Ignored by Christian Educationists: Fr. Jerome D'Souza SJ: A Pioneering Patriot and Diplomat

Author: Frank Krishner

It's been a while since I've put down some of my really frank views on any subject.

Yesterday night, I was in an online meeting, listening to one of our noted peace activists, and there I heard him speak of Reverend Father Jerome D'Souza, one of the framers of our Indian constitution.

My reaction was "what the *&%#@?"

I have studied in Catholic schools and colleges, and taught in some as well. Why the dickens do we not know of Fr Jerome D'Souza? Why haven't I been able to flaunt him alongside Ambedkar and the other chaps? Why have we know information about him in our textbooks?

So, for those of you interested people, here is a very brief and sketchy piece, which you teachers and others can hopefully use in your lessons.

Jerome D'Souza: Patriot and Diplomat

Fr. Jerome D'Souza SJ, a Jesuit priest of remarkable intellect and unwavering dedication, played an instrumental role in shaping modern India. As a member of the Constituent Assembly, he contributed significantly to the drafting of the Indian Constitution. 

Admired by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Fr. D'Souza's influence extended beyond  politics, into diplomacy and international relations, leaving an indelible mark on the our modern history.

Born on August 6, 1897, in Mangalore, Fr. D'Souza joined the Society of Jesus in 1921 and was ordained a priest in 1931. His academic brilliance shone through early in his career, earning him a reputation as an erudite scholar. This intellectual prowess made him an invaluable asset to the Indian National Congress, particularly during the crucial period leading up to India's independence.

Fr. D'Souza's entry into the Constituent Assembly in 1946 marked the beginning of his direct involvement in the nation-building process. He was one of the few non-Hindus in the assembly, representing the interests of minorities and advocating for a secular state. His contributions were marked by a deep commitment to social justice, equality, and religious harmony.

Voice of Reason and Compassion

In the assembly, Fr. D'Souza was a voice of reason and compassion. He emphasized the need for a constitution that safeguarded the rights of all citizens, irrespective of their religious or social backgrounds. His speeches often reflected a profound understanding of India's diverse cultural fabric and the necessity of unity in diversity. His ability to articulate complex ideas with clarity and conviction earned him the respect of his peers, including Pandit Nehru.

Pandit Nehru's admiration for Fr. D'Souza was well-known. The two shared a mutual respect that transcended their religious and ideological differences. Nehru valued Fr. D'Souza's insights and often sought his counsel on matters of national importance. This camaraderie was not merely a testament to Fr. D'Souza's intellectual acumen but also to his character and integrity.

Fr. D'Souza's role extended beyond the Constituent Assembly. Recognizing his diplomatic skills and deep understanding of international affairs, the Indian government appointed him as a delegate to the United Nations. As a diplomat, Fr. D'Souza represented India with distinction, advocating for peace, justice, and cooperation on the global stage.

Role in the UN

At the United Nations, Fr. D'Souza's contributions were multifaceted. He participated in numerous debates and discussions, bringing India's perspectives to the forefront of international discourse. His interventions were marked by a commitment to the principles of the UN Charter, emphasizing human rights, decolonization, and international solidarity.

One of Fr. D'Souza's notable achievements at the UN was his involvement in the discussions on decolonization. He passionately argued for the rights of colonized nations to self-determination and independence. His eloquence and moral authority lent weight to India's position, contributing to the broader movement for decolonization that swept through Asia and Africa in the mid-20th century.

Fr. D'Souza's work at the UN was not limited to political matters. He also focused on social and economic issues, advocating for policies that promoted global development and poverty alleviation. His holistic approach to diplomacy underscored the interconnectedness of peace, justice, and development.

Throughout his career, Fr. D'Souza remained deeply committed to the Jesuit principles of education, social justice, and service to others. He continued to be actively involved in educational initiatives, recognizing the transformative power of education in building a just and equitable society. His legacy in this field is reflected in the numerous institutions that continue to uphold these values.

Jesuit Fr. Jerome D'Souza SJ was a pioneering patriot whose contributions to India's constitution, diplomacy, and international relations were profound.His intellect, integrity, and compassion left an indelible mark on India's history. 

Jibber Jabber on the Jab

Author: Frank Krishner

"Have you been vaccinated yet? Come on, don't delay. Go for your jab!" 

Goodness me, everybody seems to have become so pushy nowadays, especially my nosey-parker colleagues, some of whom even flaunt their 'I've been vaccinated' status.

But there are other 'worldly wise' fellows, who're saying, hang on for a spell. 

Why? 

