Hindu politician makes Christmas history

(December 28, 2010) The pro-Hindu chief minister of a central Indian state says that emulating Jesus Christ’s messages of love, compassion, peace and forgiveness would build a morally strong society. Church leaders in Madhya Pradesh state praised Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan for organizing a Christmas celebration at his official residence on Dec. 26. “This is a new beginning and history is made,” said Archbishop Leo Cornelio of Bhopal, who heads the Catholic Church in the state. The chief minister acknowledged Christians’ “great contributions” to the state’s development through social work, health care and education, the prelate told Ucanews on Tuesday. Archbishop Cornelio said this was the first time the state chief minister had organized a Christmas programme at his residence. He hoped the chief minister’s gesture would sent a message to Hindu hardliners who are blamed for attacks on Christians in the state. Christians erected a 20-feet star depicting the life of Jesus in front of the chief minister’s residence. More than 1,500 Christians from various denominations and other invited dignitaries joined the dinner, including Bishop Chacko Thottumarickal of Indore.