Skip to main content

India 'needs a Romero' who takes a stand for those who are harassed and incarcerated

By Fr Cedric Prakash SJ* 
This year, 24 March, was pregnant with meaning! For a large percentage of Indians, it was ‘Holika Dahan’, the start of the great festival of Holi! For most Christians, it was the commemoration of ‘Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord’, the commencement of their holiest of week. 
For millions, it was the painful remembrance of the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero, now a Saint of the Catholic Church. Significantly, as a tribute to this martyr of modern times, the United Nations General Assembly, observes the day globally, as the ‘International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims’. An important day indeed, on some many different counts! 
On ‘Holika Dahan’ (burning of Holika), Hindus prepare bonfires and symbolically burn ‘Holika’. According to legend, ‘Holika’ was a demoness, who personified all that was evil. She was the sister of Hiranyakashipu, and she acquired a boon that rendered her invulnerable to fire. She attempted to kill her nephew, Prahlada, by placing him on her lap in a bonfire. 
However, she was immolated while Prahlada, through the intervention of Lord Vishnu, was saved from the fire. It is the triumph of the victory of good over evil! Whilst the bonfire burns, people normally dance around it and sing songs extolling all that is good! The next day of Holi, is the celebration of spring, the vibrant colours which radiate India’s diversity and pluralism. ‘Holika Dahan’ is a reminder that no one, however seemingly powerful, is invincible; and that, good always overcomes evil! 
Palm Sunday is the day on which Christians remember the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem for the great Festival of the Passover. It is a moment of adulation! People welcome Jesus with olive branches and palm leaves. They take out their outer garments and strew them on the path he will take. A clear sign that they are ready to let go of their material possessions, in order to follow him. 
What the people do not understand is that the system itself is evil: it is fraught with bribery and betrayal, divisiveness and treachery – as we experience in India today! The powerful political and religious leaders of his time, were determined to see Jesus dead! 
The ordinary people eventually succumb to their wiles and manipulations, their intimidations and false propaganda and soon they will condemn him shouting “crucify him”! Jesus is killed because he takes an uncompromising and unequivocal stand for justice, truth, peace and salvation for all!  Easter Sunday, a week later, is his triumph over death!
Archbishop Oscar Romero, was the personification of the victory of good over evil and of the suffering, passion and death of Jesus which culminates in the Resurrection. On 24 March 1980, he was brutally gunned down whilst celebrating the Eucharist in his native El Salvador. He was a fiercely outspoken critic of his government, the military and of the fascist elements of his country, for their continued exploitation and exclusion of the poor. It was they who killed him! 
He visibly and vocally took sides with the poor, the marginalized, the vulnerable and with all who were victims of injustice. His martyrdom spontaneously made him a ‘Saint’ for millions of his people. It was estimated that more than 250,000 were present at his funeral as a sign of gratitude to the man who did so much for them and whom they deeply loved.
In his homily, a few moments before he was assassinated Romero said: 
“Many do not understand, and they think Christianity should not get involved in such things (taking a stand for truth and justice). But, to the contrary, you have just heard Christ's Gospel, that one must not love oneself so much as to avoid getting involved in the risks of life which history demands of us, that those who would avoid the danger will lose their life, while those who out of love for Christ give themselves to the service of others will live, like the grain of wheat that dies, but only apparently. If it did not die, it would remain alone. The harvest comes about because it dies, allows itself to be sacrificed in the earth and destroyed. Only by destroying itself does it produce the harvest”.
The day before (23 March) he was killed, Romero gave a powerful sermon, which was broadcast over radio, that appealed to the soldiers to disobey their superiors. He said:“In the name of God, in the name of this suffering people whose cries rise to Heaven more loudly each day, I implore you, I beg you, I order you in the name of God: Stop the repression!” That appeal was his death sentence. 
On December 21, 2010, the United Nations General Assembly, in a fitting annual tribute to Oscar Romero proclaimed March 24 as the International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims:
• to honour the memory of victims of gross and systematic human rights violations and promote the importance of the right to truth and justice;
• to pay tribute to those who have devoted their lives to, and lost their lives in the struggle to promote and protect human rights for all;
• to recognise, in particular, the important work and values of Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero of El Salvador, who was assassinated on 24 March 24,1980, after denouncing violations of the human rights of the most vulnerable populations and defending the principles of protecting lives, promoting human dignity and opposition to all forms of violence.
As a Christian, I do not believe in death without resurrection. If I am killed, I shall rise in the Salvadoran people
India today is steeped in untruth and injustice. Those who take a stand for justice and truth are harassed, incarcerated and even like Romero, killed!  Corruption is mainstreamed: be it demonetization or the Electoral Bonds scam. The minorities (particularly Muslims, Christian and Sikhs) are at the receiving end of a brutal system; divisiveness and discrimination rule the roost. ‘Leaders’ from across the spectrum are afraid of taking a visible and vocal stand against the powers that crush others. 
Several political, corporate and even ‘religious’ leaders use hate speeches and even resort to violence, to nurture their lust for power and greed for wealth. People are kept divided and on the fringes of society for whimsical reasons. 
Truth and justice are conveniently sacrificed for petty political gains; those whose primary duty is to propagate and protect our Constitution, our democratic ethos and pluralistic fabric, just abdicate their responsibility; they feel either too embarrassed or very frightened to take a stand or they just succumb to the ‘diktats’ of their masters. 
Draconian and anti-people policies like the Citizenship Amendment Act, the National Education Policy, the three anti-small farmer laws, the four labour codes are high on the agenda! The poor and the other vulnerable, continue to be the victims of unjust structures everywhere. Romero was never afraid to highlight these realities and take on the powerful of his land!
 Some days before he was killed, Romero stated, “As a Christian, I do not believe in death without resurrection. If I am killed, I shall rise in the Salvadoran people.” His words are still chanted today, “they can kill me, but they will never kill justice”. 
Today, our country and Church desperately need the likes of an Oscar Romero (not just one, but many!). A Romero who is not afraid to speak truth to power, to take on the fascist forces, to have the courage to burn the evil so that good triumphs. 
A Romero who is neither a hypocrite or takes recourse to diplomatic ‘niceties. A Romero who exemplifies servant-leadership and has the prophetic courage to die for others, so that they may rise! 
On 24 March 2024, we were all challenged to become ‘Romeros’ in today’s India! Are we ready to meet this challenge?
---
*Human rights, reconciliation & peace activist/writer

