The BJP tries to self analyze and distant itself from Hindu extremism

ICC Note: The political party that has caused most of the persecution against Christians in India is realizing that violence does not work after losing the most recent elections to a more moderate party.

by CT Nilesh
06/24/09 India (AsiaNews) – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) must reflect on its Hinduist ideological fundamentals; Is what has emerged from the Parties National Executive committee meeting held on the 20th and 21st of June, for the first time after the defeat in the last elections. After analyzing the causes of the defeat that once again handed the government of the country to the Congress, the BJP leaders reached to the conclusion that an aggressive interpretation of the Hindu ideology (Hindutva) has alienated the religious minorities and also the moderate Hindus. Through the efforts of the committee they passed a resolution against theocracy and religious bigotry. L.K.Advani, leader of the opposition in the Lower house of the Indian Parliament , expressed his concern for a certain type of “narrow-minded and anti-Muslim interpretation” of the party doctrine of HIndutva. In his speech he confirms that “Theocracy or any sort of bigotry is alien to our ethos. Hinduism or Hindutva is not to be understood or construed narrowly confined only to religious practices or expressed in extreme forms”

BJP leaders agree on the need for rendering more inclusive the parties doctrine, but they have also openly condemned those members who used the press instead of the Committee to manifest their dissent against the party leaders. They most cited case is Arun Shourie, who criticized the lack of self evaluation on behalf of the party leaders and who is famous in India for his journalism and books against Christian missionaries, the Dalit and the leader and father figure of the battle for the rights of the outcast, B.R. Ambedkar… [Go To Full Story]