Fr Cedric Prakash SJ Awarded ‘Lifetime Achievement Award ’19’ by Delhi Minorities Commission- an Exclusive Interview

Fr Cedric Prakash SJ, a Jesuit of the Gujarat Province Awarded’ Lifetime Achievement Award’ 19′ by Delhi Minorities Commission on 16 June 2020- an Exclusive Interview by Team Mangalorean

Mangaluru: Fr CEDRIC PRAKASH SJ, a Jesuit of the Gujarat Province was honoured on 16 June 2020 with the ‘LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2019’ by the Delhi Minorities Commission, Government of NCT of Delhi. This is yet another feather in the cap, of this illustrious Mangalorean, who has been honoured with a string of international and national awards over the years; these include, the ‘Legion of Honour’ from the President of France and the ‘Kabir Puraskar’ from the Government of India (cfr appendix). Ahmedabad-based Fr Cedric (who hails from the well-known Mascarenhas family of Kankanady), is an internationally acclaimed human rights, reconciliation and peace activist. He is the nephew of Dr Olinda Pereira, the Founder of Vishwas Trust-Mangaluru, (an NGO which takes care of the elderly), who passed just recently at the age of 95. He is also a prolific writer on social issues and contextual spirituality, and also a regular contributor to Mangalorean.com too.

Mangaluru origin Human Rights and Peace Activist Fr Cedric Prakash, after working with the St Xaviers’ Social Service Society, being the director of PRASHANT-the Jesuit centre for human rights – which he founded in Ahmedabad on 2 October 2001, and after a 42-year stint in Gujarat, he worked in Beirut from January 2016 until December 2018, the largest city in Lebanon, where the middle-east crisis was an unfolding tragedy, serving the refugees there. He has been working among the thousands of internally displaced people. He was actively involved in the welfare of the victims of 2002 post-Godhra riots-Gujarat. He shot into prominence when he fought for the victims of the anti-Christian riots in the Dangs in 1998-99.

Since the 2002 Gujarat riots, this Jesuit activist has been a relentless critic of the then chief minister Narendra Modi, over his alleged role in the riots. Even Modi believed that the denial of the US diplomatic visa to him in March 2005 was because of Fr Cedric’s testimony in June 2002 before the US Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) in Washington. He had spearheaded the campaign against Gujarat’s new anti-conversion law The Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act 2003, which he later challenged in 2009 in the High Court.

Interaction with Pope Francis in Vatican-Rome in December 2019

Fr Cedric was named Chevalier of the Legion of Honor, one of the highest French civilian awards, acknowledging his commitment to the defence and the promotion of Human Rights in India. Other than this “Lifetime Achievement award 2019′, Fr. Prakash has also been awarded numerous other awards – Here is a list of some of the Honours/Awards/ Recognitions received by Fr Cedric Prakash SJ over the years: The Sr. M. Annunciata Golden Jubilee Award – in Recognition of his commitment to the Gospel of Life and in appreciation of his uncompromising defense of the sacredness of human life by the Diocesan Human Life Committee, Archdiocese of Bombay (March 2014); The Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice – in recognition for building bridges for communal harmony by the Harmony Foundation, Mumbai (October 2013); Outstanding Achievement Award – for his struggle and selfless service in the cause of Justice and Human Rights in Gujarat, India – by the city of Harvey, Illinois (USA) (November 2012).

Receiving the Legion of Honour from the Ambassador of France ( July 2006)

The Excellence in Social Service Award 2011 by The Christian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCCI) Mumbai (September 2012); World’s TOP TEN Peacemakers in Action by TANENBAUM – the well-known US-based Center for Interreligious Understanding (May 2010); The Human Dignity Award – for his outstanding service in voicing courageously against the violations of the Rights and Dignity of the poor and marginalized. It is very significant and marvellous to recognize his dedicated service to our Nation – from the Diocese of Ahmedabad (February 2010); Plaque Award – for exceptional courage of conviction, for steadfast leadership under tremendous adversity and for insistence on Truth & Justice by Friends in the U.S.A. (December 2009); The Wade Chair Scholar by the Marquette University, Wisconsin (USA) for the year 2009-2010; Certificate of Appreciation for fostering communal peace and harmony by All India Catholic Union (December 2007); Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honour) by the President of the French Republic – for the lifetime commitment to the defence and the promotion of Human Rights in India (July 2006).

