Jain businessman who promoted Bible passes away

By Matters India Reporter

Indore: A Jain businessman, who funded the publication of Bible reflections running to ten volumes eight years ago, died in Indore, Madhya Pradesh state.

Ajit Kumar Kasliwal passed away on November 19 after a prolonged period of illness. He was 84.

Father Alengaden says the Jain businessman was a sign of hope when India experiences tension and conflicts among followers of various religions. Kasaliwal not only learned about other faiths but motivated others to do the same, the priest adds.

“The root cause of these conflicts is prejudice and lack of understanding each other. An intense desire to learn about other faiths, especially the original source- the scriptures and the teachings contained in them- is essential to get liberated from prejudices and misunderstanding about the other faiths,” asserts Father Alengaden.

Kasliwal obtained doctorate from Devi Ahilya Vishwa Vidhyalya (Indore University) for his work in Jain philosophy. He was a member and office bearer of a number of social organizations in Indore city, the commercial capital of the central Indian state.

Kasliwal was a strict follower of Jainism, but that did not prevent him from learning about other religions, accept the diversity of faiths, appreciate the noble elements in other faiths and promote them.

“He understood the real meaning of Indian secularism in the sense of accepting, appreciating and promoting diversities,” Father Alengaden says.

He was the patron of Indian Society of Authors of Indore Chapter. Kasliwal “was a lover of books and had built up a large library of books related to philosophy, scriptures of various religions and literature. He made available a hall near the library for conducting seminars and workshops by various cultural and social organizations,” says Father Varghese Alengaden, founder-director of Indore-based Universal Solidarity Movement.

The Catholic priest says Kasliwal came to his help when he was desperately looking for a financier to publish his Bible reflections titled “God in Flesh and Blood.”

During 2002, Father Alengaden wrote the daily Gospel reflections according to the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church. He required 1 million rupees to publish 3,000 copies of the ten volumes running into 1,878 pages.

“One day during my conversation, Kasliwal he came to know of my efforts to apply the teachings of Christ to the sociopolitical cultural context of India through these volumes. He immediately responded saying, “Don’t delay the publication; I will advance the money needed for the printing of 3,000 copies. You may reimburse the amount as and when you sell the books.”

Father Alengaden says it was indeed it was God’s intervention and a miracle.

Kasliwal not only advanced the money for the printing, but organized a function to release the volumes. Prior to the release, he gave the books’ copies to five persons in Indore who belonged to different faiths. He requested them to share their comments during the inauguration. He took interest in the promotion of the books, Father Alengaden says.