National News Opinions

Is Religion A ‘Personal Matter’? Calling Out The Hypocrisy Of INC Towards Different Religions

January 12, 2024
Symbianian

On 10 January 2024, the Congress formally rejected the invitation to the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at Bhavya Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The primary reason given by the party for the absence of their top leadership at this important event was the belief that ‘faith is a personal matter.’

Following the Congress’s official statement, a letter from the then-Congress President Sonia Gandhi to Pope Francis in August 2016, regarding the Canonization Ceremony of Mother Teresa, gained widespread attention on social media. In the letter, Sonia Gandhi asserted that every Indian citizen, encompassing nearly 20 million Catholics, felt a sense of pride and happiness in acknowledging Mother Teresa’s deep nobility of spirit, clarity of intent, and dedication to serving God through humanitarian service as recognized by the Pope and the Catholic Church.

She additionally asserted that the canonisation ceremony of Mother Teresa provided an opportunity for all Indians to express gratitude for the time she dedicated to India, serving the poorest and most needy in our nation. Sonia Gandhi emphasized Teresa’s lifelong commitment to selfless service, urging everyone to draw inspiration from her and learn how to practice compassion and loving kindness in our everyday lives. Sonia Gandhi highlighted Teresa’s role in alleviating the suffering of thousands in their final moments, emphasizing that the very ground she walked on became sacred. Margaret Alva and Louzinho Faleiro represented the Congress Party at the ceremony, as Sonia Gandhi was unable to attend due to illness.

In contrast, when examining the Congress Party’s response to the invitation to Bhagwan Ram’s temple, which is described as a “refusal,” it is crucial to note the difference in tone. Congress stated in its release that “religion is a personal matter,” while also accusing the BJP and the RSS of politicizing the Ram Mandir as a project. The party seemed to overlook that the BJP consistently included the Ram Mandir in its manifesto, aligning with their political ideology. The realization of this agenda coincided with the BJP being in power, and the Supreme Court ruling in favour of the Hindu side.

Examining the historical context of the Congress, it is notable that the party referred to Bhagwan Ram as a “myth” in an affidavit presented in court. The Congress party has a tendency to engage in temple politics just before elections, exemplified by instances where leaders like Rahul Gandhi embarked on a “Temple Run” to appeal to Hindu voters. Additionally, it is remembered that India’s first Prime Minister and Congress leader, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, opposed then-President Dr Rajendra Prasad’s attendance at the inauguration of the Somnath Temple in Gujarat.

On a different note, it’s important to acknowledge that a documentary by Sky Documentaries titled ‘Mother Teresa: For the Love of God’ has shed light on the darker aspects of her life and the NGO ‘Missionaries of Charity’ she established in Kolkata, West Bengal. This documentary, featuring insights from both close associates and critics, unveils the evangelical fervour that Mother Teresa possessed beneath the facade of love and care.

Over the years, Mother Teresa has faced accusations of being fraudulent, with critics pointing to her adoption of outdated health practices and her enthusiastic efforts to convert the vulnerable into the Christian faith. The documentary aims to document and emphasize the less favourable aspects of Mother Teresa’s ‘sainthood’ and evaluate the credibility of allegations against the controversial evangelist. To delve into the darker aspects of Mother Teresa’s life, one can watch the documentary. Additionally, Christopher Hitchens, a popular author, has also written a book critical of Mother Teresa titled ‘The missionary position: Mother Teresa in theory and practice‘ early in the year 1995.

Symbianian is a freelance writer and a political buff.

(With inputs from OpIndia)

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