Religious leaders remember slain priest who championed Dalit’s cause, protest against violence

Patna – In the wake of the recent killing of the vicar general of Patna archdiocese and the parish priest of Mokama, Fr. Mathew Uzhuthal, various religious leaders have joined hands to demand justice and protest against the wave of violence in Bihar.

About 3000 people of various religious backgrounds convened at a meeting and a prayer rally on May 8, held in the memory of the slain priest who passed away on May 1 due to fatal stab wounds inflicted by a local goon who tried to extort money from him.

During the meeting, various religious leaders placed floral wreathes in front of a photo of the slain priest and also formed a human chain in protest against the escalating violence in the state of Bihar.

The group Hinsa Virodhi Manch (forum against violence), comprising of prominent religious leaders, organized the program in Patna.

Ali Anwar, a Muslim, said an attack on such a religious leader hurts the sentiments of everyone, not only followers of that religion. The Muslim community stands with the Christians and all other minorities in their fight for justice, he affirmed, calling the administration's inability to arrest the culprit "more disconcerting."

A Sikh leader, Kuldip Singh Saluja, said the Catholic priest led a life of service and love, following the example of Christ. "The Sikh community will be at the forefront of making sacrifices. We stand with you in your fight for justice," he pledged.

Lamenting that Christians are "too minority–conscious" in the state and “Christians in Bihar come together only when there is a crisis,” Rajendra Kamal, secretary of the Baptist Union of Bihar, urged that a “forum that should immediately take up this matter with the state administration” should be formed.

“Father Uzhuthal's death should not be in vain, but rather should help bring people together for a united fight for our rights as citizens and as minorities," said Lakhi Vihas Shyam Lal, secretary of the Methodist Union in Patna.

Calling for the gathering "to go beyond paying respects" to the slain priest, Jesuit Fr. Abraham Puthumana, the former provincial superior of Jesuits in Patna, urged people to stand up courageously to fight "aggression and injustice."

Violence against human life is a concern for all, he maintained, asserting that in the fight against violence and for justice there is no distinction between Hindu, Sikh, Muslim or Christian.

Fr. Puthumana also proposed an open forum comprising people from all religions that could help the advancement of Dalit and the poor – the people Fr. Uzhuthal served for 40 years.

“Father Uzhuthal was a tireless promoter of Dalit lay leadership and a champion of the laity for over 30 years,” said Mr. Gabriel John, president of the Bihar unit of the All India Catholic Union.

“It was he who attempted to implement the role of the laity enshrined in the Vatican Council II and established parish councils in several parishes,” he said.

“He had deep love for Dalit Christians and was always available to help them. He was always positive about his people,” said Sisters of Charity of Nazareth nun, Sister Mercy Thundathil, associated with Father Uzhuthal for nearly 32 years in pastoral work.

The greatest contribution of Fr. Uzhuthal is empowerment of the laity through faith formation, she said.

“Father Uzhuthal’s contribution to training Catholic youth will always be remembered. It was because of him that many of the Dalit Catholics from Mokama were able to get educated and employed in urban centres,” said Mr. Shilachandra Das.

“His main focus was laity leadership and overall development of the Dalit Christian community. He helped us find our career and employment in Patna,” said Mr. Arvind Kumar, another Dalit Catholic from Mokama. “We never felt him as a stranger. He was one with us. He could recall and identify anybody whom he had met earlier,” Kumar recalled.

Jesuit Archbishop Benedict J. Osta of Patna archdiocese, who addressed the gathering, thanked people of other religious and urged them to work together "not only in hours of crisis, but at all times."

According to news sources, Hinsa Virodhi Manch has sent a memorandum to the state governor seeking his intervention to have Fr. Uzhuthal's killer brought to justice.