A Catholic ascetic, a Hindu reformist leader and the Catholic Religious have come together to launch what they call “a second freedom struggle” to liberate India from its social and moral ills.

Swami Sachidananda Bharti, an atheist-turned-Catholic ascetic, says his dream is to “work for peace, harmony and progress” of India along with like-minded people and organizations.

He was addressing a select group of religious leaders on Dec. 14 on the release of his latest book,” An Indian face of the Christian Faith.” The Conference of Religious India (CRI) hosted the program at its headquarters in New Delhi.

The book explains Indian Christian spirituality, presenting Jesus Christ as the prince of peace. The book also explains Christians’ duty to work toward clear politics, environmental protection and national integration while fighting poverty and other social ills.

Swami Agnivesh, a Hindu reformist leader, launched the book stressing the role of religions in fighting the socio-economical poverty of India, which he said keeps the country in the clutches violence.

“We gained political independence” from the British in 1947 after decades of struggles. “But the biggest challenge we face is today; we still do not have social, moral and economic freedom,” Swami Agnivesh said.

He said it is time religions came together to launch a “second independent struggle” to liberate India from its age-old social ills. “We all practice the same old tradition of fight between caste, creed and religion,” he regretted.

The Hindu ascetic says real change can happen only if people begin to think differently. Social change is needed to liberate people from hate and selfish motive. There can be no peace in the world unless social evils are fought, he asserted.

Swami Agnivesh, chairperson of Bandhua Mukti Morcha (bonded labor liberation front), a voluntary group, said he would be happy to work with Swami Sachidananda Bharti and CRI for a social change.

Swami Sachidananda Bharti, said he wants to join with Swami Agnivesh “who is already in the field” and the CRI members who run thousands of schools and medical facilities across India, especially in villages.

Swami Bharti, a former Indian Air Force officer, was born Christian but remained an atheist for years. He changed after a close encounter with death in an air accident in 1982. He says he was saved by “some supreme power.” His search for that power led him to Jesus.

Brother Mani Mekkunnel, CRI national secretary, welcomed the two ascetics coming together, calling it history. “It is history being made here, where two swamis coming together for the noble cause,” he told the gathering.

The Montfort Brother noted the two ascetics work for peace and harmony in the country. “We will be happy to be partners with them. The Religious also advocate harmony among all religions,” he added.

Source: UCAN report by Bijay Kumar Minj

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