Author: Dibin Samuel
Publication: Christian Today
Date: September 5, 2009
URL: http://in.christiantoday.com/articles/view-reddys-death-undeniably-a-colossal-loss-for-christians/4481.htm
The entire nation is in a state of shock over
the tragic death of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy. Without
doubt, the death is more of a shock and cause of grief to the Christian community
who slowly-yet-surely had found a pillar of support at the highest level of
the Government in this really fearful and tumultuous time.
Since the news of his helicopter missing,
hands were joined for a miracle. The newspapers, television, radio followed
every bit of the search which was said to be India's largest search and rescue
mission for a VIP. Twenty-four hours later the result was out: the champion
of the poor and voiceless was found charred with rest of the crew on top of
a hill in the tiger reserve forest of Kurnool district.
Church leaders in India would agree that it
would take another decade to find a peer commensurate with Reddy who was even-handed
and filled with egalitarian and inclusive principles. Reddy's audacious decisions
and staunch actions had brought cheer to the minuscule community at various
times. If Reddy's death is the greatest loss in the political circle, the
same goes for Christians whose pleas had been humbly addressed and grievances
punctually redressed by the deceased leader.
Without question, Reddy's action spoke larger
than words. Just ten days back, in a first, the Christian politico dauntlessly
adopted a resolution supporting the Dalit Christians. Remember, not recently
or past, has anyone of this stature made such a move to emancipate millions
of Dalits whose predicaments fell deaf ears until now. It was something to
cheer. The chief minister was praised and thanked by leading Christian councils.
It was not an outright move. The decision
to back Dalit Christians came after many delegations met at his office and
beseeched help. To all, Reddy promised action. Apparently he had even promised
to lead a Christian delegation to New Delhi to speak to the highest authorities
and bring justice to the 20 million Dalit Christians. Unlike others whose
promising words come to satiate their lust for power and yearn for limelight,
Reddy's was factual. Following his visit to Delhi with a delegation, it was
pertinent that Minister for Minorities came out with a statement acknowledging
that all probes proved the causes of Dalit Christians and a positive response
was in the offing.
Further, a perusal of his contributions in
his own state evinces more. The chief minister apart from taking gargantuan
tasks that brought unprecedented development had pioneered scores of initiatives
for Christians. "He set up the A.P. State Christian Finance Corporation
which is first of its kind in the country. He also introduced the novel schemes
like Government subsidy to the Holy Land and assistance for Christian Mass
Marriages for the first time," according to Andhra Pradesh Federation
of Churches (APFC), a state-level apex body of the Bishops and Heads of Churches
of all Christian Denominations.
Turning back to August 2008, when violence
spread like wildfire against Christians, the chief minister voiced his discontentment,
and his state government offered refuge to many hundreds who fled the marauding
mobs in their home district, Kandhamal, where their homes, churches and institutions
were razed down after the death of Swami Laxmananda Saraswati.
As we are overwhelmed with the feeling of
loss and prayers are told for the bereaved families, it is also well timed
to enlighten ourselves how tiny we are in this earth, our brilliant techies
and technologies which appeared impotent and deficient during that intimidating
search operation that we all watched over TV channels. Truly, the meagerness
of our intelligence only must amplify our trust in God as we continue to believe
him to be the panacea of our lives.
