By Xavier J Raj, SJ
Rome, Feb 27, 2020: Around 200 Indians from various religions living in Italy met in Rome recently to pray for unity, integrity and protection of the constitutional values in their motherland.
Even others who believe in unity, peace, integrity and democratic and secular values of India attended the interreligious program.
“The events of last few months in India, around CAA, NRC, NPR and abrogation of Artircle 370 and the people’s resistance from universities to streets reveal a growing sense of fear and anxiety over India’s democracy and secularism,” said the invitation sent widely among Indians and other associates in Italy.
The February 21 prayer began with the lighting of the lamp in front of the Indian flag and the recital of a hymn for peace Asatoma Sadgamaya (lead me from untruth to truth) from Upanishad set the mood for the prayer.
Three different religious texts, from Maha Upanishad (6.71-75), Bible (Mt 12:1-12) and Quran (13.18.20-24) used for prayer, were inter-twined with moments of silent prayer and songs. The three songs chosen included Tagore’s song of Let my country awake, Francis of Assisi’s Make me a channel of peace and the bhajan of ‘Vaishnava jan to’ of Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram.
At the end of the prayer, the participants promised to continue upholding and protecting the values enshrined in the Indian Constitution by reading the preamble together and sang the National Anthem with a deep sense of unity and solidarity with all people of India.
A letter written to the President of India was also read out and it was unanimously approved and signed by majority participants.
The letter expresses the “anguish over the recent developments, which have put into question the fundamental Constitutional values of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity.”
It further says, “CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) which makes religious affiliation the basis for granting citizenship… appears to compromise the secular credentials of the Indian Republic, and runs counter to our much-acclaimed ideology of ‘vasudhaiva kutumbakam’ (whole world is a family), ‘vishwabandhutva’ (universal brotherhood), and ‘anekta mein ekta’ (unity in diversity).”
The letter condemns the violence used against the student community and women and emphasises that it is “a violation of the fundamental rights of the citizens of India, a counter-witness to our celebrated culture of ‘ahimsa’ and ‘karuna’, and seriously damages the fair image of our country as a secular, pluralist democracy.”
The signatories of the letter urged the president “to safeguard these fundamental ideals and ensure a sense of security in the heart of every Indian” and to convey their concern to “those in the central government.”
Copy of the letter to the Indian President
To:
His Excellency,
Ram Nath Kovind,
The President of India
Subject: Statement of concern regarding the recent developments in India that threaten the very idea and identity of India.
Your Excellency,
Ever since Independence, the international community has viewed India as a symbol of peace, nonviolence and universal brotherhood. Our great forefathers, who fought and even died for the freedom of this land, passed on to us their noble vision for India as a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic.
The recent developments in India, however, have given us reason to believe that the very identity of India as a secular democracy is threatened today. The recent adoption of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which makes religious affiliation the basis for granting Indian citizenship to immigrants who have entered India up to 31st December 2014, appears to compromise the secular credentials of the Indian Republic, and runs counter to our much acclaimed ideology of ‘vasudhaiva kutumbakam’ (whole world is a family), ‘vishwabandhutva (universal brotherhood)’ and ‘anekta mein ekta’ (unity in diversity). The implications of the proposed National Population Register (NPR) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), in light of the comments from Hon’ble Home Minister, instill a sense of fear and anxiety in the citizens of the country, particularly among those who are likely to be affected by this discriminatory law.
The violence with which legitimate protest against the Act has been handled, especially the violence against the student community and women, is a violation of the fundamental rights of the citizens of India, a counter-witness to our celebrated culture of ‘ahimsa’ (non-violence) and ‘karuna’ (compassion), and seriously damages the fair image of our country as a secular, pluralist democracy.
We, the undersigned Indian citizens resident in Italy, express our deep anguish over these recent developments, which have put into question the fundamental Constitutional values of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity that underpin our incredible India. We humbly request that Your Excellency, as First Citizen of India, would fulfill your obligation to safeguard these fundamental ideals and ensure a sense of security in the heart of every Indian. We also ask you to kindly convey our concern to the persons responsible, especially those in the central government.
Assuring Your Excellency of our wholehearted cooperation in building up and maintaining our Motherland’s true identity as a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic Republic, and with the plea that these sentiments will receive your early and active attention, we remain, Sincerely Yours,
Concerned Citizens of India in Italy
CC: Indian Ambassador in Italy