Verghese V Joseph –
At a time when the voice of moral authority in the church appears to be fading, Bangalore’s Archbishop Dr Peter Machado has emerged as a beacon of guidance and conviction. His recent address, urging Christians to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming 2024 Parliamentary elections, resonates not only within the Christian community but across all sections of society. His impassioned plea signifies the profound implications of not casting one’s vote.
Archbishop Machado’s unequivocal stance on voting underscores the moral duty each citizen holds towards shaping the destiny of their nation. By labeling abstaining from voting as a ‘sin’ and ‘betrayal,’ he draws attention to the gravity of indifference towards the democratic process. In a democracy, where the power lies in the hands of the people, failing to exercise this fundamental right is akin to relinquishing one’s responsibility towards the collective welfare of society.
The Archbishop’s call for active participation in the electoral process is not merely a plea for participation but a clarion call for accountability and responsibility. By emphasising the need to elect individuals committed to upholding fundamental rights, fostering inclusivity, and combating corruption, Archbishop Machado underscores the transformative potential of each vote cast. In a diverse and pluralistic society like India, where the protection of minority rights is paramount, the act of voting becomes a potent tool for safeguarding the values enshrined in the Constitution.
Archbishop Machado’s exhortation to prioritise voting over other engagements on election day underscores the sanctity of the democratic process. By equating abstention from voting to a ‘stone cast on the church,’ he underscores the interconnectedness between civic duty and moral obligation. In a democracy, where the will of the people shapes the course of governance, every vote becomes a testament to one’s commitment to the ideals of democracy and justice.
As a staunch advocate of human rights and social justice, Archbishop Machado’s call for voting transcends mere electoral participation; it embodies a vision for a better, more equitable future for India. By urging the faithful to scrutinise the credentials of candidates and elect those who embody secularism, integrity, and good governance, he lays the foundation for a society built on principles of fairness and equality. In a time where the moral fabric of society is tested, Archbishop Machado’s message serves as a rallying cry for a more just and inclusive India.
In conclusion, Archbishop Peter Machado’s impassioned plea for voting transcends religious boundaries to underscore the universal significance of civic engagement and responsibility. By framing voting as a moral imperative and a means to uphold the values of democracy, Archbishop Machado ignites a spark of conscientious citizenship within each individual. As the 2024 Parliamentary elections loom large, let us heed Archbishop Machado’s call, not merely as a religious directive but as a moral obligation towards building a brighter, more inclusive future for India.
He has spoken with courage and conviction, unlike many other prelates wagging their tails at Christmas Luncheons
According to me the archbishop has made a sweeping statement: “Not voting is a sin”. He needs to understand the ground realities.
Today the election process in India has become a sheer mockery of democracy due to following reasons:
a) My right to vote is taken for granted. The EVMs are easily manipulated and hacked. They have been proved by IT experts at various platforms. As a result, the vote that I cast for a particular candidate goes to some other candidate. This is a sheer violation of my right to vote.
b) I am not sure whether the candidate, for whom I cast my vote, will stay with the same party till the end of his tenure (5 years). Today the elected candidates are purchased as commercial commodities. There is no guarantee that the candidate will remain in the same party in whose name he/she wins the election. There is no law to prevent the ‘horse-trading’ that is mostly adopted by the ruling federal government. A concrete example: During one assembly election in Karnataka I voted for a congress candidate. He won. A coalition government was formed. But… 17 MLAs, including the candidate to whom I gave my vote, were purchased by BJP. The government was pulled down and BJP came to power. Did any law STOP this nonsense? Similar things were repeated in other non-BJP-ruled states. Was there any law to stop this? NO. Can the Judiciary today give an assurance to disqualify the defecting MLAs/MPs?
c) The distribution of freebies/election gifts is thriving in every nook and corner of the country today. Many ignorant, illiterate and greedy voters become victims of freebies and vote for unworthy candidates. Money and muscle powers make the elections undemocratic.
So, I WILL NOT VOTE. Who can call my action a sin?
Can Archbishop Peter Machado enlighten me whether it is a sin if one presses the button NOTA (None of the Above)?
Rev.Archbishop Machado has taken a bold step in the right direction so that the democratic values in our country could remain firm.The church functions in real world and not in a vaccum.As expressed by M.L.Satyan, the grim realities are real but withdrawing from the voting exercise cannot be the solution.Would it be right to leave power in the hands of rogue elements? Jesus, while being in the Jewish culture and tradition, kept up propagating the kingdom values while criticizing the acts of pharisees and saducees.He is right to say that hacking of EVM is possible but it isn’t possible at such a large scale in all the constituencies of India comprising of 1.4 billion population.So within the given election machinary we have, we must function as voter else we have no right to criticize the functioning of institutions and government.My humble views are not meant to censor anyone’s views.I respect their view point.