Apparently, many Indian Christian leaders are supporting Modi because he is promising jobs, despite his party’s alignment with Hindutva: tough anticonversion laws, a crackdown on public criticism of Hinduism, and further limits on religious minorities.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2014/april/indias-christians-shrug.html

You took this bold step of stating what would it be if the inevitable had to come to pass. And, this i’m typing presently watching the results of the election, which clearly depicts the inevitable coming to pass.

As you have stated, PRAYER is THE ANSWER and there is nowhere else you can run to hide.

I really encourage you to keep up the good work that you have started so that the sluggish christians (that includes me), take this as a wake up call and do that which has to be done without tarrying. In Chennai, some 40 odd independent pastors before election held a prayer meeting for MODI TO BECOME PM. I sincerely urge that people stand for God and not for money or power and hold on to our good faith.

God Bless!!

Here is the full text of his letter sent out to students, and posted on the St. Xavier’s website

”
The approaching elections have brought an interesting discussion to the public forum on what constitutes human development and how it is to be achieved. The Gujarat model has been highlighted for our consideration. That is very apt because it puts in stark contrast two current views. Is the growth of big business, the making of huge profits, the achievement of high production – what we seek? Or is it the quality of life for the majority in terms of affordable basic goods and services and the freedom to take forward the cultural aspirations of our plural social groups that make up India?

Gujarat may be doing well in the first sense, although not as good as some other States in the country. But all the Human Development Index indicators and the cultural polarization of the population show that Gujarat has had a terrible experience in the last 10 years. Take the example of education: schools for the ordinary populace show abject neglect with a very high dropout rate in the last 10 years. Higher Education has not been allowed to move forward. To take just an example, St. Xavier’s College Ahmedabad, thrice NAAC accredited with an equivalent of the A grade, has not been able to gain permission from the Gujarat Government for Academic Autonomy, for the last 10 years and has finally won a battle in the High Court to approach the UGC directly for this status. Gujarat has also been the worst performer in settling claims and distributing title deeds to tribal people and other forest dwellers, as shown by the latest data put out by the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry. Till 2013, the State, with 15% tribal population, settled only 32 per cent of the claims, the lowest rate in the country.

As opposed to this, efforts like the Rojgar Yojana and the Food Security Act have been called “election sops”. However some of our best social scientists like Amartya Sen and Jean Dreze have supported these as necessary in the emergency economic situation the country and the world is facing. The country is grateful that committed activists like Aruna Roy and Shailesh Gandhi have worked with the Government to initiate and sustain the Right to Information Act which makes accountability possible. Corruption still needs to be addressed effectively but since it is so prevalent at every level of society, it will take civil society long agonizing efforts to root it out.

A massive investment in health and education is sorely needed in our country of widening disparities and those who support big business and its unethical profits will never agree to such public expenditure for the masses. In fact, the worsening situation of environmental degradation and depletion, in the lunge for growth and profit, shows up the real intentions of the greedy. None can withstand this, as seen by the many clearances given in a week’s time after the recent change of guard at the Central Environment Ministry, which had earlier tried to hold the line under a different Minister.

So what lessons does a reflection on the approaching elections teach us? The prospect of an alliance of corporate capital and communal forces coming to power constitutes a real threat to the future of our secular democracy. Support for people who pledge to work to take Human Development Indicators higher and who commit themselves to a pluralistic culture in diverse India – this is the hope for the future. No magic wand or divine miracles will come to the aid of the Indian people. Their reasoned choice of individuals and political parties who promise to work for a real quality of life for all, will see India prosper or flounder on the precipice. Choose well!”

Dear G. Rajagopalan, Thank you for your comment, and it would indeed be good news for everyone if my fears were unfounded! I hope so. And an efficient and cleaner government is, indeed, much to be desired. Thank you for visiting!

hello anita ,

as one of the countless Indians who is supporting BJPs bid to secure a majority mandate to guide the country’s fortunes for the next 5 years or more , may I respectfully indicate that your fears are largely unfounded , based as they are on some stray incidents in the past and the recent campaign rhetoric . BJP in power is bound to provide a more efficient and relatively cleaner government that will drive the country to greater heights in the years to come .

Let us review the situation a few months from now….

g rajagopalan nair

Thanks Mari.
I think there will be sporadic outbreaks of violence against Christians. This has been steadily increasing since the BJP, the RSS and the “Sangh Parivar” association of militant Hindus have gained power. Depending on how much violent rhetoric Modi tolerates this could increase. Cultivating an us versus them mentality has helped him into power, and perhaps even into the premiership. Our best hope is that once in power, he will curb violence and religious hatred because, in the long run, these are bad for the economy. His stated goal is to make India an economic powerhouse like South Korea or Singapore, and both nations have peace between various religious groups. I’m praying.

Hi Elizabeth, to refer to an Indian politician as “clean” means he does not personally take bribes nor condone bribery in his government. According to the media, Modi is “clean” in both respects. Rahul Gandhi is certainly personally “clean.”
“What is the condition of his heart?” you ask. That is my question too, “Is he more of a good man or a bad man.” I would say at the moment, he is a primarily a technocrat, so is not operating at the level of emotion. He will do what is necessary to get him elected, and then what is necessary for a thriving, prosperous economy.
Economic development has been impressive on his watch; human development less do. Gujarat ranks 11 in the nation out of 28 states in the human development indices, when it comes to malnutrition among under-5’s, women’s health and literacy (2/3rds are illiterate). The dalits, the very poor, and, of course, Muslims, have not been included in his economic gains for the most part.
I think his election sounds inevitable, and it will not be good news to the disadvantaged or to Christians.
At such times, I draw great comfort from the truth that the whole world is in God’s hands!

Yes, Mr. Modi is living a “clean” lifestyle, but what is the condition of his heart? How open is he to seniors, children, the disabled, and people in all sorts of poverty? How open is he to both ethnic and religious minorities? Sure, he might be “good” for India’s economy, and cause the GDP to make healthy gains. But these additional questions are questions I would ask of him, and ask of myself, before voting for him.

I was especially moved by the reference you made to Kristallnacht. Yes, yes, and yes. Truly a politician to watch–and we had better keep a sharp eye on him, and his policies! Thanks again. @chaplaineliza

It would be awful if the Christians ran away, wouldn’t it? How likely are they to be persecuted to the extent they should, do you think? (Mythology, of course, says that Thomas the apostle went to India… )

Nationalism seems to be dividing up the world today… nationalism is indeed the enemy of Christ’s teaching – which of course says that there are no such divisions and calls us all to be under God not under nationalistic rulers, and to regard everyone as having worth. How frightful for those Christian and Muslim minorities, I don’t think we in the West ever hear much about this, unless an incident is picked out on the News…

Praying!