In India extremist groups are trying to feed tensions and create chaos: "It's a Powder Keg!"

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ASIA/INDIA - Bishop of Kashmir: “The community feels threatened, however political tensions have been brewing for some time”

Srinagar (Agenzia Fides) – “There are policemen everywhere, wherever there are churches and schools, to protect Christian sites. We are very sad for what has happened. We are very concerned. The Christian community, which has always been at peace, feels threatened. We are praying." This is what Fides was told by Bishop Celestine Elampassery of Jammu and Srinagar, following protests and attacks that were carried out against Christians yesterday, leading to 17 deaths along with Muslim protesters in Kashmir.
Today in Kashmir, tension remains high: the authorities have declared a curfew across the valley, but a group of extremists challenged the restrictive measures and took to the streets of Khanpora, in the District of Baramulla.
"We have suffered no damages to Catholic churches; only Good Shepherd School in Pulwama was hit on the outer walls, by incendiary bombs, but the building is intact. We feel helpless and powerless in the face of this wave of senseless violence. We have nothing against the Muslims whom we respect as brothers. We have repeated this several times. However, a violent minority is fueling the tension," the bishop told Fides.
"It is worth mentioning that in Kashmir the political tension has been brewing for years and this has been its explosion. The region is plagued by separatist unrest and infested with armed militant groups. Even the Indian government, in this situation, is showing itself to be very cautious and prudent, aware of the difficult local situation...For our part, we hope to restore peace and reconciliation through dialogue and reaffirm the need for Christians to respect all other believers," he concluded.
Bishop Elampassery also mentioned to Fides that out of a total population of about 10,000,000 inhabitants in Kashmir, the Christian population numbers about 25,000, of which 15,000 are Catholics. The Church is very active in the social sphere, with a high-ranking school which is attended by Muslim students and respected by civil authorities and other religious communities. The Catholic community has been very active and has deployed its energy in the work of humanitarian assistance following the recent floods that have heavily affected the region of Ladakh, in the Leh area. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 14/09/2010)

ASIA/INDIA - Archbishop Machado: proceed with interreligious dialogue, to build peace and reconciliation

An Indian Catholic holds a rosary in Kashmir. Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Vasai (Agenzia Fides) - "In India, there are generally good relations between Muslims and Christians. We are two large minority communities. There are 130 million Muslims and 25 million Christians, in comparison to the Hindu majority. Today, extremist groups are trying to feed tensions and create chaos, amplifying the news coming from abroad, such as the news of the burning of the Koran," says Archbishop Felix Machado, head of the Diocese of Vasai and former Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, thus a great expert on interreligious relations in the Indian context.
"In the general framework of India, interreligious dialogue initiatives are always attended by Christian and Muslim leaders, alongside other religious leaders. In many cities of India, Christian schools are attended by Muslim students. There is no reason for tension," he says.
Kashmir is another story: "It is a powder keg. The episode of the burning of the Koran is grafted into a context of internal and external political tensions, given the strained relations with Pakistan. The presence of militant terrorist groups like Laskar-e-Taiba reeks havoc in other parts of India," Archbishop Machado tells Fides.

There are attempts to undermine the basis of harmony: "The Diocese of Vasai has a special relationship with Kashmir: many young seminarians and priests from Vasai are missionaries in that area. They say that the Catholic community there is much loved and appreciated for its services towards the population. In fact, in the clashes between Hindus and Muslims, between military and armed movements in New Delhi, Christians are true peacemakers and agents of reconciliation."
The episodes in Kashmir, stresses the Archbishop, "have troubled a moment of great interreligious harmony in India, as it is a time period with three important feasts for the three religions: Friday, September 10, is Id al-Fitr, the end of Ramadan for Muslims; Saturday 11 is the feast of Ganesh, the Hindu deity; and Sunday, September 12, is the feast of the Holy Name of Mary, for Catholics, especially in Mumbai, there are great celebrations and interreligious group pilgrimages.”
Bishop Machado concludes: "The people of India want peace and reconciliation and are tired of violence. The Catholic Church is offering words of hope and peace. This is what makes her a credible and appreciated institution." (PA) (Agenzia Fides 14/09/2010)

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