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RSS, not a terrorist

RSS, not a terrorist

Author: Dr. Joseph Pulikunnel
Publication: Organiser
Date: September 8, 2002
 
Introduction: Dr. Joseph Pulikunnel, Christian intellectual and Director of the Indian Institute of Christian Studies (IICS), is a stormy petrel He has been excommunicated by the Church for openly opposing Churchianity and the hegemony of the Pope. He has now become the rallying point of many Christian intellectuals, reformers and social activists. In an interview to Organiser representative S. Chandrasekhar, he spoke about the ongoing dialogue and other issues.

Q. What was the agenda of this dialogue?
A. Issues that have become irritants in Hindu-Christian harmony like conversions, Dalit Christians, Swadeshi churches, and minority rights and flow of foreign money were discussed. This is a thought process where each other's views are being aired. This will help reduce the misconceptions against each other. The IICS has been for the past 25 years of its existence discussing issues that affect the masses. We follow Sri Narayana Guru's words, "Not to debate and win, but to know and make known".

Q. You are initiating dialogue with an organisation that has been dubbed terrorist by Kerala Chief Minister A.K. Antony and has been accused of committing atrocities against Christians elsewhere in India? Will it not affect your position?
A. When a disturbance takes place it is not the priests and bishops who get attacked. It is the common man. There may be aberrations in society but the entire society cannot be blamed. We are talking to the RSS with the clear conviction that they don't have any connection with the isolated unfortunate incidents. In the pre-Independence days Congress was a terrorist organisation. Later Communists were branded as terrorists. Now both of them are calling RSS a terrorist organisation. It is politically motivated. What the CPM and Congress are doing against them is physical/ intellectual terror.

Q. What is the influence of the bishops on the believers?
A. The bishops have only marginal influence on the believers. They cash in on their emotional weakness. There is a misconception that bishops/ churches decide voting trends. It is the institutional power of schools, colleges, hospitals, nursing schools and commercial establishments that make them powerful. But slowly the hegemony of this institutional power is breaking and the bishops are not getting unquestioned obedience. Intellectuals are questioning their authority. Moreover the entire Christian wealth of India belongs to Pope. This is nothing but colonialism. Bishops are being appointed by Pope, not elected by believers. There is increasing opposition to this.

Q. What about Swadeshi churches?
A. India had a Swadeshi Church. Even though China is having it, it is the creation of the State. The Indian Church was broken by the Portuguese' who made it Westernised. It has to be reestablished and re-installed. Pope should have control only over moral and spiritual issues and not over Christian property in India.
 


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