V EDHAMA>iICKA.M: Llvl)JG WATER Ι'" INDIAN
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\νhile there l1ave been attempts to contcxtualize thc faith ίη the Indian context, both in the theological and missiological realms: the need for cultural relevance and seηsίtίνity in missions has gained greater ascendanc}' ίη contemporary India. This is primarily due to three important reasons, which Ι shall briefly highlight. Ι 1ndia is an ancient civilization known for its rich 11eritage οΕ cultural diversity and religious plurality. λs Indian SCll01ar Shasi1i Tharoor puts it, "The singular thing about India is that you can οηlΥ speak of ίι ίη the ΡΙuraΙ"S The ληthroΡοlοgical Surve)' of India's People of 11ldia project has enumerated 4693 communities ίη 1ndia. 6 1t claims that Indian diversity is marked by linguistic heterogeneity, ecological diversity, biological variation and cultural pluralism. )
\'(,Ίιile some argue that dle hegemony of globalization is ineνitably s11aping the world into a homogenized western mould, ίη India, globalization and economic liberalization have also led to the fragmentation and tribalization οΕ the Indian population, with each communit)' attempting to assert its identity. This is evidenced by the formation οΕ innumerous caste organizations, regional political parties and religious movements ίη tlle last two decades. Tndian Christians must celebrate the diversity of Indian cultures as this
not οηlΥ reflect the Kingdom reality (Revelation 7:9) and Indian ethos, it is also a bulwark against the homogenizing attempt of Hindu nationalists to create a mono-cultural, mono-religious Hindu rashtra. Christian witnesses are called to incarnate the gospel ίη the nation so that the 4693 communities ma)' understand, appropriate and celebrate Christ ίη a manner that is compatible ,νith their own cultural contexts. 2. The issue of rootedness οΕ Christianity ίη the native soil that reflects the local culture has become all the more pertinent ίη the light οΕ attacks against Christians and the noisy propaganda of the opponents οΕ Christianit)' that Christians are involved ίη cultural cannibalism. Indian Catholic scholar Felix \Vilfred writes, "The recent incidents of attack οη tl1e churches, Christians, religious personnel- condemnable and painful as they are - are also an occasion for the Christian community for a critical self-exatnination about its rootedness in the sοίΙ" 8 1η ωχ
PhD dissertation οη Hindu nationalism and its engagement with Gujarat, Ι found out ten factors for antagonism towards Christianit)', and cultural insensitivity of Chl1stians is one of them. Even thougll it does not absolve the perpetrators of the atrocities comtmtted against the CΙlristian community, ηοι' can we accept uncrirically the Hindutνa inspired conception of Indian culture, Indian missions need to cngage cu]tural issues more seriously. CΙlristianity ίη