Lenin Raghuvanshi, Benedict XVI’s witness vital to the future of the world

Mumbai (AsiaNews) - " For the future of humanity it is vital, that the world heeds the teachings of this great Spiritual Leader, which indicate the path we all need to follow for the good of all peoples and nations".  Lenin Raghuvanshi, director of the People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights in Varanasi, speaks to AsiaNews about the contribution of Benedict XVI to the international community. The activist terms himself an "agnostic" rather than an atheist, because thanks to the Pope's witness he has deepened his knowledge of Christ and the love of God

"When he was elected in 2005 - the activist recalls - the whole world saw Benedict XVI as a traditional man. Contrary to expectations in continuity with Pope John Paul II who was very outspoken about poverty and hunger and social injustice. He gave meaning to spiritual leadership, through his doctrine and teachings, he focused mainly about the grass root level problems. He spoke about the importance of working for the poor, Human rights violations. He spoke about the widening gap between the rich and the poor "

For Raghuvanshi, this pope was "a courageous defender of human rights and a great advocate for the dignity of man, in his address to the United Nations, he said  respect for human rights key to solving problems.  He expressed an enlightening concept: the pre-eminence of the common good. Equality cannot exist without fairness: this cannot be limited only to the just distribution of resources, but must also be reinforced by concrete and daily actions carried out by all. "

According to the activist, the message of Benedict XVI for the World Day of Peace 2011, "Religious freedom, the path to peace," was of great importance for India. "Every time that this right is not respected - he said - we are faced with forms of fascism that destroy the secular democracy. When this happens in India, it means the unity and integrity of this country is demolished, because religious freedom is the basis of any democracy. "

Of Hindu origins, Raghuvanshi first became an atheist "because the religion into which I was born and raised created the caste system, in which the Dalits are considered 'untouchables.' How can a religion that defines another human being as such?". However, the figure of Benedict XVI has led the Indian activist to become interested in Christianity. Today, he says he is agnostic, because "it is because of the teachings of the Holy father I have come to understand and realise, that I am not  against God- this God of Pope Benedict XVI- Jesus Christ speaks of Love and Compassion, human dignity and rights for all, has kindness for the poor and speaks out against injustice and through charity looks after the weak and oppressed"