India: Another Christian leader supports current regime

India | 06 July 2016

On 9 June 2016, UCA News reported that, following the example of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church and Believer's Church, the latest Christian leader to openly appreciate Modi's policies is Rev. Dr. Joseph D'Souza, the Moderating Bishop of the Good Shepherd Church and Associated Ministries of India. "I find Prime Minister Modi to be a breath of fresh air from a segment of Indian society and politics that has previously been far more hostile toward Christians and other minority communities." D'Souza, who is also President of the All India Christian Council, writes that Modi "is leading our country well" and has "provided opportunities for religious minorities to address our concerns directly to his office". Though he expressed concerns about the activities against Christians by some fringe, extremists groups in India, D'Souza commended the Modi government for making "progress for all Indians, including members of the 4000 churches [he is] responsible for". Rolf Zeegers, persecution analyst at World Watch Research, believes that Christians in India are becoming more divided in their stance towards the government: "Whereas the Catholic Secular Forum, the Global Council of Indian Christian and the Evangelical Fellowship of India take a confrontational approach demanding the government to take action against Hindu radicals who attack Christians with impunity, the All India Christian Council under Rev. D"Souza has decided to follow a different path: they hope that they can convince the regime of Mr. Modi by flattering it." Rolf Zeegers expects that these statements will lead to greater divisions among Christians in India and that AICC"s flattery won"t bring India"s Christians any benefit. He concludes: "The fact that no steps have been taken by Modi to stop Hindu radical attacks should make Rev. D"Souza reconsider his decision."