An Open Letter to L K Advani
Dear Advaniji
I write to you in anguish. A mixture of sadness and anger. I do not expect you to remember me. I am therefore attaching a picture of my induction into the BJP’s National Executive at the instance of my friend Ram Jethmalani and the invitation of Mr. Vajpayee.
I joined the BJP because I believe in the checks and balances of Parliamentary Democracy where a non performing Party is replaced by another that holds out hope of good governance. I had hoped that the BJP would do better than the Congress did despite years in power with large majorities.
You could have done better, much better because of the discipline in your Party, because, at that time, you did not have people tainted by corruption. But as they say in cricket, which you understand, you blotted your copy book.
We had a nice moderate group in the Party. Ram Jethmalani, Shanti Bushan, Rajinder Puri and some not so well known members like me.
What hopes we had! All dashed to pieces. Each one of us quit for reasons of their own. I quit when your Rath Yatra started to assume menacing proportions leading to the destruction of the Babri Masjid mosque.
It is an irony that I am writing to you instead of the Government in power when heinous acts of genocide are being committed against my community in Orissa, Karnataka and other parts of the country.
Logically I should have appealed to the Government and Party in power at the Centre. A Party that most members of my community vote for, opting for the evil of non governance and corruption over the evil of communalism.
But the Congress of today is a Party in power that lives in denial, thrives on ignoring the inhumanity heaped upon minorities that are too miniscule to be vote banks.
I write to you because you are “Prime Minister in waiting”, because of the faint hope that something at St Patrick’s school where you studied has rubbed off on you. Compassion, for example.
I write to you because the atrocities unleashed on a peace loving, completely patriotic and law abiding people is taking place in the States governed by your Party and executed by the cadres that owe their allegiance to you.
Violence that diminishes the possibility of dialogue or the functioning of the rule of law is a dangerous instrument in the hands of those who use it. As I write this, violence is the first choice of a Party in Mumbai who want to drive North Indians (you excluded perhaps) from the State.
You have always had a strong commitment to fighting terrorism from Pakistan. I appreciate that. I urge that you extend that commitment to the terrorism that is home grown and used against brothers and sisters who are Indian first and Christians, Muslims and Dalits later.
For the good of this country I pray that you can control your cadres and not vice versa. I pray that unlike many leaders in this world who encouraged their cadres to violence and had violence visiting them in the long run, you will use the power that God has given you to do good.
I encourage participants in my seminars to write their own obituaries so that they can work towards living up to those obituaries.
May your obituary read that you were a statesman and not a mere politician. That you brought peace and tranquility to a nation that was being torn asunder. That you were able, against great odds, to uphold the Constitution of this multi-religious, multi-cultural and beautiful country.
God bless you and give you a long life
George Menezes
October 22nd, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Dear George,
I sincerely, appreciate your “Open letter to LK Advani”. I am sure that People like you do not have to send their Pictures to be remembered. They are remembered by their work, words and deeds. Even long last after they have gone to another world.
I am certain that Mr. LK Advani, will indeed remember you and hope he will take your request and appeal not only to his heart but also to his party.
A country no matter how great or big, is not made of or by Religion. A country is made great or big by its own people and citizen who vote the politicians to govern the country and its citzen.
I am an Indian First, then an Indian Citzen and then a Christian. So why should I as an Indian hurt another Indian either by rape, burning his/her house, church, school or by killing? Yet as an Indian, we proudly proclaim to the world that India is a land of the Vedas, Buddha, Mahatma and of Peace.
Sad to say, that India now is no longer a land of Peace, love and freedom.
May God forgive those who do not know what they do, and let the Politicians know what they do.
Note:- I would like to take this opportunity to wish all my Indians brothers and sisters “A Very Happy Diwali”, notwithstanding, to which religion they belong.
My heart bleeds for my, once proud country!
God Bless you and my County India.
Dominic D’Souza
Aurora, Colorado, USA
October 23rd, 2008 at 12:22 am
Dear Dominic
Good to hear from you from far of Colorado.
I always light some lamps in my home at Diwali. I prefer them to the artificial lights at Christmas
Let us together wish for “enlightenment” in this our beautiful country and Peace in our times.
George
November 1st, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Dear George,
Its indeed a eye opener for person in waiting. I seriously looking for a change. Its enough congress has ruled most part of post independence with less result.
Manmohan ji may be good human but he is not surrounded by good ppl. This hurts many innocent people. 100+ blasts in 6months time is too high. We are not in pakistan, where is the peace of india gone? why are these thackerays, mayawatis, banerjees, gowdas do this to their own country.
What is going to happen keeping ur religion in stake at the cost of country? we are going no where. Let Advani ji read this letter by you. Let him understand how eager people of india to see peaceful land.
