NEW DELHI: Narendra Modi’s guest on the occasion of Janmashtmi was a priest in saffron robes. In a politico-religious twist, the guest wore a Cross. The president of Catholic Bishops, on behalf Indian Church, extended support to Modi for his agenda of good governance in a meeting held last week. The Catholic country-head passed the word down to the folks to “set aside their religious differences for development.”
The meeting between PM Modi and Cardinal Cleemis was given prominence by “Radio Vaticana”, the official broadcasting service of the Vatican. The changing political-religious scenario in the country shows an increasing bonhomie between the BJP and Christian leaders. Both sides are careful not to raise touchy issues like Kandhamal and conversion. The Cardinal has requested the PM to invite Pope Francis to India. Apparently, he raised the issue of “lack of Christian faces” in the government.
The issue and the timing of the meeting between Modi and the Cardinal assumes significance amidst rumours of Kerala Congress leader K M Mani, the most prominent Catholic face in the Congress-led UDF government in the state, joining the BJP. “There is an increasing bonhomie between the Christian leaders and the BJP. It is bound to increase regardless of Mani joining hands with the BJP,” said a Christian Congress leader.
Cardinal Cleemis said that it is “immature to discuss hypothetical questions” as there has been no major incident of sectarian violence in the country after the Modi government came to power. “He (Modi) has just begun the rule. When the prime minister declares moratorium on violence based on religion, it is not right for us to read anything beyond that,” he said.
The picture wasn’t this rosy a few months ago. Modi as a PM candidate had approached the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) seeking a chance to address their conference where Bishops from all over the country had assembled. His request was turned down. The Catholic Church, which has always been Congress’ friend, especially in Kerala, did not want to be seen rubbing shoulders with the PM hopeful with a “tainted past”.
Modi is PM now. The “taint” seems to have disappeared. The CBCI approached the PMO for an appointment and the request was immediately accepted, courtesy the BJP minority cell and the over-zealous Kerala BJP unit. “We had sought for a 15-minute meeting and the PMO was very pro-active this time. We were allotted 20 minutes. The PM and the Cardinal met for 30 minutes,” said a source.
Apparently, the PM and the Cardinal who had worn his trademark saffron robes and a rudraksh with a cross at its end, were highly impressed with each other. Modi even wanted to know about the reason for the unusual colour of the Cardinal’s robe. “The Cardinal explained to Modi that his sect—the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church—is the closest to Indian ethos and tradition,” said the source.
Cardinal Cleemis, who was elected the head of the Indian Catholic Church almost three months before the polls, was generous in his praise for Modi. “He received me as someone he knew for long,” he said. The Cardinal added that he had found “genuine warmth” in the talks.
The Cardinal, who had visited Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, was struck by the difference in the PMO. “It was a holiday (Janmashtami). The PMO was fully active unlike the previous government. Our Cardinal was full of praise for Modi’s style of governance,” said a priest.
He was also impressed by “Modi’s understanding of things and his promptness in replying, unlike the wavering replies of Manmohan,’’ said the source.