Because the single dose Johnson and Johnson jab will be out, and then you can flaunt your 'single jab' pedigree- or even better still, you may even get the chance to sniff, "What jab? I opted for that truly exclusive nasal spray!"

Even if you are safely ensconced in your fortress like home, and your only contact with civilization is the weekly grocery delivery dropped at your door, you can't escape the Vaccinate! Vaccinate! vaccinate! jibber jabber that's cluttering up practically every available space.

Ringtones blab about the jab in a cacophony of dialects! Switch on the news and most of the time they're serving up even more 'jabber talk'. And let's not even think about the  Whats App - Facebook -Social Media Tsunami of posts, reposts and look- at- me- with- a- needle- in- my- arm pictures!

Let's not mention the social snobbery : "I'm proud to have the Indian vaccine!" "Really? But isn't the Astra Zeneca the one with the more reliable data?" "Oh, nothing, really, no side effects at all. I wonder how people claim to have side effects!"

It's interesting to see how local authorities are trying their best to cajole, browbeat, and even threaten those who haven't been vaccinated. And all this, for goodness sake, when it's common knowledge that most of the states haven't received enough of this much touted magic potion to go round.

In Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, they say that cops  handing out  'patriot missiles' in the form of oversize badges to the vaccinated, who have 'proven their deshbhakti', and they're hanging posters with a skull and crossbones around  the necks of those who haven't been able to access the dose. Well, so much for  human respect and dignity! So much for not stigmatizing others!

The thing is that the vaccine doesn't stop you catching COVID-19 and from transmitting it to others. What it really does is reduce your chances of infection. 

If you're vaccinated and do catch the bug, you have a  really great chance of not kicking the proverbial bucket.

So I'm not really sold on all this 'patriotic' drivel.

The vaccination is really about protecting me from possible death and black fungus and the horror story that goes with it.

That's what immunization is all about in the first place.

In some areas, all shopkeepers have been asked to get vaccinated if they want to get their business running again when the unlock happens. This makes sense, because shopkeepers and their assistants are the ones who have to interact with loads of unknown strangers.

The Meghalaya Government has directed its employees to take COVID-19 vaccine. The Meghalaya government has directed all employees, who are aged 45 years or above, working in the State Secretariat and other government offices to get themselves vaccinated.

Those employees who do not take the jab, will become 'non-eligible' for special leave in case they get infected with COVID-19.  “Those who have got themselves vaccinated, will be eligible for special leave against COVID infection, which will however not available to those who have not been vaccinated,” the order said.

Nice move. Talk about the carrot and the stick!

Interesting, huh? If you take the jab and then get

COVID-19, you'll get special leave.

The vaccine doesn't stop the bug from getting to me and doesn't stop me passing it on to others. So why are the powers that be doing this song and dance? Why the pressure?

And  what's all this about 'patriotic duty'?

Use your common sense buddy.

Yes, come the third wave, infections may rise but hopefully, things will be under control.

If you're vaccinated,  and if COVID-19 does host a party in your system, you ain't gonna be in line for oxygen cylinders and expensive treatments.

Your loved ones aren't going to be  screaming out their private emotions and frustrations  in front of TV news cameras.

You will not be among the dear departed.

You'll have flattened the curve.

And no prizes for guessing who's going to hog the credit.

 

It's shrinking!

Hey, the Indian parliament is shrinking. have you noticed?

let me see...

The last nomination for the reserved seat of Anglo Indian MLA took place hours before the January 25 deadline, scrapping the reservation of Anglo-Indian representatives to legislative assemblies and parliament dawned.

Read these details

To deprive Anglo-Indians of their representation was on the BJP agenda, and the community leaders sensed that something was amiss, when after the 2019 elections, the government never got around to nominating an Anglo-Indian representative.

Of course, Modi (or his advisors)  knew two things. First: the Anglo-Indian community isn't as commercially well off as the Parsi community, and the Anglo-Indian population, [a few lakhs], is widely dispersed across India. Second: no major opposition parties, including the Congress were likely to kick up a fuss about the Anglo-Indian seats being abolished.

Well, true to the script, nobody spoke up. The community leaders, did approach the law minister and others for 'discussions'. They were told that the government would look into the matter 'at a later date'. That date never arrived.

The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have grown smaller, a tad shrunken, and less representative of India's diversity.
I wonder if you've noticed.

Author: Frank Krishner

Bihar's Opposition- condoning manslaughter?

A few days ago, the local newspapers in Bihar carried reports of a burn victim dying a painful death because the ambulance carrying her was caught up in a ‘traffic jam’ on the rickety Mahatma Gandhi Setu, the bridge that joins Patna to North Bihar.