Its hurting to see in headlines everyday only blasts, rapes, murders etc…i seriously doubt what action congress is taking. There is not even clue of who is doing this, everytime a bomb blast happens put the blame on muslims, hindus, christians…but one thing we forget every one is human. God has created us to do something for self and for others. Its deeply hurting to see them.
Example in USA you can see lot of different people in their culture, color, creed, cast but they all fight for the cause their country their land…though they may differ in their birth land, their background, but they all stay united because of which they dictate terms in financial world, a country rightly named as “United States of America” they dont use it for name alone they are united…but we still think about Gujarat, Tamilnadu, Andhra, UP, Jharkand… instead if we all say India this sounds better and good.
Hoping for this change to happen at the earliest..its better late than never.
Jaihind!!!!!!
November 1st, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Dear Mr. George Menezes and Mr. Domnic D’ Souza,
I heartfully endorse the sentiments that have come out in both your letters.
I was always pround to be an Indian, though I was born in Goa, during the Portuguese Rule. I have always been a Goan first, an Indian Second and a Christian (Catholic) third. Just as any Panjabi, Gujarati, will always affirm that they are Punjabis, or Gujarati’s first and Indians second.
It was alway stated by me in pride whenever any conversation took place in the UK, with my British Friends, who used to boast about GB being the most Democratic Country in the World, who were tolerant to all Religions, Caste, Creed and Colour. My argument used to be that India was the most Democratic, and Secular Country in the World that all Religions florished along side each other and that India over the years has accept displaced people from all its neigbouring Countries.
However after the happenings in Orrisa, Karnataka and in other parts of India against the peaceloving, law abiding Christian Minorities, and the Killings, Burnings of Churches, Rapes of Nuns and women, Schools, plus homes of minority Christians by Bigots from the majority Hindus and the Ruling Government, doing hardly anything to stop this or to protect these poor, innocent, minority, even though the Leader of the Party in Power, professes, herself to be a Christian, has made me be ashamed to be an Indian. Esxpecially as the Government and Law enforcement Agencies just look on while all these happenings are taking place.
I whole hearted support anyone who can bring these to the attention of the World, so that a much, much positive response is forced on, for immediate such actions to be forthwith carried out by the surrounding authorities concerned.
I sincerely hope more liked minded people like yourselves will endeavour to in some small way help in ensuring all help and support is given to our poor humble, law abiding, Christian Bretheren who are undergoing enormous sufferings. I, myslef am prepared to do my part, in helping, in any financial way, if you would be kind enough to howm this financila help should be directed to so that it gets to the actual people, in need.
Yours very sincerely,
Agnelo
November 2nd, 2008 at 6:50 am
Dear George
I am an NRI Indian Catholic who takes keen interest in India. Like many, i have been dismayed by not only the communal killings in India, but by the large scale killings of innocent people of all religions by terrorists as well.Whist the country is being raped and destroyed, the politicians are busy in calculating their political gains and losses.
Although everybody is busy blaming the BJP for this mess,i do not understand why the so called secularists are silent over the total inaction of the present government who relies on Minority vote banks. Infact, i feel the Congress is big part of this mess and has divided this country on the basis of caste and religion just to be in power at any cost and BJP is now paying them in their own coins.
I fully support your action in directly talking to the so called ENEMY which people find hard to swallow.If Israel could talk to Egyptians,Arafat and Hamas and Protestants in Northern Ireland could talk to Catholics, why cant we engage the so called enemy if we can acheive peace? After all, we know that this is all about Politics and power!
I beleive that this is the right way forward and it would be nice if you could get more people like Julio Rebeiro, Gen.Sunit Rodrigues and George Fernandes to engage with as many BJP leaders as possible.After all, we should not forget that we are a tiny minority and have to live with the Hindu Majority and dilogue is the only way forward to better understanding and foster better relationships.
regards
Anesimo Fernandes
November 3rd, 2008 at 4:55 am
Dear George-bab ,
I am greatly distressed by the violence against Christians in India.
I agree that the Hindutva agencies are involved in this violence.
Question is : Has the vote bank politics and other policies pursued by the Congress corrupticians over the decades prior to the advent of the BJP anything to do with :
a) The increasing polarisation of Hindus culminating in the Gujarat or Orissa
tragedies .
b) The rapid rise of the BJP as a political party
If yes , why are so few Christian voices speaking up about this ( and of the near total lack of response from the Congress central government to Orissa )……while every opportunity is taken to criticise the BJP ?
warm regards,
Anand , Margao, Goa and Oxford , UK
( a “conditional” supporter of the BJP in Goa )
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:46 am
Dear Anandbab
I am privileged to have you visiting my website
You are right. The Congress is the main but not only culprit in this frightening senario where statesmen have been replaced by vile, petty greedy, power hungry and literate but uneducated netas who cannot think beyond vote banks.
Indira Gandhi was a pass-mistress in the art. In J&K and Punjab.
