Daijiworld Media Network – Brahmavar (TP)
Brahmavar, June 7: Dr Steven Menezes, a distinguished scholar and proud son of Barkur, has authored a powerful new book titled "Christians in the Largest Democracy", offering a comprehensive study of the Christian community’s journey, contributions, and challenges in India.
Published this year, the book provides a nuanced exploration of the Christian experience in India, delving into its historical roots, societal contributions, and contemporary struggles. Dr Steven Menezes, who has led a remarkable academic and professional journey, brings a unique perspective to this timely work.
"Christians in the Largest Democracy" traces the 2,000-year history of Christianity in India, beginning with St Thomas’s arrival in Kerala in 52 AD. Dr Menezes explores its spread through both voluntary and controversial means, including colonial-era conversions, and highlights the community’s impact through schools, hospitals, and social welfare initiatives.
The book also addresses contemporary challenges, citing data from the United Christian Forum and Evangelical Fellowship of India, which reported 834 violent incidents against Christians in 2024 — a sharp rise from 525 in the first eight months of 2023. It examines the role of Hindu nationalism in fuelling these tensions and critiques problematic conversion practices within some Christian denominations.
The book is structured across ten chapters, covering topics from the origins of Christianity and its arrival in India to the Goa Inquisition, caste dynamics, and modern political representation.
Dr Menezes offers balanced insights, acknowledging both the positive impacts of Christian institutions and the ethical concerns surrounding aggressive conversion tactics. Drawing from his personal experiences in Barkur — where interfaith harmony once thrived — he advocates for ethical conversion practices, the rejection of violence, the protection of constitutional rights, and interfaith dialogue to foster peace.
Dr Steven Menezes hails from Kacchur village in Barkur, a historic town that once served as the sub-capital of the Hoysala Kings, the provincial capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, and the ancient capital of the Alupa dynasty. Born into a Christian family, he was raised by his maternal grandmother, the late Mary Sequeira, to whom the book is dedicated.
Dr Menezes studied at Barkur’s National Junior College before pursuing psychology at the University of Bombay. His early ambition to become a Catholic priest was set aside as he explored diverse interests, including Hindu Jyotishya astrology, which he studied in southern Kerala, earning the prestigious "Vidyavachaspati" status from Kamalnishtha Sansthan, Kolsia.
A multifaceted individual, Dr Menezes has made significant contributions in fashion, social welfare, and administration. He transitioned from developing fashion products to exporting them to Europe and the US, working with renowned companies such as Eurodif in Paris.
A committed philanthropist and vegan, he has collaborated with organisations like PETA and People for Animals, earning recognition from the late Gopinath Munde in 1996 for his social welfare work. In 2022, he was honoured as the "Best Administrator" in India by GIA India, an award conferred by union minister Meenakshi Lekhi. He currently serves as secretary and CEO of Noida Golf Course, India’s largest golfing facility.
Reflecting on his motivation for writing the book, Dr Menezes shared, “As someone born to parents from different Christian castes and raised in Barkur’s diverse community, I’ve seen both interfaith harmony and rising tensions. My study of Christian theology and Hindu Jyotishya gave me a unique lens to understand these complexities. I wrote this book to present facts, foster dialogue, and highlight the contributions and challenges of Christians in India, hoping to bridge divides in our pluralistic society.”
For the people of Barkur, Dr Steven Menezes’s work is a source of pride, reflecting the town’s legacy of cultural and religious diversity. His book not only honours his roots but also amplifies Barkur’s spirit of coexistence on a national stage. "Christians in the Largest Democracy" is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand India’s religious dynamics and the path towards a more inclusive future.
The book is available in Kindle and hardcover editions at: https://amzn.in/d/6p6994H