Seen with Mother Teresa in Ahmedabad in May 1996

The National Minority Rights Award 2006 – in recognition of an outstanding contribution in promoting minorities rights – by the National Commission for Minorities, New Delhi (December 2006); Fr. Parmananda Divarkar Award for Communication for Peace – for continuous efforts in promoting dialogue for peace and inter-community harmony (January 2004); The Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award – an award by the Indian Muslim Council (USA) – for humanitarian work (June 2003); The Anubhai Chimanlal Nagarikta Puraskar – an award by the Mayor of Ahmedabad – for contribution to the city of Ahmedabad (1996); The Kabir Puraskar Award by the President of India – for promotion of Communal Peace and Harmony (1995); The Silver Tulip Certificate for poetry by ‘Kom over de Brug’, Netherlands (February 1973); Man of the Year Award by St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai (1972); The A.D. Shroff Memorial Elocution Competition (First Prize) by the Forum of Free Enterprise, Bombay (September 1971); The John Damascene D’Almeida Silver Medal for Outstanding Student by St. Xavier’s College, Bombay (March 1971)

With Aunt (Late) Dr Olinda Pereira-the Founder of Vishwas Trust, Mangaluru

In December 2018, Fr Cedric returned from the Middle East on completion of a three- year stint there with the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS). Fr Cedric Prakash Sj was one among the five recipients to receive the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award 2019’, the other four are- Ms Kursheed R Narimar, an Award-winning Sculptor; Mrs Tessta Setalvad- who is committed to Human Rights and Rule of Law; S Rajinder Singh, the Head Granthi, Gurudwara Rehab Ganj accomplished community leader; and Nirmal Kumar Jain Sethi,-life long committed to welfare and promotion of Jain community in India and world. After this latest Award, Team Mangalorean.com caught up with Fr. Cedric and interviewed him exclusively on a whole range of crucial issues.

Following are the excerpts from the exclusive interview:

TM (Team Mangalorean): At the outset, on behalf of Team Mangalorean.com, Congratulations on this well-deserved and timely ‘LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2019’ from the Delhi Minorities Commission. What have you to say about it?

FCP (Fr Cedric Prakash): Thanks, Alfie, and thanks to Ms Violet Pereira (Proprietor/Editor-in-chief) and all in Mangalorean.com for your congratulatory wishes! I really do not know what to say about this Award. I was totally surprised when it was announced, and I sincerely feel that I am not deserving of it.

But yes, I have accepted it happily but also with great humility – recognizing that this Award- (any award in fact)- is given not ONLY to an individual- but to a whole colony of people: collaborators, mentors, guides, colleagues, companions, family, those who accompany you -all who in many different ways have ensured an ‘achievement.’ Above all, awards such as these are a recognition of the issue/s which they seek to highlight (here it is HUMAN RIGHTS), of the work that is still to be done and especially spotlights those who suffer injustices and denial of human rights. The Chairman of the DMC wrote and also spoke in glowing terms about my contribution to human rights in presenting the Award.

TM: Did you receive the award in person?

FCP: No, given the situation here in Ahmedabad, I have not ventured out for almost three months now. A Jesuit companion of mine (of my Gujarat Province) Fr Paul D’Souza, the Superior of the Indian Social Institute, New Delhi, received the Award on my behalf.

TM: Over the years you have received several prestigious international and national awards and other recognition; without doubt, you are the most decorated priest /religious of the Church in India- your comments, please?

FCP: I have never sought and will never seek any award (the material/earthly ones). Yes, several of them have come my way; I do feel rather embarrassed about them, and I rarely refer to them too. In some ways awards are ‘occupational hazards’; but on the other hand, these awards do provide legitimacy to what I try to do; sometimes they also become a kind of a ‘security’. Above all, in accepting them, with humility, I see them as a motivating factor to do more and better!

