Editorial
We hope the Church Hierarchy is listening
Opinion | Editorial | John S. Shilshi | 21-Jan-2025
According to the media report, the son of a pastor, Ramesh Baghel, has been prevented from burying the dead body of his late father in the village cemetery because some Hindutva activists from his village did not allow the burial to take place. He appealed to the police and the district administration, but they rejected his plea. He went to the High Court to seek remedy, but the court also dismissed his plea, citing the sensitive nature of the issue and the potential for law-and-order problems if his case was entertained. Left in the lurch and having no alternative, Baghel went to the Supreme Court of India, and as the verdict is awaited, the dead body of the late pastor – his father continues to remain in the mortuary for the last 13 days.
This is not a piece of news from 19th- or 20th-century India that is being reproduced, but a development that took place in the first week of January 2025 in Bastar village, Chhindwada, in Chhattisgarh, barely a month after the Prime Minister of India cozied up with the who's who of the Catholic Church hierarchy in what may be called a reciprocal gesture extended to him by the Catholic Bishops Conference of India in New Delhi. It may be recalled that the prime minister had invited Christian leaders for a Christmas get-together in December 2023. In that high-profile gathering in New Delhi, the Prime Minister told bishops of the three Catholic rites that he had met Holy Father, Pope Francis, in Rome on a few occasions and had developed a bonhomie with him. He said Christianity is the embodiment of love, harmony, and brotherhood, and he confided to the galaxy gathering how it hurts him when he finds that some sections of the people attempting to spread hatred and violence in the society. He also reiterated that the Bhartiya Janata Party is committed to ensuring Sab ka saath, sab ka vikas, sab ka vishwas in this country.
The much-publicized meeting happened not behind closed doors but in full glare of the national and international media. Therefore, every bite of what was said or spoken was made known to the nation and also to the international community. After all of that, it is unfortunate that the year 2025 had to begin in such a morbid manner. The media quoted the resentful Ramesh Bhagel as stating, "My father's final desire was to rest beside his family members. Everything was peaceful until two years ago when a group of villagers from a strong political outfit started provoking others in our village, asking them to socially boycott Christians and stop them from burying bodies in the village’s graveyard for converting to the religion.” How shameful for a country that claims to be the largest functioning democracy in the world.
This issue is now in the open, with the Supreme Court of India seeking a response from the central government; therefore, it is likely to be a hotly debated topic among right activists and advocacy groups on one side and the Hindutva elements, including the spokespersons of the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party, on the other. We sincerely hope that this unfortunate incident will reach the ears of the hierarchy in the Catholic Church. We also hope that they will patiently listen to the unfolding story and speak out against such injustice. More importantly, we hope the Church hierarchy, which has now seemingly developed a good rapport with the Prime Minister, would be kind enough to use their good offices to remind the PM that “Sab ka saath, sab ka vikas, sab ka Vishwas” also includes Christians, perhaps, in the form of a gentle reminder.
The CBCI is a father figure to all Catholics in the country. It is also a guardian to safeguard the interest of all Christians in this country, given its size, stature, and reputation. Therefore, it is expected that the esteemed organisation extends its fatherly wing of protection in crisis times as this and many others—when Christians are persecuted, attacked, and targeted in various ways. In the instant case, the victims involved don’t belong to the Catholic community. However, they are Christians; therefore, prudence demands that a body as powerful as the CBCI speak up for them too. In addition, the Catholic Bishops Conference of India, a body held in high regard by all, including the country's Prime Minister, should consistently voice their concerns whenever injustices are committed against any religion, group, or people. Such action, if taken, would not amount to unnecessary infringement in the affairs of others. On the other hand, it would be judicious adherence to Church doctrine, and fulfilment of the Catholic Social Teaching.
Leave a comment
