Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting the US and reminds us of the specter of how he and his BJP party used communalism to foster their rise to power.  In India, the term “community” is used to identify religious, caste, or ethnic groups.  It is accepted wisdom that the communities are set against one another to manipulate public opinion and foster political ends.    One of the worst riots in India since the time of the partition of Pakistan and India occurred in the state that Modi governed in 2002. Approximately 1000 Muslims were killed as the police and army stood and watched.  He escaped any culpability.

The enthusiasm around the election of Modi as Prime Minister of India reminds me of the early days of Obama’s election.  However, this enthusiasm is displayed only within the Hindu majority and his rise to power reflects both a questionable nationalistic impulse as well as optimism that his pro-business attitude will enhance India’s growth and development.    India is a parliamentary system and his party gained a plurality of votes that was effectively a landslide for Modi.  This plurality was unique in that people in the world’s largest democracy were voting for his party so that he could be chosen prime minister.  It has been 25-30 years since the prime minister enjoyed ruling without the need to form a power sharing coalition government.  The young embrace him as they view him as having the answers to many intractable problems.  Indisputably, he built out the infrastructure of his state, Gujarat, and help create a manufacturing base not found in many places.  Curiously, though, the infrastructure does not benefit Muslim communities in Gujarat.  Roads and electric power stop at the borders of Muslim neighborhoods.

Modi’s BJP party has used the Hindu religion for its purposes for decades.    In 1992, BJP incited a mob of tens of thousands of Hindus  in the holy city of Ajodhya to storm and demolish a Muslim mosque. Hindus believe that the mosque was built in the 16^th century on the site of the birthplace of the Hindu deity  Ram.    One of the planks of BJP’s platform is to build a temple to Ram on this site. ( Modi however as prime minister is more focused on putting toilets in every school.  There are more temples than toilets in India.)

In 2002, a  train of pilgrims was returning from Ajodhya  to Modi’s state. On the way home, the train stopped in a community renowned for religious tension between the Hindu and Muslim communities.  The train of pilgrims chanted various religious slogans which resulted in violence.  Within 15 minutes of stopping, a train car went up in flames causing almost 60 deaths.

In a perhaps politically motivated  investigation that followed, it was discovered that the fire was an accident.  There was no incendiary device used.

Still, there is some testimony and circumstantial evidence that are damning for Modi.   Right after the train car fire,  Modi approved the transfer of the charred remains of the Hindu decedents for purposes of displaying them in a public square.  This display was contrary to  Indian law that only allows a transfer of remains to family members.  His close aides also encouraged a strike which helped to foment a riot.  A high state official who was later murdered provided testimony that Modi told officials the day after the train burst into flames to take no action against the rioters.  Not one Hindu  was arrested among the tens of thousands rioting.  The riots lasted for weeks displacing 150,000 people, destroying 20,000 Muslim businesses and homes and 360 mosques.  1000 people, mostly Muslims, died.

During this year’s election, Modi stated that the religious violence that swept his state was simply a reaction.  He has never apologized for the violence that occurred because of his inaction.  Even now, BJP rhetoric encourages Muslims to leave the country.   I can only shake my head.   It confirms the comments of our Indian Muslim driver that BJP and  its affiliated nationalistic organizations do not consider Muslims Indian.  Modi himself does not indulge in such rhetoric leaving hope that perhaps he will be a unifying rather than dividing force.  However, as he did when he governed Gujarat, he stands by and allows the inflammatory rhetoric.  Even though he has transformed his image as a leader who can foster growth, he built his power base on a platform of hate that continues to make the Muslim community nervous.

Modi is a “religious” man.  Even now,  during his visit to the US, he is fasting during the 9 day Hindu religious festival of Navrati which honors a different Hindu goddess each day.  May his heart be touched by God so that he can see that we are all God’s children.  May he reinforce the constitution of India which declares India to be a secular state and a home for the  toleration of religious diversity.

 

See http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/04/06/world/asia/modi-gujarat-riots-timeline.html?emc=eta1#/#time287_8514 for a timeline and in depth reporting on Modi and BJP.

My mom recently celebrated her 100^th Birthday.  We had a great family gathering.  Over 100 family members, descendants of her brother and sister and my dad’s siblings’ kids came together for a family reunion. It was a wonderful day of Irish music, looking at photographs of my immigrant grandparents, their cousins, my  aunts and uncles, and sharing of our memories.  My mom shared that her secret to her long life was all about living for her kids and the extended family.  She also asked that I share a note that  I had written for her on Mother’s Day with the extended family. I shared the following:

 

Today we celebrate the life of my mom.

As Catholic contemplatives, we know, see and embrace God through one another, the beauty of creation and the events of our lives.

I would like to make explicit how my mother serves as an example of God’s presence to us through one another and thank the Lord for how we are blessed by God’s presence in my mother in so many ways.  My mom reveals God’s nurturing, loving, generous presence and nature.  This little acknowledgement is based on a note I wrote on Mother’s day which fell on Good Shepherd Sunday.  So my note is based on Psalm 23 and is addressed to my mom.  It follows:

Surely Goodness and Kindness have followed me all the days of my life.

God comes to me through you.

Like a Good Shepherd, you watch over me.

Guard me.

Encourage me to go on right paths.

You nourish me and lead me to green pastures where I experience the abundance of life.

These green pastures include an incredibly happy childhood and many family parties that you, Jo, Marge, Loretta, and Bea  hosted.

Together you created warm environments to celebrate a variety of occasions.

Through you I experience love with no conditions.

You always provide insight into my areas of strengths and gifts and encourage them.

You never allow me to sell myself short.

Through you I see and experience God’s generosity.

You do not cling to money but use it to support us in every way.

You are generous with your life as you have lovingly devoted it to your family by creating a true home that is a sanctuary from the turbulence of life.

A safe harbor.

 

Surely, Goodness and Kindness have followed me all the days of my life.