TM: About the type of work you are engaged in, it is not easy: you have taken many risks, faced several threats- even death threats- what to you have to say to this?

FCP: Well, I normally do not like to highlight this dimension of my life. Yes, Advocacy work; the struggle for human rights, justice and peace is not easy- it is fraught with risks. In most cases, one necessarily has to stand up against the big, powerful vested interests and those who are exploiting the poor and the marginalized. Today in India, it is clearly the ruling regime, their cohorts in the Sangh Parivar and their crony capitalist friends. This unhealthy nexus is destroying the Country in every possible way- particularly our pluralistic fabric and the values and freedom enshrined in our Constitution. One doesn’t have to be a rocket scientist to know what is happening around us. Yes, when you stand up against them you have to face the consequences: in the past I have been beaten up, received death threats, my office has been broken into and burgled, with computer data stolen; false cases have been foisted on me; attempts were made to impound my passport; besides, of course, being trolled and a subject of their hate and venom is a routine affair. However, I try to focus on what I can do and should be doing. Since I am a positive person, I don’t allow these aspects to get the better of me!

TM: Our heartfelt sympathies on the death of your dear Aunt – Sr (Dr.) Olinda Pereira (you were very close to her; so was I too). She has contributed very much to Mangaluru, to Karnataka, to India and to the Church. Mangalorean.com paid extensive homage (including your tribute) to her. (Ref: Tribute To My Dearest Friend Dr Olinda Pereira- a Mentor, Social Worker, Role Model, Educationist-Sadly Missed!) (Ref: ‘WE CAN NEVER SAY GOODBYE TO YOU!) Some more words from you on your Aunt…

FCP: The death of my beloved Aunt Linda on 31 May (Pentecost Sunday) has left a deep void in the hearts and lives of many everywhere. True, she lived a complete and fulfilled life, till almost ninety-five years. No regrets about that. She was active and on her feet till 11 April (Holy Saturday) when she had a fall; she never did come out of it-despite the best medical and other care from all around. She finally died very peacefully and silently. Yes, we are all aware that she contributed significantly to Country and Church and was involved in several pioneering initiatives everywhere. She was a compassionate person – who ALWAYS reached out to the last, the least and the lost. All of us, in her immediate family, particularly my siblings Bernadette D’Souza, Germaine Saldanha and Roland Lobo and myself, will miss her very much. She is truly a Saint – interceding for us from above!

TM: You come from a very well-known family of Mangaluru; do share with us a bit of your family history….

FCP: You will have to contact Dr Michael Lobo for this! Dr Michael is a painstaking genealogist and historian, who does great service to the community, and I have been receiving updated versions of his research on my family, regularly. However, in brief: my great grandfather Dr Simon Mascarenhas was a close associate of Fr Muller and one of the pioneers of the hospital; his brother Servant of God Raymond Mascarenhas founded the Bethany Congregation and also built the St Sebastian’s Church in Bendur); one of my grand-aunts Juliana Mascarenhas was a well-known educationist and a Government Inspector of Schools; my mother Cynthia had only two sisters both became nuns; the elder Sr Bernadette was an Apostolic Carmel nun; for some time she was Principal of Margil School, Mangaluru.

She later went to the north and died in an accident in a Jeep belonging to the Jesuits in Nagaland during a visitation there; and well, my mother’s younger sister was the late Dr Olinda Pereira the founder-Principal of ‘Roshni Nilaya’ – the School of Social Work in Mangaluru. My grandfather’s brother Fr Frank Pereira was the builder of the current Milagres Church; my mother’s first cousin Austen Tauro I.A.S. (now in his nineties) lives in Mangaluru. As a civil servant, he held several responsibilities in the Government, including Chairman and Managing Director of the Indian Oil Corporation. Well, there are several other cousins and relatives, who have done well in life, both in India and abroad.

TM: Do Share with us about the inclusion of your story in the book by the Pope Francis & Friends – ‘Sharing the Wisdom of Time’ and about your meeting with Pope Francis in the Vatican last December.

