A Jesuit manifesto for Indian elections

(April 14,2009): The Indian Jesuits have published a manifesto on the occasion of the general elections for the federal parliament to be held in the various Indian States between 16 April and May 13. The scope of their manifesto is - “To reaffirm economic, social and cultural rights of
the citizens, along with civil rights”. The manifesto, which is addressed to future leaders, invites them to make a strong commitment to the rights of the weakest, the marginalized and discriminated, and to promote peace and harmony while defending human rights.
The lengthy and detailed document was presented in New Delhi, during a workshop that involved those from many parts of Indian civil society. Among the priorities pointed out by the Jesuits, there is also the need to defend and help the "caste-less" and the indigenous population, to assure peaceful co-existence, religious freedom and to guarantee the basic necessities, such as food, housing, education and health to everyone, especially those in rural areas.
The document also calls for an improvement of the justice system, and says "Any attempt to inflame religious animosity and disrespect for others, or, which alters the thinking of young people about Indian history and cultural differences has to be stopped".