MUMBAI: For Maharashtra’s Christian minority, the upcoming election poses difficult decisions, particularly in light of Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent statements promising an anti-conversion law and rejecting minority quotas if a BJP government comes to power. Although major political parties have not fielded any Christian candidates in Mumbai, community leaders are urging members to vote in large numbers on November 20.
Cyril Dara, a core member of Samast Christi Samaj, a federation of Christian NGOs, expressed concern about anti-conversion laws that, he says, create a “climate where converting to a minority religion is dangerous and sharing the gospel can lead to persecution.” Bishop Allwyn D’Silva, overseeing social outreach for the Archdiocese, echoed this sentiment, urging Christians to “support parties that respect the Constitution.” He highlighted communal tension, economic disparity, job scarcity, and “injustices like the anti-conversion bill” as pressing issues.
Herbert Barretto, president of the Maharashtrian East Indian Christian Federation, voiced dissatisfaction with Congress, NCP, and both Shiv Sena factions for sidelining Christian candidates in the ticket distribution. Melwyn Fernandes of the AOCC also expressed disappointment over Congress’s omission of Christian candidates, despite the party’s secular stance and longstanding support from the Christian community.
Fr Frazer Mascarenhas SJ, an educational administrator and Catholic priest, pointed to rising violence against minorities, economic hardship, and the erosion of democratic institutions as motivating factors for Christian voters. “Christians are more motivated to vote this time, driven by concerns about law and order, misuse of laws like UAPA, economic challenges, hate speeches, and issues in the judiciary,” he said, referencing the cases of Prof. Saibaba and Fr. Stan Swamy as examples.