The woman died because the Home Guards, an auxiliary security force, had blocked the bridge in protest. They were demanding benefits from the Bihar Government. These men turned a deaf ear to the pleas of the ambulance driver and the people who were in the ambulance. They wilfully obstructed an ambulance that according to law had the absolute right of way. If anybody is to be held responsible for the death of that woman, it is the organizers and the men from the Home Guards who were obstructing traffic. Logic says that a criminal case should have been slapped on them.

 It was sickening to read reports in the newspapers the next day, where the protestors, backed by the opposition BJP sought to blame the state government for the woman's death.  Was this a sick joke? By what stretch of warped logic could one come to such a conclusion? Worse still, the papers who faithfully carried the statement, so far haven't had the decency to question the logic even on the editorial pages!

 

Have our politicians sunk so low? Is heckling the government and encouraging others to do so their only game?  You condone uncivilized and brutish behaviour -such as the obstruction of an ambulance carrying a burn patient in a critical condition on a hot summer’s day - on the one hand, and complain of ‘Jungle raj’ returning to Bihar on the other!

 The BJP (and others in the opposition)  would have done the  honourable thing if they had strongly taken on  the government  for  going soft on the ringleaders, and failing to punish the fellows who were actually responsible for manslaughter because they obstructed the ambulance, with the full knowledge that the patient inside would die unless she received immediate treatment.

 

Why are two separate issues being muddied up? And why is the present government and the administration letting this happen? Why hasn't the Nitish Kumar administration really shown some 'testosterone' and booked a couple of those protestors for manslaughter?  

Why is it that whenever there is some 'political' support, a 'legitimate' protest becomes an occasion to threaten, beat-up, smash and vent anger on inanimate objects and harmless individuals?

 

The right to lawful protest is one thing, causing harmful obstruction and destroying government and private property are entirely different. They are cowardly, criminal offences.

 

Why are all political parties blind to this? 'This is an election year' isn't the right answer!

 

Author: Frank Krishner

Let Dalits who want reservation remain Hindus

A vocal section of the Catholic Church in India, has, for some two decades now trying to get ‘Dalit Christians’ recognized as one of the scheduled castes in India. Now, these scheduled castes are usually formerly untouchable Hindus who get certain privileges above ‘general’ citizens.



This is a stupid picture, isn't it? No? Think about it!

 Recently there have been anguished outpourings from no less than veteran media person and Indian Catholic leader John Dayal that  the present dispensation [read the government of India led by Narendra Modi] are going to ignore that longstanding demand.

 If the Prime Minister Modi once and for all totally rejects this impassioned plea, several thousand Christians would actually be pleased. Very pleased.

 This nonsense about caste -based reservations is political clap-trap. I maintain that the demand is totally un-Chrisian and subversive. Historically, and biblically, one does not deserve to become a Christian ‘the easy way’. If a Dalit chooses to join the church and be ‘equal’ to those high caste Christians who have literally ‘forsaken all’ to embrace the faith, then let him forsake the government benefits which are for Hindus. If he can’t do that, then what the dickens is he in it for? For free access to Christian educational and medical institutions? that shouldn’t be a problem anyway, because Christian, especially church run institutions are supposed to reach out to the poorest of the poor, no matter who they are.

Let the Dalits who want reservation remain Hindus. Those who want to 'convert' must reject reservation. It is a moral choice. I would say that we should encourage such wishy-washy chaps to opt for 'Ghar Wapsi'!

 

Let them choose between material benefit and spiritual benefit in the same way as several other high caste ‘converts’ have. When a Brahmin or a Rajput person decides to become a Christian, are the Christian  priests unaware of the great risks they take? Friends, and most importantly, their own families treat them as outcastes. Even so, knowingly, they accept the cross, both literally and figuratively. Its very interesting how the catholic  priests  and bishops are extremely careful when high caste people want to get baptized and publicly state that they wish to join the Church.  They actually discourage them.

 

This pro-Dalit casteism within the Catholic Church has rankled and continues to rankle many. The Church was built on the blood of martyrs. However misguided they may have been, it is the fact that hundreds and thousands of people were ready to lay down their lives rather than do a Ghar Wapsi. This ghar wapsi stuff was tried by the ancient Romans: recant your beliefs and here’s a life of luxury, follow this new ideology called Christianity and be torn apart by lions.

 

[By the way, Latin “christianus” meant cretin; the Romans used to throw Christians to the lions, and because the Christian martyrs refused to give up their religion, to run away, or even to fight back, they were thought to be acting like complete idiots.

 Throughout the Roman Empire (i.e. the civilised world), if someone was stupid, they were called “Christian”. The word meant that.]