But nobody used hate and violence to seek votes as BJP did when it destroyed the Babri Masjid and the self esteem of all Muslims while Congress Prime Minister Narasimah Rao watched shamelessly from the wings as Vilas Desmukh is doing right now in Mumbai.
While vote bank politics is a world phenomenon but using vilolence, ethnic cleansing, genocide to achieve it is not tolerable in a parliamentary democracy wedded to the rule of law.
We are all guilty by our silence.
The less said about Christians in Indian politics the better. They are very patriotic, self sacrificing, compassionate to the down trodden and marginalized in word and action. Their contibution to education and health care is far out of proportion to their miniscule numbers
They are naive and and not political savvy. Despite the Centre’s silence on Orissa and Karnataka killings they will still vote for the Congress Party.
The choice between non-governance and corruption versus communalaism and violence is so easy
Keep in touch
George
November 5th, 2008 at 6:41 am
I have a feeling that his time has come and gone.
India, however, should continue to elect leaders who are sophisticated, globally minded and who understand economics and global business structures and secular.
November 5th, 2008 at 6:46 am
Unfortunately, the only thing Advani understands is Hindu fundamentalism restricting freedom of religion and thought within India. His time has come and gone.
India, however, should continue to elect leaders who are sophisticated, globally minded and who understand economics and global business structures.
November 5th, 2008 at 10:00 am
Thanks for your comment, Gasper
Unfortunately our system unless drastically changed will throw up greedy, power hungry and barbaric leaders as long as the illiterate masses have the voting power.
Having said this the worst culprits are the elected leaders who are educated who understand economics and global structures. We have them but they are frozen in action
November 7th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Dear Anesimo
Thanks for you support and comments. I have received a reply from someone working with Advani !!
George
November 7th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Dear Agnelo
Thanks I am overwhelmed by responses on my site and many more by Email
An aide of Mr Advani has srnt me a reply !!
George
November 7th, 2008 at 10:36 am
Dear Prassana
Thank you for visiting my site again
An aide close to Advani has replied to me!!
Change wiil come howewver slowly. We must dare to dream like the predecessors of Obama did
We can be the chang. Yes we can
George
November 22nd, 2008 at 5:10 am
Dear George,
” …. Change will come ….. We must dare to dream …. We can be the change ….”
How true indeed !
The “Sadbhavana Melawa” recently held at Shivaji Park, Mumbai on Saturday 15th Nov.’08, was attended by several thousands of people from all walks of life – primarily Catholics and some members of other communities as well.
Amongst the numerous participants were my mother-in-law (a senior citizen), two of her grandchildren aged about 9 & 11 and their aunt and many friends and acquaintances.
The meeting lasted several hours stretching from the afternoon till evening with several speeches made by the archbishop, various prominent leaders and activists. It was a really hot and dusty day. The seats in the restricted VIP enclosure were all taken. Most of the ordinary and common folk sat on the ground listening patiently and encouraging the speakers from time to time with their applause.
What was really striking about the melawa was NOT the presence of dignitaries, leaders & activists or the speeches they made: what indeed was touching and deeply moving was the presence of simple ordinary folk living out their lives in anonymity, taking time off, despite the heat, dust and inconveniences to come together in such large numbers. The STATEMENT made by their PRESENCE eclipsed all else that evening. That statement seemed to echo the words ” …. Change will come ….. We must dare to dream …. We can be the change ….”.
That “still, small voice” of anonymous folk, often ignored and bypassed by leaders – political, religious or otherwise, will one day become a roar of thunder bringing about change in our country and the Church, whether we like it or not.
This is our FAITH. God is at Work.
Prem
November 24th, 2008 at 10:57 am
You kindly invited me to log on to your website, which I did immediately and found it not only informative but so very amusing. Poke fun, have fun but always in a charming style — to make your point, however serious. That’s my man! The witty yet menacing George!
November 25th, 2008 at 6:36 am
Thanks Alphonso
Humour is a potent weapon specially if one is prepared to laugh at one self
Very often misunderstood
Next week I am posting a piece , in lighter vein, about the antics of the sons of the soil in Goa
Hope you like it
George
November 25th, 2008 at 6:44 am
Thank you Prem Kumar
I have my own views about the endless morchas and massive gatherings when no visible and measurable results are obtained
Bless the faithful who attend them.
This site is not the place to talk about it
George
December 9th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Anyone reading a letter such as yours would be moved – if he/she has a heart. The question is: has he? He should, if he aspires to be a leader of all Indians, at least have the decency to reply.
But, regardless, your effort has to be praised. If we are to survive as a civilisation and remain sane, we MUST hope that, ultimately, humans are decent and compassionate.
December 11th, 2008 at 12:23 am
I am one of those foolish ones who believes that God made everyone with an intrinsic streak of goodness
Someday at the right time may Advanji display it