FCP: About three years ago, when I was in Lebanon, I suddenly got an email and then a call from Rosemary Lane, one of the editors from the Loyola Press in Chicago. She told me that they would like to interview me for a new book that they would bring out in October 2018. I readily agreed. The interview was long and detailed. Actually, I did not give much thought to it after that, but you can imagine my joy when the path-breaking book, ‘Sharing the Wisdom of Time’, was released at the end of the Synod of Bishops. Published by (www.loyolapress.com) the book is spread over five thematic chapters: work, struggle, love, death and hope. 

Pope Francis views elders as reservoirs of wisdom and historical memory and believes their insights will offer future generation’s much-needed understanding and direction. More than 250 people (between the ages of 65 and 100) were interviewed for this book; Loyola Press selected 90 of them (which make up the masterpiece book) and sent them to the Vatican. Pope Francis read every story, prayed over them, and responded with sensitivity and grace to 31 of the stories and the issues they raise. In his Preface, Pope Francis lays out his reasons for this collection of wisdom stories and the movement he hopes it inspires.

In a personal response to my experience that is published in the book, Pope Francis says among other things, “Father Cedric’s story is wonderful….The story of Father Cedric helps us understand that we must go beyond the inconveniences of life…..maybe with a sense of humour, and certainly with the conviction that all things can be resolved. The wisdom of age, accompanied by a sense of humour and a touch of irony, can help us to see our daily challenges in a positive way and avoid dramatization. We have to take a fresh and creative look at things. Love is creative, and it will not be overcome by the disasters and pitfalls of life. That’s the way love sees things”.

I was simply overwhelmed reading that wonderful message from Pope Francis In December 2019, and I was invited for a Conference to the Vatican; a special audience with Pope Francis was part of the programme. I had the privilege of having some extra value time with him. I still revisit the joy of that encounter: the way he listened to me and encouraged me to carry on the work I was doing!

TM: You were in the Middle East for three years. How was your experience there? What prompted you to go there?

FCP: Yes, I was in the Middle East for three years from January 2016. I was invited by the Jesuit Refugee Service of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region to work among the refugees and displaced in the Region (Syria, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Lebanon). I was based in Beirut Lebanon and entrusted with the responsibility of Advocacy and Communications for the Region.

The late Fr Pedro Arrupe the former Superior General of the Society of Jesus (he is now on the fast track to Beatification), founded the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) on 14 November 1980 in response to the cries and the plight of the boat people of South East Asia who were fleeing war and persecution. Fr Arrupe was and will always be a source of inspiration and strength to me (as he is to many others). Ever since I heard about the JRS, I always dreamt of spending some time with this excellent organization. Besides over the years several Jesuits who I admire like Frs. Pierre Ceyrac, Varkey Perekkatt, and Jose Changanacherry had spent some years with the JRS in different conflict zones. Listening to their first-hand experiences was an added motivating factor for me.

Finally, in 2015 the then JRS International Director Fr Peter Balleis invited me to work with JRS I went to see the work in Lebanon, went through a difficult process of discernment and with due permission of my Superiors, I finally said “YES” to a call! My three years with the JRS and in the Middle East were an important and defining time of my life.

TM: What are you doing at present?

FCP: My forte has always been Advocacy and Communications; my focus has been human rights, justice, reconciliation and peace! I am confident that I will never divert from this core competency. Besides our General Congregation 36 and recently the Jesuit Conference of South Asia have mandated all Jesuits to take a stand against the many human rights violations that take place in the Country today due to the ascendancy of fundamentalism and the blatant anti- Constitutional activities of those fascist forces who are against the pluralism and secular character of the Country. With the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and others anti-Constitutional measures already in play, I have been going all around the Country speaking at programmes, conducting awareness seminars, interacting with civil society groups.

My base continues to be Ahmedabad and at PRASHANT the Jesuit Centre for Human Rights Justice and Peace which I founded on 2 October 2001. Since the lockdown on 25 March, I have been (like most others) locked in – but doing plenty of writing, YouTube programmes on Contextual Spirituality, participating in webinars all over the world, engaged in social media; besides I am also working on a couple of books. Yes, I keep myself very busy on aspects which are dear to me and which I think are important for the Church and the Country!

