The Catholic church of Puducherry has said that the “ulterior motive” of amending FCRA was to create a lot of stress and trouble among the minorities. “They don’t want us involved in the social upliftment of the poor, downtrodden and the rejected,” Father AJ Philomindoss, financial administrator of the Archdiocese of Pondicherry and Cuddalore, told ET. “We are not against majoritarian Hinduism but are against Hindutva,” he said.
Vicar general of Archdiocese of Pondicherry and Cuddalore, Father Kulandaisamy S, said the community felt that BJP coming to power might cause trouble. “It was better when Congress was in power because they did not restrict us this way and were not against us,” he said. Father Philomindoss, however, said Congress too has the same philosophy as BJP, but in a milder form. He said denial of SC status for Christians was Congress’ failure too.
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The religious heads, however, said since there is a large Catholic population in Puducherry, AINRC-BJP government was not openly against them. “Sometimes they didn’t approve of us, but in general they were helpful,” Father Kulandaisamy said.
The Catholic Church of Puducherry also came out strongly against the allegations of forced conversion and asked the government to statistically prove that foreign funds were used for such conversions. “Most of the foreign funds we receive go towards education and social developmental activities, not for any conversion,” Father Kulandaisamy said.
Christians make up roughly 6.3% of the population in Puducherry. Many of those from the UT that ET spoke to echoed these sentiments about the current regime.
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“I will vote for Congress,” said 53-year-old homemaker Pascal Mary. “This government is not really doing anything for Christians and has gone to the extent of now changing our caste certificates from BC to OBC (other backward classes).” “BJP is a threat (to pluralism),” said C Charles, 55, who owns Darina Travels.
Some others from the community, especially younger people, said they were thinking of voting for the new party on the block – TVK.
