ICC Note:
Last week, RSS cheif Mohan Bhagwat remarked that Mother Teresa only did good works in India because she was attempting to convert people to Christianity. This statement against Mother Teresa has been met with backlash from not only India’s Christian community, but also from India’s other minority communities such as Sikhs and Muslims. On Tuesday, a joint rally was held protesting against the RSS statement and calling on Bhagwat to apologize for the remarks he made.
3/6/2015 India (Sikh 24) – A demonstration was held by the State Forum of Minorities Organization at Esplanade East to protest RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s remarks about Nobel laureate Mother Teresa.
More than 500 people from Sikh and Muslim communities too participated in this protest that was held on Tuesday, March, 3.
Bhagwat had recently said Mother Teresa provided service to the poor but her motive was to convert them into Christianity, leading to a great uproar from all sides.
Herodh Mallick, Kolkata state president of ‘Bangiya Christiya Pariseva’ (Bengali Christian Organization) asked the question to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as to why is he silent on Bhagwat’s remarks on “respected Mother Teresa.”
Mallick said, few days ago, Modi had assured to the minority communities that freedom/rights of their religion would be given to minorities in the country and that they will live safely. “However, after that assurance, communal groups continuously spreading hatred throughout the country. In this case, why is the Prime Minister playing a silent role?” Mallick asked.
Claiming that “Mother Teresa had no intention to convert anybody into Christianity and her works only related to mankind,” Mallick suggested Bhagwat to “not sow the communal elements in the country. Forget the hatred and jealousy, please follow the Mother Teresa’s dedicated service to the helpless people.”
He also demanded Bhagwat’s apology.
State president of All India Minority Youth Federation Muhammad Kamruzzaman said, “She was given Bharat Ratna for her services. So, any controversial comments about her means, disrespect to the Indian dignity. RSS leaders have started communal play after Narendra Modi led BJP government came to power at the Centre.”
State leader of the Sikh community Jagmohan Singh Gil said, “It is unfortunate that RSS leader blamed her, who devoted her whole the life for the poor people, for conversion in the garb of social work. This kind of statement should stop immediately.”
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