Coming from a lineage that can claim that an ancestor or two was executed by Henry VIII rather than switch allegiance from the Pope, I find this pandering to the so-called  Dalit Christians particularly nauseating. What is more disturbing is the fact that there are a lot of chaps who are ‘officially’ getting government benefits as Hindus while masquerading as Christians and getting handouts from the Church as well.

In the Catholic Church there is no ‘Dalit reservation’ -- or is there a lobby  led by a few Jesuits and Diocesan priests that wants to give reservations to guys so that they become ‘dalit pastors’ even though they are morally, spiritually  and intellectually wanting? 

I have a great love for Dalits and want them to evolve as soon as possible into efficient, tax-paying citizens of the country, with dignity and without having to play the victim always. Being an agnostic, I have an unbiased attitude towards all religions, and do find it extremely silly when some of my Catholic priest friends become misty eyed over the perceived injustices to the Musahars, but are stone cold to the problems and the tribulations of the poorer sections of Christians such as those from Bettiah, Goa, or the Anglo-Indians.

 

The Modi government would do well to curb any more ‘reservations’. We’ve had enough. Modi should firmly deny any such benefits to the so-called  Dalit Christians.  If Brahmin and Rajput Christians don’t get minority benefits, why should they?

 

Author: Frank Krishner

Anglos in the wind ... not in the Lok Sabha ?

The winds of change blew in a brand new Indian Parliament, but has it blown away the Anglo-Indian representation as well?

It’s been almost a year since the Modi government came to power, and guess what? The 16th Lok Sabha has no Anglo-Indian member. There are usually two nominated members there, as per Article 331 of the Indian constitution.

It’s probably skipped the Prime Minister’s mind. After all, does this predominantly Christian, Angrezi speaking community, this micro-minority really matter? These half-caste, half-breed, beef-eating fellows aren’t the kind that should be taken seriously. And come on, they are just about 4-5 lakh in number, that’s all. Less than half a million!

Seriously, if a Supreme Court ruling says that the gays who are about 10 per cent of the Indian male population are ‘a miniscule minority’, do these Anglo-Indian fellows even come close?


The 16th Lok Sabha is completing its first year soon. The Narendra Modi government doesn’t seem keen (understatement of the year) to nominate two Anglo-Indian members to the Lower House. Well, that’s had the Anglo-Indian representatives asking President Pranab Mukherjee's to intervene.

They wrote to Modi in December last year, the Bangalore-based ‘Federation of Anglo-Indian Associations in India’. Well, fat lot of good that did!

 

Dr Charles Dias, a former MP from the community and federation president, has said several memoranda have been submitted to the Prime Minister, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu and Minority Affairs Minister Najma Heptullah. Well, what happened?

 "But, there was no response from them so far. This is an injustice perpetrated on a microscopic and weak minority," Dias said in the memorandum submitted to President Mukherjee last week, saying the community is “anxious and eager” to know why their representatives are not nominated to the Lower House.

Really? haven’t seen any signs of restlessness or anguish among most of the Anglo-Indians of Bihar, nor Jharkhand for that matter. Do the Anglo-Indian 'youngsters' care a fig about what we're talking? Are any of the 'community' under 30 ever seen in the forefront of any civic action?

 According to Article 331 of the Constitution of India, if the President is of the opinion that the Anglo-Indian community is not adequately represented in Lok Sabha, he may nominate not more than two members of that community to Lok Sabha.

 “This Article was followed and acted upon all these years since independence. The community is forced to believe that this is yet another cruelty shown by the NDA Government towards a minority community,” the memorandum said.

 La,la,la,la,la…. who are these Anglo chaps anyway? The BJP should know. After all, a decade ago, it relied on the vote of the nominated member in the Jharkhand Assembly to ensure it remained in power during those very shaky initial days!

The Parsi community is tinier than the Anglo-Indian, but look at the clout it has.

It's not good enough for the Anglo-Indians to dream of past glory and how they contributed
to the workforce of modern India.

We are in post-modern, fluctuating times, which as Dylan says are-a-changing. And fast.

It's high time that the young Anglo-Indians sit up and smell the... well... the c-c-coffee!  Before the sh** hits the fan!

Just wearing a badge that reads 'Courage is Destiny' isn't enough. If you are indeed a community with intellect, education, and courage, then give us a sample. Introspect about the double standards and the prejudices within. Address them.  It's nice to recognize your  own rights, and stand in solidarity with others fighting for theirs. And rights have duties as well!

