Joe Coelho, Mangalore/Wisconsin

The decision of the right-wing central government in India to celebrate “Good Governance Day” on 25 December is a bad one – and certainly is not an act of “good governance”. By “forcing” this decision on all citizens, the government is in effect trampling on the sentiments of a section of Indians: this violates the tenets of good governance. But I suppose this was expected from a government that cares little for the minorities and whose primary, or should I say “only”, goal is to appease the radical elements present in the “majority” while the majority of the majority sees no reason to raise their voice against this injustice.

I am sure much dust will be raised by the minorities who are affected by this decision of the government. And the government to save its face, especially on the international stage, will indicate that it is purely a voluntary celebration and that no one will be forced to work on that day which is a gazetted holiday in India. And, for this year at least, the event will pass off with some concessions made so that the minorities can celebrate Christmas as in the past. The concessions, no doubt, will be fewer next year.

But while I was thinking about this whole affair, something struck me. Though it may sound naïve, it might be a good idea to speak of “good governance” on Christmas day. Not because it is the birthday of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and he might have put in “some effort” towards good governance, but rather because it is the birthday of Jesus Christ. The message that Jesus brought, the message of servant leadership, the message of God’s reign where justice, love, peace and joy will abound – these notions are all about good governance. And so it is right that the birth of Jesus Christ, which ushers in good governance, be also an occasion to invite every person irrespective of creed or race or class or caste to take on these values so that everyone may live in harmony and peace in our great Motherland.

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