Orissa - one of the poorest states in India is now facing another menace and this time it is created by VHP and Bajrang Dal in a state where BJP is part of Government.
Rioters have their own set of logics and this time around also they are not short of that. They are trying to stop lured religious conversions by imposing "forced" re-conversions. Our Constitution having secular credentials says that there is a freedom of choice for its citizens to choose, pursue and propagate the religion based on their beliefs. But what the writers of our constitution didn't envisaged that there can be conversions by giving economic attractions to poorer community which the Christian missionaries and institutions are doing over the years. This is changing the religious demography in many parts of the country. While there is no doubt that this should be stopped and proper laws should be in place to stop that.
Having said that the other question which is very prominent today is that whether the way VHP and Bajrang Dal are going about it is the only option we have? Is it justified to rape, kill or burn homes because one has changed one's religious belief for the temptation of money or facilities tired of poverty?
The answer is clear on every rational Indian mind. We are a democratic country and there are ways of constructive opposition of what we feel is not right. Every member of any religious belief has equal rights and the administration is responsible for their well-being and protection. Vandalism and mob rule should be crushed by the police force which is formed for the purpose. The barbaric acts with the Govt. indifference and police apathy is the most shameful for any country.
Rioters have their own set of logics and this time around also they are not short of that. They are trying to stop lured religious conversions by imposing "forced" re-conversions. Our Constitution having secular credentials says that there is a freedom of choice for its citizens to choose, pursue and propagate the religion based on their beliefs. But what the writers of our constitution didn't envisaged that there can be conversions by giving economic attractions to poorer community which the Christian missionaries and institutions are doing over the years. This is changing the religious demography in many parts of the country. While there is no doubt that this should be stopped and proper laws should be in place to stop that.
Having said that the other question which is very prominent today is that whether the way VHP and Bajrang Dal are going about it is the only option we have? Is it justified to rape, kill or burn homes because one has changed one's religious belief for the temptation of money or facilities tired of poverty?
The answer is clear on every rational Indian mind. We are a democratic country and there are ways of constructive opposition of what we feel is not right. Every member of any religious belief has equal rights and the administration is responsible for their well-being and protection. Vandalism and mob rule should be crushed by the police force which is formed for the purpose. The barbaric acts with the Govt. indifference and police apathy is the most shameful for any country.
What was the mistake of a girl, working in a church, who was pulled outside the church, gang raped by a mob of 40 Hindu terrorists in full public view with police personnel being the mute spectators and then burnt alive inside the church?
What was the mistake of a nun, who has devoted his life based on his choice of religious belief, who met the same fate?
The only mistake is that she chose a religion which VHP or Hindu outfits didn't want. Thousands of homes of poor people who hardly get food for two times,were burnt and people were rendered homeless. The bombs are thrown even in the refugee camps where they went to live after that! Christian women and men are paraded naked and the mob shouting slogans. And still these mindless activities are not stopped or crushed by people who are sitting in their offices in Government.
Are they not the citizens of India with equal democratic rights and equal right to justice and protection?
It requires no rocket science to infer that these acts have the indirect support of the BJP-BJD Govt. in Orissa. BJP has once again shown how nefarious its designs are against the religious minorities after Gujarat, Orissa and Karnataka.
The perpetrators of these heinous crimes should be brought to the court of law and should be given the exemplary punishment. Strict action must be taken against the police personnel who didn't deliver on the duty and let this gross violation of human rights occur. VHP, Bajrang Dal should be banned and the leaders of the outfit who provoke and instigate these incidents should be dealt firmly with. If BJP want to be a party who believes in the constitution of India must part its way from these hardliners.
Is this the way BJP wants to bring justice to the religious conversions? If this is the way things are when congress is at center, it’s not difficult to imagine what will happen if BJP comes to center with majority of its own. The RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal will be given free hand everywhere and the rapes, killing and burning homes of minorities would be the regular affair.
It is now up to the citizens of India to decide if they want this to happen with their fellow citizens of India.
P.S.
