Hindu Religious Leaders Granted Governmental Power in India
Hindu Religious Leader Namdeo Das Tyagi
The Catholic hierarchy in India has strongly criticized the State government of the Madhya Pradesh, in the hands of the nationalist party, the BJP, for granting the status of State Ministers to five Hindu religious leaders.
The decision was made public on April 6, 2018, by the Prime Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Chouhan. Five Hindu leaders belonging to the BJP have now acquired the status of ministers, which enables them to enjoy the same power as the deputies without ever having served a term. This will allow them to influence the political life of this State in central India.
“This news shocked me. I do not know where our country is heading," said Bishop Gerald Almeida, bishop of Jabalpur, to the press agency Ucanews on April 5, 2018. The prelate believes that the entire political balance that provides Christians with an already precarious freedom is “on the path of collapse.”
One of the five religious leaders in question is Namdeo Das Tyagi, popularly known as “Computer Baba” because of his interest in electronic gadgets and modern technology. The four other Hindu dignitaries nominated as ministers are Bhaiyyuji Maharaj, Narmadanandji, Hariharanandji and the pundit Yogendra Mahant.
Ever since the BJP came into power in New Delhi in May 2014, Hinduism has been penetrating into every layer of society. And resorting to violence when needed.
Christians, who represent less than 1% of the 75 million inhabitants of Madhya Pradesh, live in fear after a series of attacks has been launched against them. According to a report from Persecution Relief, this State was the scene of 52 anti-Christian attacks in 2017, compared to 28 in 2016.
Sources: Ucanews / Times of India / FSSPX.News – 4/26/2018
