India: Radical Hindus react fiercely to archbishop

India | 29 June 2018

As reported by the Indian Express on 4 June 2018, Goa's Roman Catholic Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao wrote in his annual pastoral letter: "Today, our Constitution is in danger, (it is a) reason why most of the people live in insecurity. In this context, particularly as the general elections are fast approaching, we must strive to know our Constitution better and work harder to protect it." General elections are due to be held by May 2019. As Asia News reported on 6 June 2018, the archbishop"s comments caused a wave of criticism from supporters of the ruling BJP Hindu nationalist party. Rolf Zeegers, persecution analyst at World Watch Research, reports that the Hindu critics took offence at just a few sentences mostly taken out of context in the 15 page document: "What irked the critics most of all were the phrases: "˜our Constitution is in danger", "˜human rights are under attack" and "˜democracy seems at risk" and "˜minorities fear for their own safety". One leading BJP commentator accused the archbishop of "˜manufacturing hate". While it is completely acceptable for Hindu radicals to make public statements in India attacking religious minorities, there is immediately a huge barrage of criticism when a representative of these religious minorities makes a few cautious remarks in return. It is a clear sign of growing intolerance and that Indian society is becoming increasingly polarized."