BJP strategist all praise for Hindu-Catholic dialogue

Sudheendra Kulkarni, the Bharatiya Janata Party strategist and close aide of LK Advani, heaped praise on the recent inter-faith meet between Hindu and Catholic leaders in Mumbai, which he called a "positive dialogue".

There have been several useful dialogues in the past, many of these which were "academic" in nature, "but the Mumbai meet was different for three significant reasons," the senior BJP member said.

"First, this was the first formal interaction between the two sides after the unfortunate flare-up of conflict in Orissa last year [..] Second, this was for the first time that the Catholic delegation was led by the Pope's highest emissary heading the department of inter-faith dialogue. Third, this was also for the first time that Hindu religious leaders of high eminence participated in the dialogue, sending a clear message that the Hindu side is ready to engage in a constructive dialogue with Christians of all denominations," he enumerated in his Indian Express column yesterday.

Although the issue of conversion dominated the talks, Kulkarni said he was pleased that the "deliberations were marked by candour as well as cordiality."

"The Hindu leaders unequivocally condemned anti-Christian violence. Catholic participants were equally unequivocal in affirming that forced conversion, and conversion with allurements of any kind, is invalid and rejected. They stated that all faiths were worthy of equal respect." This, he said was an affirmation that Hindu leaders were waiting for a long time.

Further, the former BJP secretary was all praises at Jean-Louis Pierre Tauran, president of the Pope's Council for Inter-Faith Dialogue, Vatican City.

"Cardinal Tauran, a godly man of deep reflection, has imparted a refreshing new perspective on the Vatican's relations with Hinduism and other oriental faiths," he said, adding "His remarks in Mumbai have created a sound basis for carrying forward the Hindu-Christian dialogue in a positive direction."

"The genuineness of the interaction was also evident from the fact that, after the first day's closed-door deliberations, Cardinal Tauran led the Christian delegation on a goodwill visit to Mumbai's famous Siddhivinayak Temple. This was followed by the Hindu delegation visiting the Holy Name Catholic Cathedral."

Kulkarni suggests that in the months ahead, both Hindu and Christian leaders have a "duty to crystallise mutual trust and understanding into a practical and collaborative agenda of action at all levels."

He concluded his weekly column quoting Swami Chidananda Saraswati's words at the meet: "Apni apni bhakti, parantu sabse badhkar rashtra bhakti." (Let us love and follow our respective faiths, but keep love of the nation above all.)