Christian Subversion And Missionary Activities - 5

[acharya]

Growing religious fanaticism cause for concern

Govind D. Belgaumkar

People in Dakshina Kannada are believed to be ‘extra-sensitive’ to communal feelings

The Hindu-Christian conflict is a new development in the region

Political patronage to fascist groups is blamed for communal disturbances

— Photo: PTI

VANDALISM: Scenes such as these were common in Mangalore after the recent communal conflicts.

MANGALORE: There is a common belief that people in and around Mangalore are a little extra-sensitive communally than elsewhere in the State. A top police official, who visited the city after the recent attacks on churches and prayer halls in the region, felt that the “common belief” was not unfounded.

Known for Hindu-Muslim disturbances hitherto, the region sprung a surprise with the recent Hindu-Christian disturbances that unfolded from a string attacks on prayers halls and a backlash that saw Christians targeting the policemen. Keen observers with secular outlook attribute this to a range of reasons – from the typical economy of the region to the political encouragement to fascist forces; from masking of pluralism of religions to unfounded belief that religions are in danger, from State’s abdication of its responsibility to false and unwanted propaganda material. Some see turbulent times ahead but many see a ray of hope for better days.

According to P.L. Dharma, Head of the Department of Political Science, Mangalore University, people who are culturally vibrant make a living on their own terms. But, in advancing social, cultural, economic and educational life of the region, they show little interest for issues such as better neighbourhood and social integrity. The result, Mr. Dharma said, was a high degree of political immaturity. He cited the example of roads languishing without attention, partly owing to apathy of officials and grossly because people failed to protest against such conditions. “People tend to be emotional on trivial issues. This immaturity is intelligently being exploited by political forces. The solution lies in developing a political maturity and happy days are not far away,” Prof. Dharma said.

According to former chairman of Konkani Academy Eric Ozario, there is nothing wrong with the psychology of the people of the region. He blames the recent developments on patronage of political parties to fascist forces, under one pretext or the other. “Minorities are forced to form self-defence groups, although it is a dangerous trend. It is time for the secular forces to defeat the fundamentalist designs of certain groups,” he said.

John Fernandes, professor and Head, Chair in Christianity, Mangalore University, finds “deliberate attempts at disturbing peace in society” by political forces.

“A typical trait of the people of this region is their ardent love for Tulu, where Kannada is imposed,” pointed out professor of History in Mangalore University B. Surendra Rao. In a region “with cultural backwater effect from Goa and Kerala, even ‘Beary’ language finds space. Unlike other regions, no community dominates the scene here.

The region has never seen an anti-caste movement. There were no big zamindars here. Yet, the psyche of people has undergone a change in the recent past.

The seeds of religious fanaticism have been sown. Indoctrination by religious groups has led to shrinking of mind and spirit of religions. False propaganda that a particular religion is under threat, and emergence of ‘political Hinduism,’ are taking a toll even as the future appears grim,” Prof. Rao said. The so-called secular political parties and the party that opposed pseudo-secularism had both failed the people. “Society is learning its lessons the hard way,” he added.

People lived together for 23 centuries here, pointed out an industrialist and former president of Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industries G. Giridhar Prabhu. He said, absence of conflict-confinement mechanism was to be blamed for the present situation.

“Unlike other regions, entire city has to take a beating each time there is a trouble as transporters withdraw buses. Absence of State transport and fear of suffering loss forces bus operators to go off the road,” he said.

According to Mr. Prabhu, the typical nature of the economy of the region, where every individual was an entrepreneur in his own right, and absence of State in every spear of life, had caused a sense of alienation. These factors could have led to a psyche that could be easily provoked. Social scientists should probe this aspect, he said.

Inspector General of Police (Western Range) A.M. Prasad said a polarisation along religious lines in the entire coastal Karnataka, more so in Dakshina Kannada, had taken shape.

He blamed religious influences and youth groups of different religions, who overreacted to trivial issues, for the present state of affairs. Elders should intervene in the matter, he added.

On the street, one can hardly meet a person, who does not express displeasure over the attacks on prayer halls and the three days’ bandh that paralysed life. But nine out of 10 quickly add, “They (Christians) should not convert, isn’t it?” That, according to Prof. Rao, provides a peep into the psyche of the people.