Mob lynching of religious minorities, of Dalits, of Adivasis, of women, of other vulnerable communities have been on the increase in the last few years. It is regrettable that the government and leaders of the ruling political party have done little to condemn these lawless acts, let alone stop them from happening. Efforts by eminent and concerned citizens to draw the attention of the Prime Minister and the government to these gruesome acts have been branded seditious. The Indian Christian Women’s Movement (ICWM) strongly condemns the inaction against the perpetrators thereby subtly sanctioning this form of brutality by lawless groups of persons.
In this context, the ICWM strongly challenges the insensitive and unsubstantiated statement made by the RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat quoting the Bible as the basis for the lynching of innocent men and women. In fact, the reference Bhagwat makes to the Gospel (John 8:1-11) refers to how Jesus condemned the then mob mentality that was all set to violate the dignity and life of a vulnerable woman. Bhagwat’s comment in our understanding is a way to deflect the focus from the callous inaction of the government on lynchings. Calling it a western concept is a gross misrepresentation of the universal Biblical message of peace and tolerance and justice." In a religiously tolerant, secular country like India, attempts of fundamentalist political powers to justify hegemonic oppression of minorities by misquoting other peace loving religions is strongly condemned.”
Dr Aruna Gnanadason, National Convener, ICWM;
National Team Members: Dr Kochurani Abraham, Marcia D’Cunha, Rev Dr Jayachitra Lalitha, Dr Joycia Thorat, Dr Lalnghakthuami, Sushma Ramswami
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