Published Date: February 9, 2010

The leader of a right-wing Hindu group has held out an olive branch to the heads of three Churches in Kerala in a bid to improve its relations with Christians and Muslims.

“Our discussions were fruitful and on a friendly note,” Ram Madhav, spokesperson of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS, national volunteers corps), told UCA News.

RSS is the umbrella organization of Hindu radical groups blamed for spearheading violence against Christians and Muslims in Gujarat, Orissa and other Indian states.

Madhav noted that there was apprehension among religious minority groups toward his organization.

He blamed some political parties for painting the RSS as anti-minority.

“But there is no truth in it. We want to clear those apprehensions and fears and pave way for a healthy dialogue,” he said.

Muslim leaders in his organization would hold discussions with Islamic leaders, he said.

In Kerala, Madhav met Bishop Joshua Mar Ignathios, president of Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council, and heads of two factions of the Orthodox Church and the Marthoma Church.

Madhav said he was invited by the Church leaders to their meeting on Feb. 24 in Kerala’s Kollam town where RSS head Mohan Bhagwat is expected to attend.

Bishop Ignathios confirmed the meeting. Madhav “came to the bishop’s house and we had a brief meeting,” he told UCA News and added he told the RSS leader about Christian concern over violence against minorities in states ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP, Indian people’s party).

BJP, India’s main opposition party, is considered the political arm of Hindu radical groups.

Bishop Ignathios said he also told the RSS leader that the Church does not encourage “forced conversions” as the Hindu radicals allege.

The RSS initiative comes as Kerala prepares for state legislative assembly elections scheduled for April 2011. Christians and Muslims constitute 41 percent of the state’s electorate.

According to Fr Paul Thelakat, editor of Church weekly “Satyadeepam” (light of truth), RSS and BJP have realized their anti-minority politics would not help them gain power in Kerala.

He says India would experience peace and harmony if the BJP and RSS changed their policies against minorities.

SOURCE

Hindu leader soothes Kerala Church leaders (UCA News)

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