TM: How do you assess the current scenario in India for human rights activism?

FCP: The current scenario for human rights activism in India is extremely bad. We hear about threats, intimidation, arrests, foisting of false cases and even death for all those who take a stand for human rights, justice and peace. In December 2018 a young journalist Amit Topno from Jharkhand was brutally murdered for exposing some of the local mafias. Eminent journalist Gauri Lankesh and intellectuals like Dabholkar, Pansare, Kalburgi and others have been killed by right-wing elements. Well-known human rights activists Sudha Bharadwaj (Faridabad), Arun Ferreira (Thane), Vernon Gonsalves (Mumbai), Gautam Navlakha (Delhi), Anand Teltumbde (Goa) and writer P Varavara Rao (Hyderabad) and others, are languishing in jail on absolutely fictitious charges; my own Jesuit Companion 80-year-old Fr Stan Swamy was searched and hounded.

I am a close associate of Teesta Setalvad and her husband Javed Anand, I know how over the years they have been targeted and harassed in every possible way. Anti-CAA protestors are arrested today on fabricated charges. Writers and other dissenters are booked for sedition! There are several others – friends and colleagues who have to bear the brunt of a very repressive political system; the Government has also decided to snoop into our computers. Something totally unacceptable in a democracy – if this is not fascism at its worst – what is?

TM: What are the major threats facing India? What are the ways to tackle them?

FCP: There are several threats facing India today. The major one is to our democratic traditions and to the freedoms and other values enshrined in our Constitution. India, in the last few years, has fared very badly on every human rights parameter. One experiences this all the time and everywhere. We see the erosion of ‘Freedom of Speech and Expression’, the Right to life and the dignity of the human person, a small fringe group of anti-nationals decide what we eat and see, wear and read or for that matter if women can drink in a bar. Lynching has become the new normal (recently a young Catholic boy was lynched in Odisha). ‘Freedom of Religion’ is a thing of the past! The Government is wedded to crony capitalism: we have seen it in demonetization and how they have mainstreamed corruption.

Even in this time of the pandemic COVID-19, the Government has abdicated all responsibility. Our health infrastructure is a mess! Migrant workers are still desperate to return to their homes. We have seen heart-rending pictures and footage of their plight. The Government has begun collecting vast amounts of money under the ‘PM Cares Fund’ – but refuses to be transparent and divulge the accounts. The Government is busy most of the time trying to topple legitimately elected State Governments by buying up opposition MLAs.

The costs of diesel and petrol and other essential commodities are skyrocketing daily. With the auctioning of coal blocks in areas which are rich in bio-diversity, the Government clearly shows that it does not care for the environment! The poor become poorer every day. We are all aware of the plight of our farmers. There is empirical data to show how a minuscule percent of the Country’s population owns a mind-boggling percentage of the Country’s wealth. It was unprecedented that four Senior most sitting Judges of the Supreme Court held a press conference in January 2018 to warn the Nation of how the spirit and the letter of the Constitution were being systematically destroyed. We see how the judiciary has been destroyed to a great extent today. Almost all Constitutional and independent bodies have either been co-opted or like caged parrots! One can certainly go on highlighting several other threats which are prevalent in the Country today! Now we have China, Nepal and Pakistan all attacking us in different ways at the same time. Sadly, we have no leadership in the Country today!

These threats need to be tackled in an urgent and collective way at every level possible. Citizens from every walk of life must come out in large numbers – be visible and vocal – to ensure that democracy is saved and the Constitution is not changed. The fascist, fundamentalist forces must be put in place. We must hold political parties accountable for their misdeeds and ensure that they focus on Governance and on serving the people. Too much of ‘fekuism’: myths, lies, false promises have been foisted on the Nation. We must ensure that we exercise our franchise and motivate all others to do so. We need to educate people on our Constitutional values and fundamental rights. We need to engage with the media and also be active on it. Yes, all of us can do plenty to stem the rot that is taking place in the Country.

