For Indian activist, the Jubilee of Mercy offers humanity a chance for peace
Mumbai (AsiaNews) - The concept of mercy "is the central part of the sense of humanity. We have to revive it for all human beings, especially for innocent people,” said Ram Puniyani, a well-known social activist and president of the Centre for the Study of Society and Secularism in Mumbai.
Mr Puniyani spoke to AsiaNews about the Jubilee of Mercy, which Pope Francis will inaugurate tomorrow with the opening of the Holy Door, followed on 13 December by every diocese in the world.
According to the activist, we have to "praise Pope Francis’ initiative,” which “must be viewed as an opportunity to move together along the path of peace through the concept of mercy. "
"The current political situation in the world and India is full of situations in which large parts of the population are victims of intolerance because of their religious and social background,” Puniyani said.
In fact, India has seen a spate of sectarian attacks by Hindu radicals against some of the country’s ethnic and religious minorities. In one of the latest cases, a Muslim man was lynched in Dadri for allegedly eating beef. In other cases, intellectuals have been assassinated or attacked with ink for speaking out against the growing climate of intolerance.
The lay activist believes that "we have reached a point in which religion is used as a 'cover' for [someone’s] political agenda. The key aspect of religion – love for humanity – is threatened by a push towards aggression and hatred for others." This "is causing a lot of violence against innocent people in India and other parts of the world”.
“In order to promote harmony and humanity in the world, it is necessary and crucial to understand the difference between the values of the various religions and hatred created by the political agendas of certain sectors of the population."
For Ram Puniyani, the Jubilee of Mercy is a unique opportunity to embark on a path of peace. "I hope the Jubilee is successful,” he said. “I hope that everyone, including us in India, will be enriched by this journey towards protecting dignity so that everyone’s right to live in peace can be reaffirmed.”
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