MUMBAI, India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent embrace of Pope Francis and his invitation for the pontiff to visit India have ignited political controversy in a country still grappling with the aftermath of a heated election campaign. Despite Modi’s government being reappointed, it did not secure the same level of support as in previous terms. This gesture has been interpreted differently across India’s diverse political landscape.
In Mumbai, BJP MP Ashish Shelar displayed posters of the embrace, highlighting the “mutual love, commitment, and respect” between Modi and the pope, alongside the prime minister’s invitation to the pontiff. These posters were strategically placed near the Holy Family Hospital, where Jesuit Fr. Stan Swamy died three years ago after nine months of imprisonment on charges many consider unjust.
Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad responded sharply on social media, questioning the BJP’s sincerity. She pointed out the persecution of Christians in Manipur, where 157 churches were destroyed and over 70,000 people were displaced. Gaikwad also referenced the death of Fr. Stan Swamy, who was denied medical aid and allegedly tortured in prison. She accused the BJP of stripping Christian institutions of their FCRA licenses and ignoring violence against Christians.
Gaikwad’s critique did not stop there. She accused the BJP of hypocrisy, using the Christian community for votes while failing to protect them from persecution. This sentiment was echoed in Kerala, where a Congress tweet ironically referred to Modi as “God” in light of his earlier inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The tweet sparked significant controversy, leading to its retraction and a public apology from the Congress party to the Christian community.
The BJP seized the opportunity to criticize the Congress, accusing them of being influenced by radical Islamists or Maoist guerrillas. The Congress clarified that their tradition does not insult religions or religious figures, and they maintained their right to criticize Modi for his perceived arrogance and political maneuvers.
Amidst the political back-and-forth, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) expressed joy over Modi’s invitation to Pope Francis. In their statement, they noted that Modi had expressed this intention last year. The CBCI looks forward to the pope’s visit and hopes for greater collaboration with the government on social and environmental issues.
The invitation comes at a significant time, as Goa prepares for the ten-year exhibition of the relics of St. Francis Xavier from November 21, 2024, to January 5, 2025. Governor of Goa, also a BJP member, had mentioned the potential visit during the election campaign. However, given Pope Francis’s commitments, including a planned trip to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore in September, the feasibility of the visit remains uncertain.
