Kejriwal as a Follower of the Lord

Kejriwal as a Follower of the Lord

I received a WhatsApp message in which Kejriwal says, “We have tried to run the government on the path shown by Jesus Christ.” The message included a link to a video: [YouTube](https://youtu.be/lbARbBjDNTk). The sender added the comment, “Must see this, even Kejriwal follows Lord Jesus’ path.”

In the early Church, the Fathers saw the cross in everything—whether ploughs, hammers, or other objects, both animate and inanimate. Similarly, many Indian Christians and converts see followers of Christ in Indian political leaders whenever such statements are made. I’m not blaming Kejriwal or questioning whether he made this statement. In fact, like Kejriwal, many politicians, religious leaders, and social workers have been impressed by the teachings of Jesus. But when they make these statements publicly, Christians and converts should not rush to conclude that these individuals are now followers of Christ. Seeing one’s own faith in every such statement reveals a shallow understanding of that faith.

Starting with Swami Vivekananda and followed by Mahatma Gandhi, many have appreciated Muktinath but never accepted His authority over them. Vivekananda even said that Jesus is either to be worshipped as God or dismissed as a madman, but he was clear that he would not give Christ a solitary throne.

During festivals, Indian politicians—including the Prime Minister, President, and Chief Ministers—routinely send greetings. Similarly, during Christmas and Good Friday, they often say, “The teachings of Jesus are still relevant today, and we should follow them.” But this does not mean they have become followers of Christ. These greetings are formalities, expected during all festivals. Projecting one’s personal religious beliefs onto such political statements should be avoided to respect others’ religious sentiments.

Kejriwal openly declared during his campaign that he is a devotee of Hanuman and even recited the Hanuman Chalisa. After his election victory, he went to his favorite Hanuman temple to give thanks. In his victory speech, after crediting the people of Delhi, he also gave credit to Hanuman.

So, do not impose your religious sentiments on others. Respect others’ personal faiths.

@…Raja Ram Mohun Roy, Keshub Chander Sen, P.C. Mozoomdar, Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda, Dr. Radhakrishnan, and Mahatma Gandhi never admitted that the Jesus of history was the Christ of Christian theology, the only Son of God and the sole Savior of mankind. — Sitaram Goel, History of Hindu-Christian Encounters, New Delhi, Voice of India, 1986, Enlarged second edition, 1996, p.viii.