A formal complaint has been filed against Mr. George Antonysamy, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore, alleging an attempt to sway voters using religious sentiments during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
The complaint in particular raises concerns about an editorial published by Antonysamy in ‘The New Leader’ magazine affiliated with the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore, Tamil Nadu, operating under the umbrella of a public charitable trust, ‘The New Leader Foundation’, with Archbishop Antonysamy serving as its president.
The recent edition of The New Leader magazine, published by the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore, featuring a cover story titled “Elections 24, Modi’s endgame,” that raises serious concerns.
The editorial in question, titled “General Election 2024: Statement from Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Council,” purportedly aimed to influence voter opinion by invoking religious sentiments and fear-mongering tactics.
In the guest editorial George Antonysamy openly criticized India, its elected central government, and its citizens.
In the editorial, he writes under the subheading – “Challenges we face as ‘Minorities’“, he writes, “There is an attempt to construct India as a mono-cultural nation denying the diversity of our country.” He further continues, “.. today’s Union Government is destroying this diversity and imposing the ideology of one religion, one language, and one culture on us. And along with fascist ideologies of a single party, single leadership, non-opposition India, it is overturning the very democratic philosophy of India.”
He further continues to peddle disharmony by stating, “Christians and Muslims are branded as anti-nationals and their fundamental rights such as the right to worship, places of worship, and religious celebrations are under attack. Our freedom of religion is being curtailed in the name of Anti Conversion Bill under the false accusation that Christians are proselytizing.” He also adds, “The government has tried to impose communal law on us in the name of common civil code.”
His guest editorial further talks about Stan Swamy, how media has come “under the clutches of ruling union government“, how opposition members are thrown out, how southern states are “neglected” in tax distribution, how state rights are being attacked without “even giving compensation we are entitled to during natural calamities” and that the EC, investigative bodies, courts are under “control of the government“.
In the end, he gives a call to action that all Christians must vote to “protect this land in a way that ensures religious faith and human rights of all people.” He also asks the readers to “reject sectarian parties” and calls to the people to “vote together with the majority of the people such as non-religious, democratic forces, marginalised people, backward, downtrodden, tribal people and workers“
“We will analyze the signs of the times based on gospel values and support the parties that protect freedom, equality, fraternity, democracy, social justice and the welfare of minorities in this election”, the editorial said.
Such actions further underscore the urgent need for decisive action to protect India’s legacy and uphold its integrity.
Several organizations fall under the purview of the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore and it becomes pertinent, given the character of the Archdiocese, that these organisations too, be thoroughly investigated for potential violations of FEMA, PMLA, and FCRA regulations. These organisations under the Archdiocese include the Estate of Sir John De Monte, the Archdiocese of Madras Mylapore Society, Madras Social Service Society, Chennai Mylai Educational Society, Jdax (John Demonte Academy of Excellence), The Cuomo Foundation Trust of India, and Caritas India.
Despite the ban on FCRA donations to churches and NGOs which clandestinely operate and use the funds allegedly for conversions, the Archdiocese appears to be engaging in blatant practices aimed at influencing elections and undermining the democratic process.
There have been calls for immediate and decisive action to investigate the Archdiocese’s alleged activities and requests to hold those guilty accountable for violating the law.
In light of the legal activism organization Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF) has raised the matter with the Election Commission of India saying “The said article was published with the ultimate intention of influencing the voters to vote on religious lines. Misusing their position of eminence within the Church, the Bishop’s Council has made a blatant attempt to polarize voters on religious lines. Serious action needs to be taken against the Bishop’s Council and the Archdiocese of Mylapore Madras.“
LRPF also alleged that the Bishop’s Council and Archdiocese of Mylapor-Madras are receiving huge amounts of funds arising out of vast endowments made in the past for various benefactors to further the Christian faith. They apparently control several FCRA-registered organizations receiving foreign funds from abroad.
“Instead of utilizing the funds for the purpose intended by the donors, the entities are using the same to spew venom against the central government, judiciary, parliament and media. This amounts to blatant misuse of the FCRA funds.“, the LRPF complaint alleged.
Urged @ECISVEEP for stringent action against Archbishop of Madras-Mylapore Archdiocese, George Antonysamy (President-Tamil Nadu Bishops' Council) for influencing voters on religious lines and creating atmosphere of victimhood amongst voters of Southern states through his writings pic.twitter.com/754eQTVMfv
— Legal Rights Protection Forum (@lawinforce) April 29, 2024
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