34. (SOCIAL-34)

REMARKS ON MOTHER TERESA

A statement on Mother Teresa by the RSS chief Mohan Rao Bhagwat has led to a nationwide controversy. Speaking at an RSS programme, Mohan Bhagwat said that Mother Teresa's caring for the poor and the sick had religious motives and the conversion was the main intention. People on the other side strongly criticized his remarks on Mother Tressa asking him to withdraw it.

However, it is not the first time that Mother Teresa's works are being questioned or criticized.'Mother Teresa faced several controversies even during her own lifetime.These included 'her rather dubious way of caring for the sick, her questionable political contacts, her suspicious management of the enormous sums of money she received, and her overly dogmatic views regarding, in particular, abortion, contraception, and divorce. She was questioned by many including the several Western scholars including some Roman catholics as per previous Media reports. Christopher Hitchens and others have said similar things ages back and questioned the Saintly image of her.

However, her critics also admit that Mother Teresa was genuinely engaged in the service of the poorest of the poor and terminally ill patients and lepers.

As per some of RSS "He was asked a question and he responded. He did not say anything bad". However It will be suicidal for any Indian politician to criticize Mother Teresa. If Bhagwat is really interested in the success of Modi's government, it is better he does not get into this controversy at this time.

                                                                                         -----Pendyala Vasudeva Rao

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