Madurai archdiocese concerned over intolerance

The pluralistic nature of the Indian society has been put under enormous pressure.

Madurai:  Madurai Archdiocese expressed concern over the growing intolerance and hatred in the country stating that it will destroy the pluralistic nature of the country.

Archbishop Antony Pappusamy in a statement expressed fears that hate crimes unleashed across the country will destroy the very roots of democracy in the country.

The pluralistic nature of the Indian society has been put under enormous pressure by the forces trying to bring in hegemony. Hatred is nurtured in planned manner to destroy the identity of indigenous groups and the freedom of expression - the most important right of democracy - is made a mockery, he said.

People differing to the opinion of rulers are projected as enemy of state and are threatened and eliminated. The archbishop cited the cases of Govind Pansare, Narendra Dabholkar and M M Kalburgi who were brutally assassinated for voicing their differences.

The crux of democracy is to nurture pluralism. In the name of cow protection, the campaign against beef eating has attained momentum. Deciding to eat something is individual's personal desire, he said.

Communalistic ideology is against free and scientific society. Understanding the communalism is vital to protect democratic values of the society. Religious minorities are most threatened by the idea of communalism and they are projected as enemies since the religious values followed by them are different from the religion of majority people. There is nothing wrong to differ and it is one's right. Christian community believing this should be ready to face the threat by communalism, he stated and appreciated the writers who registered their protest by returning the awards.
Source: Times of India