So if Modi and his government don't nominate your chaps to the Lok Sabha, what are you going do about it? And what if he's planning yet another tweak to the constitution of India, saying let's get rid of that redundant  article 331?

Any Political Party ready to shoulder you cause? H'm....?


Author: Frank Krishner also published on NEWSNET ONE

Bihar State AIDS Control Society doesn't give a damn about Mothers!

It’s Mothers’ Day today.

And what does a poor, sick mother in the boondocks of Bihar, desperately trying to ensure that her HIV positive orphaned child gets his essential daily dose of life-saving meds get? Insensitivity, buck-passing and indolence by the government medical fraternity and the Bihar State AIDS Control Society!

 On Thursday May 7, [incidentally observed as AIDS Orphans Day, part of the annual global aids awareness week], a desperate 25 year old widow in Chapra (Bihar state)was running from pillar to post in a frantic bid to obtain the next dose of ART for her 8 year old son. An HIV positive person needs to take the prescribed medicine daily, just like a daily insulin dose for diabetics. If the dose is missed, even for a day, the immune system of the patient starts deteriorating. The people at the ART dispensing centre were helpless, stocks were over. (The special ART formulation for children is given in a syrup form.) When the woman, in desperation went to submit a written intimation to the Nodal Medical Officer, pleading that the medicine be made available, she was brushed aside. The doctor refused to accept her application!

 The woman, a widow on her own, who somehow ekes out a living working in one of those hole-in-the wall ‘ private schools’, is distraught. For the past five days, she has abandoned her work, running to and from the dispensing centre. The irony is that the medication can only be obtained from the government centre and no private chemist shops in Chapra stock the medicine, which is very expensive.

 “I went to get the medicines on the 4th, a day before the last dose ran out. (This is the practice. Patients are given medicines for a month only, and they can’t ask for any advance stocks). There was no medicine available. My child is on ART since 2011. What’s worrying me is that in January, when a CD-4 count was done, his platelet count had dropped to 311 from 1100. I’m desperate,” she said over the phone.

 Exactly 14 days ago, I happened to visit the Chapra ART centre with RTI activist Sanjeet Singh, where the personnel us that stocks were low. “We are just not receiving adequate stocks from BSACS, and we struggle to do what we can,” they said.

 “The High Court has decreed that every ART centre should have a two month stock of ART medicines and medicines for opportunistic infections, but despite assurances from BSACS officials, see the situation!” says Sanjeet.

 In Chapra, the situation is overwhelming. 4200 registrations, ART 2,900 total counting. Last month 1748 patients received ART. There are about 150 children on ART. NACO guidelines are not met. BSACS has not appointed the required staff. Only 4 posts out of 14 are filled. No Medical Officer for the ART and ICTC centre, so obviously, no ‘accountable’ official! There is no CD4 testing machine, even though NACO funds were there for one unit in each district, it is said.


How does the State, and BSACS, which gets funding from the Centre ensure safe motherhood? Probably by twiddling their thumbs and looking the other way!

this is NOT a photo of the widow.... for representation only

BSACS is supposed to provide ‘safe delivery kits’ at all its PPTCT centres. Reality check: That doesn’t happen. Pregnant women have to buy their own ‘safe delivery kits’ from private stores in Patna because the hospital has no stock. “We advise them to take precautions, because many of them end up having home deliveries. Even when they have go to the government hospitals, if they bring along their own kits, it can pre-empt any refusal by the nurses not to deliver the babies for lack of safety kits,” said PPTCT Counsellor Sadhna. A kit costs about Rs 750, and add on the cost of a trip to the state capital, just to buy the kit!

HIV positive pregnant women are denied surgery at Chapra. This was told to me by the PPCTC counsellor. She said that because there is only one OT for caesarean sections in the district hospital, there would be ‘complications’ if an HIV positive C-section was performed. So the pregnant woman is told to be prepared to make the long trip to the Patna Medical College Hospital, over 120 kilometres away, in case a C-section is called for. When we asked the resident gynaecologist at the district hospital about this, all she said was, “I am aware that we have delivered babies from HIV positive mothers, and as for C-sections, so far, no such case has been brought to my notice.”

The woman says “My child is the only reason I am living, if he dies, I am nothing, I might as well destroy myself.”

Just as I was putting the finishing touches to this article, I received a phone call from Sanjeet Singh, the activist. The ART medicines have finally arrived at the Chapra centre on Friday. The 25 year old widow can breathe easy, for one more month… Happy Mothers’ Day!


But, for how long will the State Government and BSACS flout the orders of the High Court? Instead of getting on with the procurement of medicines, will they try to pass the buck if summoned to court once again?









Author: Frank Krishner