Muslim and Christian leaders in India have slammed Madhya Pradesh State government for according “minister of State” status to five Hindu religious leaders in what many called a deadly mix of religion and politics in an election year.

The central state’s government, run by the pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), gave minister status to the leaders even though they have not contested or won any election.

The move has snowballed into a controversy as it violates provisions of India’s constitution, which expressly upholds secular and democratic values. The constitution does not support unelected people, particularly religious leaders, being appointed to ministerial positions with a paid salary.

Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan told journalists on April 4, two days after the order was issued, that his government has been making “attempts to bring different sections of society to work for the people.”

“We want every section of society to work toward the development and welfare of people, and that is why we have attempted to bring together each section of society,” he added.

The new status allows the five Hindu leaders to get salaries and other perks similar to those of a junior minister who is elected to the legislative house. They would also have a greater say in administrative matters in the government.

“This news shocked me. I do not know where our country is heading,” said Bishop Gerald Almeida of Jabalpur.

When religious leaders begin to assume government offices and assert themselves in the running of a democratic state, “it is a clear sign that the secular state is on the path of collapse,” the bishop told ucanews.com on April 5.

The policy of separation of state and religion continues to be respected across the globe because history is filled with disasters when they were mixed, he said. When “politics is mixed with religion, it is a deadly combination for any nation,” he asserted.

One of the five appointed religious leaders is Namdeo Das Tyagi, popularly known as “Computer Baba” because of his interest in electronic gadgets and technology. The others are Bhaiyyuji Maharaj, Narmadanandji, Hariharanandji and Yogendra Mahant.

(See Focus)