Hindu leader soothes Kerala Church leaders

(Feb.09,2010): In southern India’s Kerala State, the leader of a rightwing Hindu group held out an olive branch to the heads of three Churches in Kerala during the weekend, in a bid to improve its relations with Christians and Muslims. “Our discussions were fruitful and on a friendly note,” Ram Madhav, spokesperson of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS, national volunteers corps), told UCA News on Monday. The RSS is the umbrella organization of Hindu radical groups blamed for spearheading violence against Christians and Muslims in Gujarat, Orissa and other Indian states. Madhav noted that there was apprehension among religious minority groups toward his organization. He blamed some political parties for painting the RSS as anti-minority,and said there is no truth in it. We want to clear those apprehensions and fears and pave way for a healthy dialogue.
In Kerala, Madhav met Bishop Joshua Mar Ignathios, president of Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council, and heads of two factions of the Orthodox Church and the Marthoma Church. Madhav said he was invited by the Church leaders to their meeting on Feb. 24 in Kerala’s Kollam town, where RSS head Mohan Bhagwat is expected to attend. Bishop Ignathios who confirmed the meeting, said Madhav came to the bishop’s house and they had a brief meeting. The RSS initiative comes as Kerala prepares for state legislative assembly elections scheduled for April 2011. Christians and Muslims constitute 41 percent of the state’s electorate.