India’s Christian Leaders Wading Through Murky Political Waters

By Verghese V Joseph.

The Christmas celebrations on December 25, 2023, in India took an unexpected turn as church leaders were extended a breakfast invitation meeting by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi, raising eyebrows and sparking a divisive debate within the Indian Christian community. A sizable number of bishops, archbishops, and business executives from Protestant, Orthodox, and Catholic churches were present.

While the PM’s breakfast invitation was a welcome one, the ostensible silence on the part of the Christian leaders to draw his attention to the atrocities against the Christian community all over India left a sour taste in the community. They attentively listened to the sermon on Jesus by Modi.

It is indeed a welcome thing that the Prime Minister heaped praise on the Christian community’s contributions to the freedom cause and highlighted a number of notable leaders and intellectuals from the community. He emphasised that Gandhiji had stated that Sushil Kumar Rudra, the principal of St. Stephen’s College, had given support to the Non-Cooperation Movement’s conception. He emphasised the vital role that the Christian community plays in guiding society and brought up his active involvement in charitable work that benefits the underprivileged and impoverished. He also mentioned their achievements in the fields of healthcare and education.

The joint Christmas celebration between church leaders and Prime Minister Modi sparked a nuanced and multifaceted response within the Indian Christian community. While some welcomed the collaboration as a positive step towards unity and dialogue, others raised concerns about the potential implications for the church’s independence and moral standing.

Some Christians saw this as an opportunity to address issues affecting their community directly with the Prime Minister. By participating in the celebration, they hoped to engage in constructive dialogue on matters such as minority rights, educational reforms, and social welfare initiatives.

However, not everyone within the Indian Christian community viewed the joint celebration with optimism. Critics raised concerns about the potential blurring of the lines between religion and politics, cautioning against compromising the church’s independence and its role as a moral voice in society, particularly in light of the hurt that the community has seen in Manipur and other places.

They argued that by aligning with political leaders, the Church might inadvertently become a tool in the hands of politicians, risking its credibility and moral authority. Some expressed worries that such collaborations could lead to the politicisation of religious events, diverting attention from the spiritual aspects of Christmas.

Background

India, with its rich tapestry of religions, has always been a melting pot of diverse cultures and faiths. Christianity, a minority religion in the country, has a significant presence, contributing to the religious mosaic of India. Christmas, a widely celebrated festival among Christians, usually sees church leaders engaging in religious festivities, reflecting on the teachings of Jesus Christ, and emphasizing the values of love, compassion, and community.

With Christmas being a significant festival for Christians, the decision of Church leaders to join hands with Prime Minister Modi in a very vulnerable situation added a layer of complexity to an already intricate relationship. This move stirred a range of reactions, revealing the uneasy alliance between religion and politics in the country.

Critical Voices

A significant segment of Indian Christians viewed the collaboration with scepticism, criticising Church leaders for what they saw as a compromising stance. The joint celebration was seen by many as a betrayal of the Church’s duty to remain a moral compass, independent of political influence.

Critics argued that this collaboration could pave the way for the church to become a pawn in the political game, with leaders exploiting religious events for their own gain. They expressed concerns that aligning with political figures might compromise the church’s ability to be a staunch advocate for justice, minority rights, and societal welfare.

Some sceptics questioned the authenticity of the church leaders’ motives, suspecting that their participation in the celebration was a calculated move to gain political favours or curry favour ahead of elections. This raised questions about whether the church’s involvement was driven by a genuine desire for dialogue or if it was merely a strategic manoeuvre to secure political benefits.

Caught between the enthusiasm of those embracing the collaboration and the reservations of the sceptics, many Indian Christians found themselves navigating a delicate balancing act. The diversity within the community meant that opinions varied widely, and individuals had to reconcile their personal beliefs with the broader implications of church leaders engaging with political figures.

For some, the collaboration represented an opportunity for Christians to have a more significant impact on the nation’s policies and societal norms. By actively participating in events with political leaders, they believed they could contribute to a more inclusive and equitable India.

Others, however, remained cautious, advocating for the preservation of the Church’s autonomy and the need for a critical distance from political entities. They stressed the importance of maintaining a focus on the spiritual and moral teachings of Christianity without being swayed by political considerations.

Those critical of the collaboration emphasised the need for the church to maintain its autonomy and resist being entangled in the web of political opportunism. They warned that blurring the lines between religious and political realms could tarnish the church’s image and dilute its moral authority.

The apprehension extended to the potential sidelining of crucial issues affecting the Christian community, as the collaborative celebration with the Prime Minister might overshadow critical discussions on minority rights, educational reforms, and social justice initiatives.

As India continues to grapple with the intricate dance between religion and politics, the critical voices within the Indian Christian community will play a crucial role in holding the Church accountable and ensuring that the pursuit of unity does not come at the cost of compromising core principles and values. The delicate balancing act, already strained, faces further challenges in a landscape where the line between faith and political opportunism becomes increasingly blurred.

Conclusion

The situation underscores the intricate relationship between religion and politics in India and the challenges faced by minority communities in navigating this complex landscape. As the nation moves forward and the upcoming Parliament elections approach, the Indian Christian community will continue to grapple with these tensions, seeking a delicate balance between engaging with political leaders for the greater good and preserving the integrity of their religious institutions.