NEW DELHI: Over 3,200 prominent citizens of the Christian community, including TMC MP Derek O’Brien, have endorsed a statement dissociating themselves from a luncheon hosted for community representatives by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 25 , while denouncing the increasing attacks and defamation from “members”. of the regime in place” and the situation in Manipur.
The Christian community has contributed significantly to the country’s freedom struggle as well as in all walks of life since independence, especially in the educational, medical, social, cultural and political sectors, the statement said.
“However, in the recent past, especially since 2014, Christians in India have been subjected to continued attacks and defamation by members of the ruling regime across the country,” the statement said.
“Christians and Christian schools and institutions have been hunted down and harassed, their places of worship destroyed, they have been denied their ordinary rights as citizens and have been subjected to denigration and demonization,” the text adds.
The statement said that “the anti-conversion laws that have been implemented in the BJP-ruled states are being used as weapons against the fundamental right to preach, practice and propagate one’s religion.”
“Celebrations in schools were interrupted and Christians were arrested without a warrant and put behind bars without any offense on their part,” the text adds.
The statement also mentions the violent situation in Manipur, where tensions have continued mainly with the Hindu Meitei and predominantly Christian Kuki communities since May 3, 2023.
“Christians in Manipur have been subjected to constant attacks which continue unabated and with the apparent approval of the BJP governments, both in the State and at the Centre,” the statement said.
The statement further said that “in the wake of all this, it is ironic that the Prime Minister hosted around 100 Christian representatives of different faiths on Christmas morning for a celebration.”
“While it is certainly within his rights as Prime Minister to host a reception for whomever he wishes, one might naturally question the intent of this reception when he has not condemned a single attack against Christians, during his mandate as Prime Minister,” he said.
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“Those invited to the Christmas reception were a select group of Christians. Although the invitation came from the Prime Minister, this was an opportunity for them to courteously decline the invitation in light of what happened to the Christians from Manipur and elsewhere. Therefore, their acceptance of this invitation was not on our behalf!” the statement said.
“Today, we, the Christians of India, together with conscious and committed citizens, pledge to protect and promote the Constitution, the country and the citizens of India and to work with and for all those who are victims of “an unjust, insincere and authoritarian regime”, adds the press release. .
The signatories of the statement also include retired IAS officer MG Devashayam and retired IPS officer John Shilsi.
Civil society activists Apoorvanand, John Dayal, Shabnam Hashmi, Minakshi Singh, Mary Scaria and AC Michael told a press conference last week that it was ironic that the year, which saw churches burned in Manipur in May, ends with congratulations from Prime Minister Modi. minority community leaders.
The Prime Minister met members of the Christian community at his Delhi residence over Christmas and praised the community for its role in guiding society and its sense of service.
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