In a pluralistic India, Christians and Muslims have made as much contribution towards nation-building as any other community, the bishop of Kolkata, Reverend Paritosh Canning, said on Wednesday.
He said the Church had played a crucial role in education and health from the days of William Carey, an 18th century missionary.
Before the arrival of the Christians in India, the bishop said, the Muslims had contributed in diverse areas to lay the foundation of this country.
“Muslims have contributed in such a big way before the Christians. Whatever we have has been created by Muslims. These realities have to be recognised,” said the bishop, who is also president of the Bengal Christian Council.
The council will hold a peace rally on January 20. One of the themes the rally will highlight is the contribution of the Church towards nation-building.
The council has been organising the annual peace rally since 2020.
“More than two centuries ago, Christian missionaries first established their educational institutions in the cities and distant rural areas to spread the light of education among the masses — both men and women. Nowadays, we see a lot of initiatives for the empowerment of women. The Church spearheaded this much before by bringing women to the realm of education,” said Reverend Canning.
“We don’t want anything from the country in return for the service that we are rendering. All we look forward to is a recognition of our service towards nation-building, state-building.”
What prompted the church to seek the recognition?
“Although the Christians account for only 2 per cent of the population, their contribution in the field of education, health and other areas over the years has been 100 per cent, reaching out to a wider population irrespective of their caste, creed or religion. There is a need to assert at times what the minorities have done towards nation-building.”
The bishop said the Church had been involved in spreading education since the arrival of William Carey in India in 1793.
Carey, founder of the Baptist Missionary Society, had the Bible translated into Bengali, Sanskrit and several dialects and set up “first printing press”.
“Not only Raja Rammohun Roy, William Carey also played a crucial role in the abolition of Sati Pratha (Hindu funeral practice in which widows were compelled to burn with their dead husbands),” said Reverend Canning.
Asked how important it was to remember the contribution of the minorities at a time when an alleged attempt of “otherisation” was under way across the country, he said: “India has been a pluralistic country. It is not that one particular community has contributed towards nation-building.... There is no room for otherisation.”
Friday’s rally, which will start from the Bishop House and go till the Gandhi statute on Mayo Road, will also highlight the fact that the Church rises above barriers based on caste, creed and religion and offers its service to all sections of society.
