Recent social media buzz that has come into limelight is the array of hate speeches by eminent BJP/RSS personalities. Videos and captioned photos, though not recent, have been dug out to jog one’s memory to the political agenda behind BJP and the RSS agenda of promoting Hindu nationalism. In response, we also see videos and captioned photos of voices against the RSS doing it’s rounds in social media. Based on this ongoing trend, our Naga Christian leaders have, yet again, started expressing concerns and cautions of not letting the RSS/BJP gain a stronghold in Nagaland. Religious ‘Hate Speeches,’ regardless of wherever, stems from religious apprehensions.
According to the UN definition, ‘Hate Speech’ loosely refer to offensive discourse targeting any group based on race, religion, or gender, that may threaten social peace. UN also claims that hate speech is discriminatory, biased, bigoted, intolerant, or pejorative, and can be conveyed through any form, including images, cartoons, memes, objects, gestures, and symbols. Our expressions against the RSS/BJP, whether spoken or written, are therefore nothing but ‘Hate Speeches.’ As Christians, we are responding to hate speeches with hate speeches – does it make us any better than them?
I am not sure how many articles must have been published or how many sermons might have been preached against the RSS manifesto. How far do we think we have been justified? In December 2021, RSS leader Indresh Kumar claimed there has been a change in the thinking of the Christian Community towards the Sangh over the years as they realized that they did not gain anything by “hating” the outfit.Do these words mean anything for us?
In a recent discussion with some prominent Church leaders of Nagaland, the concern of ‘Sheep Stealing’ and ‘Sheep Protecting’ sprang up. The discussion surfaced in the context of the growing para-Churches in Nagaland, and the population of younger generations flocking towards these Churches. Our discussion, however, stretched to the extent of losing our sheep to the RSS and Hindutva ideology. ‘Stealing,’ whether be it ‘sheep’ or anything, is unethical. However, ‘protecting our sheep’ and ‘how we protect our sheep’ require ethical considerations. The discussion agreed that as long as the sheep is being well-fed, it would never abandon the flock and stray away. How well do we, as Christian leaders, know our sheep, and how well are we feeding them?
‘A Good Shepherd knows his Sheep’ – when Jesus introduces the figure of the shepherd in John 10, He does so with imagery that suggests the shepherd’s intimate knowledge of his flock. The message in John 10 is about ‘intimacy’ and Jesus is trying to convey that He is not an ‘aloof leader’ or ‘distant figure’ who is barely aware of His own people/flock. As Christian leaders, our sense of insecurity about our flock exposes our lack of intimacy with the flock. Most often, reprisals have its roots in feelings of insecurity.
‘A Good Shepherd knows his Sheep’ – Jesus’ second imagery suggests the shepherd’s confidence in his flock. The message is plain and simple – “I know my own, and my own knows me.” Lack of confidence in the flock, of straying away, directly questions the credibility of the Shepherd. Rather than being concerned about the sheep straying away, how many Christian leaders have questioned their credibility in their lack of confidence on the Naga Christians?
‘A Good Shepherd know his Sheep’ – Jesus’ third imagery is the shepherd feeding the sheep with the right quantity and quality of feeds. What do we feed our sheep with? Participating in the hate speech imbroglio by responding with hatred for RSS, or preparing our sheep to remain resolved amidst any oppositions through sound Christian teachings – which feeding sound healthier?
The RSS and its Hindutva ideology is not a new phenomenon. They have been prominent, they have been banned, they are gaining prominence again, and the same story will continue. Religious fanaticism, coupled by hate speeches will continue to persist. All these propagandas are nothing but reverberation of religious apprehensions. What is important, as Christians, is not giving in to such apprehensions. There is nothing wrong in creating awareness among the masses to encourage caution and positive response. However, promoting hatred as response mechanisms for such apprehensions does not sound Christian-like.
Intimacy with the sheep, confidence in the sheep and healthy feeding for the sheep, are the attributes of a good shepherd. ‘A Good Shepherd knows his Sheep’ – are we being good and credible shepherds?