Narendra Modi government’s oft repeated slogan is alluring: Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Viswas (Together with all, for the development of all, and with the trust of all). It sounds good; it gladdens the hearts. But, it seems, the ‘all’ do not include the minorities in the country.

The proof lies in the increasing number of atrocities on them in many parts of country, especially in the Hindi heartland. The message is louder than the shots fired on the borders: The ‘ethnic majority’ seems to own the country and the minorities do not matter much. 

They are made to feel, as M. S. Golwalkar had stated in his book, as second class citizens “claiming nothing…not even citizen’s rights”. Though there are half-hearted denials from some official quarters, the highway to Hindu Rashtra is being widened at break-neck speed.

The increasing number of attacks on Christians seems to be a prelude to this mission.

The latest episode of this saffron drama has come from Mirpur in Uttar Pradesh where two nuns were attacked by right-wing vigilante groups as they were boarding a bus. The same day, in another dastardly attack in the same State, seven pastors were dragged out of a worshipping place and taken to police station. 

There were several other attacks on Christians and their places of worship in the last couple of weeks as if to send out some message. It was not long ago that two nuns and two postulates, travelling in a train, were attacked and forced to disembark in Jhansi and taken to police station on the trumped-up charges of conversion. According to one report, from 330 incidents of attacks against Christians in 2016, it reached 527 in 2019. 

What is at stake is people’s fundamental right to live and freedom to practice a religion of their choice. Christians are becoming sitting ducks to Hindutva goons where ever they are – at worshipping places, in trains, buses and other public places. 

In some villages, decades-old churches have been vandalized. Still worse is the indifference of law-enforcing agencies when right wing mobs take law into their hands and haul-up Christians. Police personnel turn into statues at the sight of marauding saffron brigade or they turn the other way when the hapless Christians are shoved around. 

Christians’ right to be Christians is no less Constitutional than the rights of those following the majority religion. If there are forced conversions, as alleged by the Hindutva forces without any rhyme or reason, there are laws in this country to take care of it. The courts have not relegated that power to individuals or organizations.   

The spurt in attacks has phenomenally gone up after new anti-conversion laws have been enacted in many BJP-ruled States. However, certain sections of the Church hierarchy do not seem to have their ear to the ground. Their knee-jerk reaction is tantamount to turning a blind eye to the attackers. There have been voices of concern and condemnation coming from several countries and world organizations censuring these attacks. But, the Church hierarchy adopts an ostrich-type approach as if it is under the spell of the sweet talk of the government and its vague assurances.