TM: What is the role of Christians and the Church in this scenario?

FCP: Christians and the Church in India must play a very active role in addressing the ills of the Country. We cannot be fence-sitters. We have to be vocal and visible for a more just, free and equitable India. This, I believe, is what Jesus expects from us today. In February 2014, just before the General Elections that year the CBCI met in Palai Kerala on the theme, ‘Renewed Church for a Renewed Society – Responding to the Call of Vatican II’. In a significant message the Bishops said, “When we look at our Country, we see corruption plaguing every sphere of society. In such a scenario, Church institutions must be an example of transparency and probity. Another phenomenon is that of internal migration which, while opening opportunities to people, has torn the cultural and religious moorings that sustained them. Globalization too has brought in its wake problems like prolonged working hours which have disrupted family life. We witness the trend to fundamentalism which seeks to dilute the secular character of our Nation. Against this trend, we stand by the values upheld by the Indian Constitution and appeal to governments to respect these values”.

“The experience of God will lead us to involvement in and solidarity with the marginalized and the exploited, those suffering from disabilities, those living in the peripheries of economic, cultural and social spheres. We will speak out against all forms of injustice meted out to them, and we will defend their rights. We listened to the call of Pope Francis, urging us to “work to eliminate the structural causes of poverty and to promote the integral development of the poor’ (Evangelii Gaudium, no. 188). We want the Church to be truly a Church of the Poor”.

Our Church leadership needs to take a cue from Pope Francis, who has been steadfast in his teachings on discipleship. In a path-breaking message for the World Day of Peace 2019, Pope Francis writes, “Everyone can contribute his or her stone to help build the common home. Authentic political life, grounded in law and in frank and fair relations between individuals, experiences renewal whenever we are convinced that every woman, man and generation bring the promise of new relational, intellectual, cultural and spiritual energies. That kind of trust is never easy to achieve, because human relations are complex, especially in our own times, marked by a climate of mistrust rooted in fear of others or of strangers, or anxiety about one’s personal security. Sadly, it is also seen at the political level, in attitudes of rejection or forms of nationalism that call into question the fraternity of which our globalized world has such great need. Today more than ever, our societies need “artisans of peace” who can be messengers and authentic witnesses of God the Father, who wills the good and the happiness of the human family”.

We have just begun observing a ‘Laudato Si’ year in the Church – we will have the courage to address systemic issues which are destroying the fragile ecosystems of our Country – or will we be comfortable with doing some cosmetic exercises only? Above all, we need to consistently remember the temptations of Jesus and have the commitment to shun power, privileges, possessions, positions. We have to be living witnesses in these critical times and show the Country that we are truly disciples of Jesus. As Church, as Christians, all of us are called to play a Courageous and Prophetic role in today’s India!

TM: Is Hindu majoritarianism a danger for the Church in India?

FCP: ‘Majoritarianism’ anywhere is not good for the healthy growth of society- particularly in democracies. Majority communities must necessarily be sensitive to the rights of the minorities. However, in India, it is not about the ‘Hindu’ Majority but of a small group under the banner of the ‘Sangh Parivar’ who are a danger to the whole Country and not only to the Christians. They are desperately working towards the establishment of a ‘Hindutva State’; we need to be in the know of this. Efforts to change the essence of the Constitution are underway.

The Constitution is very clear: we are a sovereign, secular, socialist democratic republic. Changing any of these essential elements is non-negotiable. Whilst debate is always welcome- what constitutes the soul and character of our Nation, should never be tampered with.

TM: Fr Cedric, it has indeed been a very long and intensive interview with you. I am sure all our readers will learn much from what you say and do? Do you have a final message for them?

FCP: Well, yes, it has been a very long interview; thanks to you and all at Mangalorean.com for making this happen. I have said enough, but as a final message I would like to say:

ALWAYS HAVE the COURAGE TO STAND UP FOR TRUTH and JUSTICE! God bless you all!

TM: Thank you very much dear Fr Cedric Prakash and congratulations once again on the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award 2019’

FCP: Thank you very much!

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