authority on Hindutva, having studied the saffron right wing brigade for decades said that the Hindutva affiliates had now clearly turned their attention to Christians, as they found the community to be soft targets, with little fear of retaliation. He said on going through the reports coming in from all over the country, the incidents were widespread and scattered (urban and rural), but more in the latter – Tribal, Adivasi, Mofusil and Backward and. Adivasi areas. It is here, where Christians have been rendering yeoman service (as few fear to tread), that the RSS affiliates like VHP, Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, Bajrang Dal etc have intensified their activities. And the Christians are helpless.

Dr. Prof Ram said that while Muslims have been on the firing line of RSS-Hindutva politics ever since even pre-partition days, the marked vicious attacks against Christians community initially came as a surprise to many. However, the ground for this was being prepared by the RSS affiliates, Swamis and godmen – Swami Aseemanand (in jail as bomb blast accused) in Dangs, Gujarat; followers of Asaram Bapu in Madhya Pradesh and Swami Laxmananand in Orissa and many of their ilk in almost every state of the country. He said that a State where the minorites are not safe, cannot be a thriving secular democracy, with tendencies to become a theocratic State or Hindu Rashtra, as is being sought to convert India into.

He pointed out that the activities of VHP-Bajrang Dal and Hindutva upstarts were intensified to frighten those Christians doing yeoman service in the field of health, education, etc.  The attacks have been preceeded by a constant propaganda that these Christian missionaries are converting by force, fraud and allurement and so are a threat to Hinduism and the nation. But, the declining percentage of Christians in India as per the census figures – 2.60 in 1972, 2.44 in 1981, 2.44 in 1991 and 2.30 in 2001 – exposes this lie. He said that The CSF Report provided the much needed well documented evidence that not only is the saffron right wing brigade live and active, but also that it is thriving with great gusto. This is a threat to India as a nation and hence the need to wake-up, before it is too late.

Dr. Prof. Ram also referred to Wadhva Commission, appointed by NDA, where its report drew attention to the fact that there was no increase in the population of Christians in the area where Pastor Graham Stains was working and that neither was he working for conversions. ” Christianity is an age-old Indian religion, when disciples of Jesus, in 52 A.D – St Thomas, established churches on southern coast and St. Bartholomew, also around the same time came to the western coast, making Indian Christians go back over 2000 years, even before it came to the west “, he concluded.

Human Rights Activist Ms. Saumya Uma

Ms. Saumya Uma says Kids & Women worst affected
An independent consultant on gender and human rights issues, who played an integral part in the Tribunal on Orissa Anti-Christian Violence, described the plight of women and children, which was the same irrespective where the communal attack took place.

There is documentation to prove that there is at least one major attack on Christians every day, which makes it a minimum of 365 attacks, involving at least so many children, if not more. According to Saumya – The impact of communal violence on an unformed mind is indeed shattering and adverse in more than one ways. Children are often voiceless, defenseless and silent observers to the perpetration of such crimes, which affects them more psychologically, than physically. But, apart from this, other effects, include – deprivation of basic education, malnutrition even in refugee camps, fear and financial insecurity, parents fear sending children out, trafficking for child labour and abuse, separation and displacement, disease and injuries, post traumatic disorders, become revengeful and social misfits.

Ms. Saumya Uma also pointed out that the most vulnerable section of victims, after children is that of women as noticed in studies on gender violence in the anti-Christian violence. Nuns who are known for their celibacy, and sisters, like wives or daughters of pastors or community leaders, are especially targeted. Several cases have been recorded, where apart from the sexual abuse, such as rape and molestation, the victims face problems with their reproductive organs, suffer miscarriages/abortions, have issues during giving birth to children, freedom of movement restrictions, etc.

Ms. Saumya Uma said that the victims and their families could not resume their livelihood, due to social pressure and ostracism, much time being spent due in pursuing justice, suffering psychological traumas, non availability of women doctors & medical attention, inhuman state of refugee camps… ” The women often do not complain for fear of the allegation that it was not rape, but consensual sex on a regular basis and being susceptible to human trafficking, menial jobs, etc. Often women are targeted not for sexual gratification, but to heap humiliation on the males, who are putting up a fight “, she added