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Puri pontiff agrees to talks with Christian leaders

Bibhuti Mishra in Bhubaneswar

After prolonged shadow-boxing between the Christian community and forces of Hindutva, the stage is set for a reconciliation with Swami Nischalananda Saraswati, Shankaracharya of Puri Gobardhan Peeth agreeing to enter into a dialogue with Christian leaders. This development was a result of the meeting between the shankaracharya and Sajan K George, national convenor of the Global Council of Indian Christians.

The shankaracharya who had boosted the counter-conversion movement by getting more than 70 Christian tribals reconverted to Hinduism in Manoharpur recently said, "Conversion is the main problem and we have to see who created the problem - Christians or Hindus. Those responsible have to first desist from this activity."

George was acting on behalf of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India, the Pentecostal Fellowship of India and the National Church Council of India. While giving his consent to attend a proposed meeting of the spiritual heads of all the religious communities in Delhi, the shankaracharya insisted on a preparatory meeting between a church representative and himself, 'so that the Delhi meeting does not fail'. Swami Nischalananda asked George to arrange a meeting with Pope John Paul II too.

The shankaracharya has also been invited to the national celebration of Jesus Christ's birthday to be observed on September 24 in Bangalore. However, the Christian community's opposition to the Orissa Freedom of Religion Act, 1961 (amended in 1999) might be a stumbling block in the reconciliation process.

"Change of religion is a private affair born of a change of heart and convictions. When a person does not inform the district magistrate about his proposed marriage or such personal issues, why should he inform the collector about a change of religion?" George asked. The GCIC plans to take this issue to the International Court of Justice.

The Bhubaneswar Christian Community and Orissa Minorities Forum have already filed cases in the Orissa high court against the Act. George also criticised the government's investigation into the source of funds to Christian outfits.

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