India protestors push for change

India (MNN) ― Recent protests in India brought the question of whether or not the country could risk facing its own "Arab Spring."

An anti-corruption movement is snowballing into a challenge for the ruling Congress Party. Dave Stravers with Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Mission Indiasays, "The population of India is fed up with governmental corruption and injustice. They're demanding a new standard of accountability and a new standard for actions from government officials."
Debate over the issues of corruption spread to include the rights of civil society to organize, air its views, and influence policy-making.

There are some parallels with the Arab Spring, but Stravers thinks that India's diversity will take it a different direction. "There have been non-violent protests, demonstrations at government buildings. I think this is actually good news. I attribute this, partly at least, to the success that the Gospel has had in the last 10 to 15 years in India."

Stravers explains that the Gospel message runs counter to the message of the Hindu caste. As a result, the Church is growing faster than those in power are comfortable with. A Hindu nationalist movement is becoming more vocal as they see the power base shifting away from the docile Dalits. Today, Christians are finding themselves in new places of influence in society. Their worldview shapes their actions, and that brings hope. Stravers says, "When people get hope, that's when the protests start."

For example, the lowest castes have traditionally been marginalized in India. "We'll have people come into our literacy classes and discover that they're human beings. Literally, they did not know they were human beings," exclaims Stravers.  He adds that "when they're treated unjustly, people say, 'Well, I'm not fully human, so we must accept this.' There's a kind of fatalism, a resignation."

As the students go through the literacy curriculum, or participate in other parts of Mission India's outreach, they begin to understand their value. "When people learn that there's a God who loves them, that they're human beings, that they have potential, then there's a whole change, a kind of a transformation in attitude."

Outrage over being taken advantage of can be a catalyst for change. "Unfortunately, this can create an angry outburst, but the good news is that Indians are now demanding a kind of ethical standard that is absolutely essential if their country is going to thrive."

Stravers goes on to say, "We're not advocating involvement in protests, but we do say, 'Pray to God and expect God to bless you.' Treat each other justly, fairly, honestly with grace, mercy and love." Because that is a pro-active response, living as a Christ-follower gets attention and opens doors for the Gospel. "This is a new message. People look around, and they hear stories of what's happening in other countries. They read the Scriptures and say, 'This would be good for our society to operate this way.'"

An Arab Spring may not be what India is looking at in its future, but as Stravers describes the changes, India is very possibly looking at a season of harvest.