March 22, 2017, Washington, DC.
Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations (FIACONA) is deeply disturbed by the total abdication of responsibility by Prime Minister Modi’s nationalist Hindu government in resolving an issue which affects at least 147,000 poor Indian children and their future, besides putting US-India relationship at a greater risk.
A US based Christian charity, Compassion International (CI), for the past 48
years has been helping the families that are stuck at the very bottom of the
society in India, by helping their children get a better future. There are over
147,000 poor and marginalized children currently enrolled in CI's India
program. The aid provided by Compassion International helps break the cycle of
poverty and indignity these children have experienced.
But the government headed by a radical Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP) and its leader Mr. Narendra Modi, are denying the only help these Indian
children have been receiving. The reason for their action seems to be
ideological - which their government won’t even acknowledge officially.
Prime Minister Modi’s decision to expel Compassion International from India for
their ideological reason will effectively condemn 147000 children to a life of
indignity and grinding poverty. Mr. Modi’s decision effectively denies these
children a shot at what life could offer them.
Mr. David Prasanna, one of FIACONA members from New Jersey said, “Mr. Modi’s
resolve to expel Compassion International from India on false charges will
irrevocably affect not only the future of the children currently enrolled in
their program but it will also affect hundreds of thousands of children who
could get a life-line to escape the cycle of grinding poverty and indignity in
future”.
Pastor Joel Johnson, an active member of FIACONA said, “It is an assault on a
2000 year old Christian church in India by a radical group under the leadership
of Mr. Modi”.
Dr. Ravi Mathews, another member of FIACONA from Tennessee points out that the
action taken by Modi government on trumped up charges, is a crime against the
vulnerable people of India.
He also pointed out that the action by Modi government is a national shame
because, it effectively denies hundreds of thousands of children the only means
to a life of dignity and respect.
FIACONA believes that this action by Modi government against Christian aid
agencies is an attempt by the political-Hinduism to hijack the rich religious
traditions of religious Hinduism and the people of India.
Mr. Modi’s hardcore Hindu nationalist government should also decide if their
ideological argument is worth damaging the important US-India relationship.
The hardline approach of the Hindu nationalist government under Modi has the
potential to cause serious damage to the US-India relationship at a time when
India needs the US more than the other-way around.
FIACONA understands that these actions against Christian institutions is a
serious issue that affects the US interests in India.
John Prabhudoss
President, FIACONA.