Christians and Gujarat elections

Gujarat is best known for its violence against minorities more than the founder of the non-violent movement – Mahatma Gandhi. It started with Christians and went on to Muslims and now both are at the gunpoint of the right wing BJP government. Stories from this region have focused almost around this aspect. BJP seems to be unassailable in Gujarat and as long as BJP remains in power, this aspect will remain the focal point and stories generated are likely to follow threadbare portions of this angle. The ongoing rebellion within the BJP, I believe, is just a farce because no one has grown bigger than any right wing party in any part of the world(hey there are exceptions everywhere). Right wing politicking is based on ideologies and individuals do not matter here.
Once upon a time, Christians were the target and many believed they bore the brunt for political reason. It may be true because the attention post 9/11 turned to Muslims. Unlike in other parts of the country, clergy in Gujarat have not been able to focus on anything other than the usual offensive against the community. Bishops in Gujarat have seldom issued a press statement and even if they have, it has been through priests well connected with journalists.
Church in Gujarat is dormant and very boring. Unless provoked, it has no action. And ‘unfortunately’ there are enough provocations for them only to react. There are many reasons for that. Take for example constructing a Church in a piece of land owned by you. You will never get a permit for this. And so are the cases of many events where the Church may have plans to implement but walk out fearing repercussions. This can be best illustrated in a couple of charismatic conventions, which was one of the most low profile programmes conducted. Church in Gujarat is hundred years young. And it is still in its infancy having all sorts of troubles that all churches universally had – especially power struggles and clergy-laity differences. But these struggles are not new and so it is not newsworthy and so goes unreported. But dormancy by no way means the church is inactive. The Church executes some of the best social and educational responsibilities in the state. Their presence in some of the remote areas is commendable. But it is not vibrant as it is in some of the Indian states. With elections dates close to Christmas, Christians will hope their celebrations are not spoiled.