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Explain visa denial to Vatican officials

Last Updated 11 February 2015, 17:40 IST

One can understand the Christians if they feel besieged in India today.

As if the sporadic attacks on churches in Delhi and other parts are not enough, the government has denied visas to two top officials of the Vatican – Archbishop Arthur Roche and Archbishop Protase Rugambwa – without giving reasons.

The two officials intended coming to Bengaluru for the 27th National Assembly of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India from February 3-9. 

The denial of visas, which in the normal course would not have raised eyebrows as there could be a slew of reasons for it, is getting considerable attention in the context of growing communal tensions in various parts of the country since the coming to power of the Narendra Modi-led BJP coalition government at the Centre.

Though Home Minister Rajnath Singh has promised to provide reasons for the denial, it would have been in the fitness of things had the government voluntarily publicised why the two archbishops were denied visas without having to do so under public pressure.

In fact, the government should make it a point to give reasons for rejecting visas in all cases. It will help applicants know whether they will forever be denied visas or whether they have been held up on technical grounds.

Ironically, the denial of visas to the archbishops comes at a time when the government is making it possible for visitors from many countries to come to India using the “visa on arrival” facility. The government has said this is to encourage tourism and provide succour to a potentially money-earning sector.

Since the Modi Government came to power in May 2014, internationally perception is growing  that India’s secular status is getting compromised due to various activities of the majority Hindutva groups targeting minority communities with the tacit approval of the BJP dispensation.

This was reflected in United States President Barack Obama’s parting shot at the Central Government at the end of his recent visit to India warning against stoking inter-religious tensions as, according to him, it would impede the country’s progress. Obama interestingly followed up his comments with a remark that Mahatma Gandhi would have been shocked at communal tensions in India today.

While Indians don’t necessarily have to hang on to Obama’s remarks, it is also true that for someone like him to make such statements amidst much bonhomie with Modi it is that secular sections around the world must be worrying over anti-minority developments in India.

Denying visas to the archbishops without giving credible reasons has only added to the concern – something that the Government must address at once.

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(Published 11 February 2015, 17:40 IST)

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