Results of recently held elections to five state Assemblies surprised many who were desiring the defeat of BJP to mellow down the arrogance of leaders like Narendra Modi, Yogi Adityanath, Amit Sha and others. Contrary to the desire and expectation of many, BJP retained its governments with clear majority in UP, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa. APP swept away Congress and other parties in Panjab. Minorities and secular minded people were disappointed to see the victory of the saffron party to make the Hindutva forces more arrogant to carry out their aggressive divisive agenda.
Hindutva forces with RSS and BJP are reaping the harvest of their hard work with clear strategies of a century. They, under the leadership of RSS, had been working steadily with focus with their dedicated and well trained foot soldiers throughout India. Hatred was their motivating force which polarized the Hindu voters.
They succeeded in assassinating Mahatma Gandhi on 30th January 1948 because of his inclusive spirituality of standing for peace and fellowship with of all faiths and walks of life especially with the minority Muslims after the partition of the country. Hindutva leaders like Savarkar was successful in motivating and brainwashing young people like Naturam Godse who murdered Gandhi…
During my contemplation I could hear the voice of God, ‘who is the church? What is the church’? I was convinced of the fact that I am the church and I should not wait for bishops and church bodies to act. This reflection led me to launch Universal Solidarity Movement as a proactive response to the chaotic situation in the county on 16 July 1993. I visualized mobilizing and motivating the youth of all faiths to preserve and protect the unity and integrity of the nation with all its ethos. Though it was a leap into darkness with all insecurities I was sure that by motivating the youth force and training them as visionary leaders we could preserve the civilization of love, the soul of India
Due to complacency and indifference the church personnel did not take our mission seriously. However we could see positive signs from the youth and some heads of institutions who understood our vision and spirituality. Stories of transformation of the young people continue to motivate us to go ahead with this mission despite obstacles .
Even when the church institutions and personnel faced opposition and harassment regularly from Hindutva groups they were not making serious review of life and mission. They continued to bask in the past colonial glory and went ahead with routine ways of living and working. Ignorant about the fast changing socio-political scenario many of them still feel secure and complacent.
Kandhamal violence in Orissa in 2008 was the most shocking attack the church faced from the Hindutva forces after independence. Hundreds of Christians lost their lives and properties. Yet the church failed to review its mission and make new strategies and action plans.
After making three visits to the Kandhamal region during the days of violence and conducting a three day reflective \ session in Cuttack for priests and religious nothing changed. Similar sessions were organized in other places. Appeals to responsible people and other church organizations to prepare new strategies and action plans fell in deaf ears. The proposals to educational institutions to organize programs to motivate and educate the youth did not receive any positive response. All were following the Ostrich style of not seeing the dangers at hand…
Even now when the BJP has recaptured the states which it was ruling for the last five years with the force of their dedicated RSS workers with clear strategy, neither the church leaders nor those who are running numerous institutions across the country are making any review of their mission.
Despite having more than a lakh of committed consecrated persons with 24 hours availability, large infrastructure spread across the country and possessing wealth second to Govt. of India, church in India remains ineffective. Internal divisions, conflicts , lack of Good Shepherd leaders, public scandals and hypocrisy have made the church like the salt that has lost its saltiness which is to be thrown out to be trampled under the feet of people.
BJP under the leadership of Narendra Modi with dedicated Hindutva workers spread across the country are working with greater passion to remain in power for many more years by dividing and destroying all their opponents in the coming general election in 2024. Hindu Rashtra has already come where minorities will be reduced to second class citizens who can claim no rights and privileges. Will bishops, priests, religious and laity wake up and act before we perish?

– Varghese Alengaden, Indore