Delhi archbishop Anil Couto’s letter to all parishes and religious institutions in the capital has kicked up a storm. Couto’s words of a “turbulent political atmosphere” posing a threat to India’s democratic principles and secular fabric, has sparked off a political crossfire. The government was quick to respond, terming it a reflection of a prejudiced mindset.
Church advisories are nothing new and have been issued from time to time with an aim to guide its flock. How good or badly this advisory is, is a secondary issue, but the intentions behind such letters will always be a matter of debate, more so if there are serious political connotations like this one.
In Goa, the Church body Council for Social Justice and Peace faithfully issues advisories ahead of every election, some of them very critical of the powers that be. Most of them have been taken in letter and spirit by the fraternity, keeping the ground reality in mind that minorities play a crucial role in swinging the political tide in the State.
However, there are two sides of the debate on advisories with political linkages. Firstly, it helps the Catholic Church to flag off concerns among its community when it feels that the government is not doing enough to safeguard the interest of minorities.
There are times when the Church has been ignored in key policy decisions, despite being stakeholders. And there are times when the government preferred to remain mute spectator while the church has been under attack from radical groups. Instances like these have put the church and the ruling dispensation at crossroads and issuing letters addressed to its laity was one way to put issues in perspective.
At hindsight, the Delhi advisory issued against the backdrop of Karnataka elections, perfectly exemplifies how turbulent a political atmosphere we are living in, and how money and muscle power was used in that State to literally compromise the democratic principles and tear apart the secular fabric.
On the flip side, Couto’s letter not only had strong under currents of polarizing communities, but provided a religious platform for a political slugfest. Parties have taken sides, not in the good interest of the Catholic community, but only to settle their political scores.
A religious head making a politically-loaded statement, that too in Delhi, is bound to have wide ramifications. A doomsday scenario could have been avoided with a more balanced message.
Going ahead, prudence and diplomacy is paramount. The church needs to build bridges and work in tandem with the government. Critical statements like these are bound to provoke sentiments across both the political and religious divide. In tune with Pope Francis’ call for dialogues, the Church should rather engage with the government on issues rather than taking such potshots at the ruling.
