‘Demonetization’ by Modi is ‘Demonization’- Fr Cedric Prakash

‘Demonetization’ by Modi is ‘Demonization’- Fr Cedric Prakash

Mangaluru: Well-known Jesuit Priest Fr. Cedric Prakash, who is also a noted human rights activist, was in Mangaluru recently (December 4th to 11th) on a personal visit. Despite personal and family commitments, he accepted a whole range of invitations to speak to various groups and congregations across the city, which included three separate talks at St Aloysius College (to the AICUF students; to the MSW and Journalism Depts. and to the English Dept.); and an address to the Jesuit Scholastics at Asha Kiran. But Team Mangalorean had the opportunity to meet Fr Cedric Prakash at an intensive tete-a-tete with some of the human rights activists of Mangaluru, which was hosted by Celine Aranha at her residence at Ray Ville Apartments-Upper Bendore-Mangaluru

Since a year now, Fr Prakash is based in Beirut Lebanon and works as the responsible for Advocacy and Communications of the Jesuit Refugee Service(JRS) in the Middle East and North Africa(MENA). Besides Lebanon, his work takes him frequently to Syria, Jordan, Turkey and Iraq; he has been in close contact with the refugees/IDPs and also interacting with INGOs, UN Agencies and also Governments in context of his work on behalf of the refugees and the Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs).

Fr. Prakash’s visit coincided with Human Rights Day (December 10th). In his talks/interactions he touched wide –ranging issues, which included the human rights situation in India, the rights of the refugees and the IDPs; the role of Pope Francis and the Jesuits today and the need of justice and peace everywhere. Speaking exclusively to Team Mangalorean, Fr Cedric Prakash was happy with the response he received from various sections of Mangalore Society which he addressed (students, activists, academics, intellectuals, priests and religious). “It augurs well for the future; I am convinced that these sections of society will transcend their own self-interests and ensure that India will always preserve her diversity, pluralism, multi-culturalism where the rights and freedoms of every single citizen is guaranteed and protected.” Below are some extracts of what he said at various fora:

On Demonetization by PM Modi:

Demonetization is a clear example when the Government goes all out of the way to protect the powerful vested interests and the corrupt and put the poor, ordinary citizen to plenty of misery and trouble. This “Demonetization” by PM Modis is nothing but “Demonization”? India’s Demonetization Is A “Massive Man-Made Disaster”- the situation is getting much worse, and more desperate. It is obvious that Modi single-handedly took the decision to ban the banknotes, with most people in his cabinet and virtually all in the central bank oblivious to his plan. There is virtually no visible opposition to the enforced ban, for any politician who opposes the ban risks having his own misdeeds — and they are all corrupt — brought to the public space by Modi. A true demagogue, Modi, has already convinced the gullible, salaried middle class that anyone who opposes the ban is hiding corrupt money and is anti-national.

With every passing day, it has not only become clearer that the ban was of no use to eradicate hidden cash, but has also inflicted deep, wide and irreparable damage to the society. The economy is rapidly moving toward stagnation. The lives of literally hundreds of millions are in deep chaos. This event may well go down in the history books as one of the worst man-made crises ever. Should a single person have so much power to be able to destroy the lives of almost one out of every five human beings on the planet? This demonetization is simply a bad move in the name of destroying corruption. What’s happening to India now is very dangerous. (More on the topic of Demonetization will be published through a separate report which will sent by Fr Cedric soon)

On Human Rights situation in India:

It is pathetic to see the way the country is being dragged into unmitigated disaster by the Government of the day – and by a small group of fundamentalists, fascists and fanatics! The rights and freedoms which are guaranteed in the Indian Constitution are totally disregarded by autocrats and despots, who today attempt to control the lives and destinies of the people. They have abdicated their role and responsibility to defend the rights of every citizen: the right to life and to livelihood; to freedom of speech and expression; to freedom to preach, practise and propagate one’s religion; the right to eat, dress and see what one chooses and several others. All these rights are articles of the ‘Universal Declaration of Universal Rights’, which India also signed on December 10th 1948.

The greatest vacuum is the virtual absence of an opposition – either as a single party or as a united collective. They have everything on a platter for them- but they seem to fail, when things matter the most. Besides, the ‘middle-class’ is becoming more and more selfish – and many are not bothered about what is happening to the poor, the marginalised and the other vulnerable sections of society.

We live in a Goebbelsian era in India: when a sizeable percentage of people (including the so-called educated and middle- class) are swept away by empty promises, myths and lies. Fortunately, India still has some human rights defenders and human rights activists – who at great risk to their lives take up cudgels for Truth and Justice – and do all they can for the victims of injustice and those who suffer from various forms of exploitation.

On the plight of the Refugees/ IDPs:

We need to make a paradigm shift in our attitudes towards the ‘other’ – the refugees, displaced, slum-dwellers, marginalized and sub-alterns. We have to advocate for them; that their voice may be heard in our own- to stand up for their rights; to prevent the powerful and vested interests from riding rough-shod over them

We have to be aware of and take on the profiteering weapons industry which is largely responsible for fuelling conflict everywhere (In September 2015 speaking to the US Congress Pope Francis said, “why are deadly weapons being sold to those who plan to inflict untold suffering on individuals and society? Sadly, the answer, as we all know, is simply for money: money that is drenched in blood, often innocent blood. In the face of this shameful and culpable silence, it is our duty to confront the problem and to stop the arms trade”.)

We have to challenge the Indian and other Governments who are dramatically increasing their military spending (apparentlyafraid of terrorism and of a growing influx of migrants) and at the cost of social expenditure particularly for the displaced

All of us have to be aware that refugees also have rights! These rights are guaranteed by the 1951 Refugee Convention (signed by 144 Countries) and the 1967 Protocol. These major legal documents define the term ‘refugee’ and outline the rights of the displaced, as well as the legal obligation of States to protect them. “A refugee has the right to safe asylum. However, international protection comprises more than physical safety. Refugees should receive at least the same rights and basic help as any other foreigner who is a legal resident, including freedom of thought, of movement, and freedom from torture and degrading treatment. Economic and social rights are equally applicable. Refugees should have access to medical care, schooling and the right to work.” And these rights also need to be guaranteed to other forcibly displaced persons.