Comments

TRENDING

Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan raises concerns over Jharkhand Adivasis' plight in Assam, BJP policies

By Our Representative  The Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan (Save Democracy Campaign) has issued a pressing call to protect Adivasi rights in Jharkhand, highlighting serious concerns over the treatment of Jharkhandi Adivasis in Assam. During a press conference in Ranchi on November 9, representatives from Assam, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh criticized the current approach of BJP-led governments in these states, arguing it has exacerbated Adivasi struggles for rights, land, and cultural preservation.

Promoting love or instilling hate and fear: Why is RSS seeking a meeting with Rahul Gandhi?

By Ram Puniyani*  India's anti-colonial struggle was marked by a diverse range of social movements, one of the most significant being Hindu-Muslim unity and the emergence of a unified Indian identity among people of all religions. The nationalist, anti-colonial movement championed this unity, best embodied by Mahatma Gandhi, who ultimately gave his life for this cause. Gandhi once wrote, “The union that we want is not a patched-up thing but a union of hearts... Swaraj (self-rule) for India must be an impossible dream without an indissoluble union between the Hindus and Muslims of India. It must not be a mere truce... It must be a partnership between equals, each respecting the religion of the other.”

A Marxist intellectual who dwelt into complex areas of the Indian socio-political landscape

By Harsh Thakor*  Professor Manoranjan Mohanty has been a dedicated advocate for human rights over five decades. His work as a scholar and activist has supported revolutionary democratic movements, navigating complex areas of the Indian socio-political landscape. His balanced, non-partisan approach to human rights and social justice has made his books essential resources for advocates of democracy.

Four J&K MLAs visit Wular lake, pledge support to fisher community, environmental conservation

By Shamim Ahmed*   In a historic meeting that highlighted both environmental and social concerns, four Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) visited Wular Lake to meet with the fisherfolk community, signaling a significant step in addressing their longstanding issues. This gathering, organized with the support of dedicated advocates, marks a strengthening of efforts to both safeguard the lake’s ecosystem and support the community’s welfare.

Supreme Court’s dismissal of PIL on Covid vaccine safety is counter to known science and mathematics

By Bhaskaran Raman*  On 14 Oct 2024, the Supreme Court of India dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on the side-effects of the Covid vaccine. In 2021, the world saw the rollout of various Covid vaccine candidates. In India, Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin and Serum Institute of India’s Covishield were rolled out. Covishield was nothing but Oxford’s AstraZeneca relabelled in India. The importance of open-minded and scientific probe of Covid vaccine safety In 2020/2021, all Covid vaccines were authorized for emergency use, which meant that the necessary efficacy and safety follow-up was incomplete at that time. The originally approved trials – called randomised controlled trials (RCT) had a “vaccine” group and a “placebo” group for comparison. Such experimental comparison/control is the cornerstone of the scientific method – which even children learn in photosynthesis experiments in class-1. The vaccine trials were scheduled to conclude in late 2022/early 2023. For instance, Covax...

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah  The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual. 

Right-arm fast bowler who helped West Indies shape arguably greatest Test team in cricket history

By Harsh Thakor*  Malcolm Marshall redefined what it meant to be a right-arm fast bowler, challenging the traditional laws of biomechanics with his unique skill. As we remember his 25th death anniversary on November 4th, we reflect on the legacy he left behind after his untimely death from colon cancer. For a significant part of his career, Marshall was considered one of the fastest and most formidable bowlers in the world, helping to shape the West Indies into arguably the greatest Test team in cricket history.

Buddhist shrines were 'massively destroyed' by Brahmanical rulers: Historian DN Jha

Nalanda mahavihara By Our Representative Prominent historian DN Jha, an expert in India's ancient and medieval past, in his new book , "Against the Grain: Notes on Identity, Intolerance and History", in a sharp critique of "Hindutva ideologues", who look at the ancient period of Indian history as "a golden age marked by social harmony, devoid of any religious violence", has said, "Demolition and desecration of rival religious establishments, and the appropriation of their idols, was not uncommon in India before the advent of Islam".

Will Left victory in Sri Lanka deliver economic sovereignty plan, go beyond 'tired' IMF agenda?

By Atul Chandra, Vijay Prashad*  On September 22, 2024, the Sri Lankan election authority announced that Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) alliance won the presidential election. Dissanayake, who has been the leader of the left-wing JVP since 2014, defeated 37 other candidates, including the incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe of the United National Party (UNP) and his closest challenger Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya.