Tamil Nadu: AICCC condemns attack on Manipur Churches, holds massive protest in support of Christians
The All India Christian Churches Council (AICCC), on Sunday, held a massive protest at the Chennai Collector Office in Parrys, Chennai, to take security measures to protect churches that were attacked in the Manipur violence. The All India Christian Churches Council (AICCC), on Sunday, held a massive protest at the Chennai Collector Office in Parrys, Chennai, to take security measures to protect Churches that were attacked in the Manipur violence. National President-Founder of the AICCC, Bishop B Mohandas headed the protest. Additionally, Christian Community National High-level leaders based in the Taluk district of Tamil Nadu along with the circle community members participated in the protest wearing black clothes. More than 400 members of various Christian organisations participated in the protest holding a board that said, "Save Manipur Christians and Churches". "We Christian community peoples gathered here to condemn the current situation in Manipur in support of our community peoples. Central Government should take necessary action immediately to save the Christian peoples", said Winson, AICCC President, South Chennai. Adding further, Winson said, "It has been more than 5 weeks since prayers were offered at the churches in Manipur. They are closed and some of them have been damaged". Additionally, the AICCC president urged the
‘Orthodox Syrian Christian’ Community Of Udupi Calls To End Manipur Violence
Udupi: On the occasion of the Feast of St Thomas the Apostle of India, celebrated as “Indian Christian Day,” representatives of the Orthodox Syrian Christian Community in Udupi District, Karnataka, submitted a memorandum to the President of India and the Prime Minister through the Additional District Collector of Udupi District, Veena BN K.A.S. The memorandum highlights the disturbing rise in violent incidents in Manipur over the past few months, including armed clashes, acts of terrorism, extortion, targeted killings, and the destruction of religious places, particularly Christian churches. Furthermore, it draws attention to the displacement of over 50,000 people, with more than 200-300 religious centres being vandalized. This violence has had a severe impact on the social, economic, and cultural fabric of the state. We believe it is imperative to take immediate action to address this situation and restore peace in Manipur. Citing Article 355 of the Indian Constitution, which empowers the Union to protect states against internal disturbances and ensure the proper functioning of state governments. We earnestly appeal to the President and the Prime Minister to exercise their constitutional authority in this regard. It strongly urges the central government to deploy additional security forces to maintain law and order, establish a Peacekeeping Commission
Indore: Catholic Society To Celebrate ‘Indian Christian Day’ Today
ndore (Madhya Pradesh): The Catholic Society will be celebrating St Thomas’ Memory Day as ‘Indian Christian Day’ on Monday at St Raphael School from 6:30 pm. Prayer to Saint Thomas the Apostle leads to miracles such as healing of illnesses, protection from calamities, and liberation from adversity, and spiritual growth. Many individuals have been cured, protected, and guided through their prayers, receiving mental and spiritual support. "St. Thomas the Apostle's unwavering faith and dedication to spreading the message of Jesus are truly inspiring. His story reminds us of the importance of questioning, seeking understanding, and finding our own path to faith. As a Bishop of Indore, I strive to instil in all members of the Christian community the same spirit of curiosity and critical thinking that St Thomas exemplified. His commitment to sharing the teachings of Jesus in different regions serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of love and belief,” said Bishop ChakoThotamorical, Bishop of Indore Diocese. “As the Parish Priest of St Francis Cathedral Church in Indore, I am deeply inspired by the arrival of St Thomas the Apostle in India, which historical records indicate occurred in the 1st century AD. The accounts of his missionary work and
India’s PM Modi wages war against Christians with impunity from US
Last week, President Joe Biden offered “the glitziest of welcomes” to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi both in the form of a prestigious state banquet and a private dinner with the President and First Lady. Given Modi’s atrocious record on human rights and religious freedom, the White House’s invitation predictably raised concerns from the broader humanitarian community. It's easy to understand why Biden took such a bold step despite its PR risks. India’s surging economy, which overtook the U.K. to become the world’s fifth-largest economy in 2022, makes it a critical partner. And Prime Minister Modi, despite the deplorable human rights violations that have occurred under the watch of his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is the world’s most popular elected leader with a 77% approval rating. Yet popularity and economy should not trump morality and humanity when it comes to U.S. foreign policy. In fact, America has historically been most strongly positioned when we balance economic and political interests with human rights concerns. The White House cannot and should not overlook Prime Minister Modi and the BJP’s long record of overlooking violence and abuses. The safety and lives of countless Indians — including tens of thousands of vulnerable Indian Christians —
Manipur violence ‘genocide’, ‘another version of Gujarat riots’: Kerala Archbishop Joseph Pamplany
Archbishop Joseph Pamplany hit out at the BJP governments in the Centre and Manipur for failing to ‘quench the violence’ and alleged that Christians were being singled out and attacked. The Kerala-based Syro-Malabar Catholic Church on Thursday said the violence in Manipur has “turned into a genocide” and developed into “another version” of the 2002 Gujarat riots, with Christians being singled out and attacked. “There seems to be a concerted effort behind the riots. People have apprehension that the government is shielding those behind the riots,” Archbishop Joseph Pamplany, one of the core members of the Synod of the Catholic Church in Kerala, said on Thursday, addressing the media in Kannur. “The violence in Manipur has turned into a genocide. Both the Centre and the state governments have failed in quenching the violence. The tension in Manipur has turned into a genocide which is unheard of in the history of the country. It has developed into another version of the riots in Gujarat,” the archbishop said. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent statement in the US that there is no discrimination in India, the archbishop said the Prime Minister should have made that comment looking at the face of the people of Manipur. Pamplany
DMK MP Booked For Attack On Church Priest
In a major controversy in Tamil Nadu’s Thirunelveli, DMK MP Gnana Thiravam was sent a notice by the party leadership for attacking a church priest. In a major controversy in Tamil Nadu’s Thirunelveli, DMK MP Gnana Thiravam has been sent a notice by the party leadership. In the Thirunelveli diocese of the Church of South India (CSI), the DMK MP Gnana Diraviyam served as a member of the council as well as the treasurer of the Holy Yovana Bhavan school until a few days ago. However, the MP was removed from these positions all of a sudden, without any notice. He has been replaced by Arul Manickam, a government lawyer. Shocked by this move, the DMK MP and his supporters went to the Holy Yovana Bhavan school to express their angst against the decision and seek an explanation. While talks were on, the supporters of the MP and the new officials indulged in a scuffle. Furthermore, Gnana and his supporters locked some rooms in the CSI office at Thirumandalam in Palayamkottai, Thirunelveli, and staged a protest. The authorities then insisted that the rooms should be opened and the administrative activities should not be disrupted. Meanwhile, a senior priest, Godfrey Noble, visited the CSI Thirumandalam
Church in India to observe a national day of prayer for peace in Manipur
As sectarian violence continues in Manipur, the Catholic bishops of India call for a special day of prayer for peace in the riot-hit Indian state. By Lisa Zengarini The Catholic Church of India has called for a national day of prayer on Sunday, July 2, to end the ongoing sectarian violence in Manipur. Over 100 dead and 50,000 displaced by ongoing violence The violence erupted in the north-eastern Indian state on May 3, when Hindu-majority Meitei people, who control the local political power and represent or 53 percent of its population, attacked a demonstration of Kuki tribals, who are mainly Christians, protesting against a court proposal to extend the Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Meitei. The special status grants priority in government jobs, education, and other affirmative programs meant for the indigenous people, such as the Kuki. Nearly two months since the outbreak of the violence, which so far has claimed over 100 lives and displaced more than 50,000 people, mostly Kuki Christians, unrest hasn’t yet subsided. This has been confirmed in recent days by Archbishop Dominic Lumon of Imphal, in a letter addressed to Indian bishops updating them on the latest developments. According to the prelate, clashes continue unabated, notably in the outlying areas of
Christian Family Traumatized by Ethnic Violence in India
On the evening of May 3, an ethnic Christian in northern India’s Manipur state received a call from a relative advising her to pack up and leave home with her children immediately. Manngaihlun Tombing, of the Kuki ethnic minority in Churachandpur, did not take it seriously, she said. The worst that could happen, she thought, was that the government would impose a curfew. “Keeping that in mind, I quickly rushed to a nearby store and bought enough supplies to sustain us if a curfew was imposed,” Tombing said. Little did Tombing know that she and her family would flee their home and narrowly escape death several times over the next 24 hours. Tombing lived in the area known as Paite Veng, of the state capital, Imphal, with her husband, their two children, her mother-in-law and a domestic helper when the May 3 violence began between the predominantly Christian Kuki and the Meitei, who are majority Hindu. Tombing did not anticipate that the ethnic clash that originated during a march to protest the demand of the Meitei community for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status would result in the killing of almost 200 people and leave 60,000 displaced. When she returned home from the market, she received a
The Biden-Modi Meeting Was a Failure for Democracy
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received VIP treatment at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue this week, including a state dinner with President Biden and an address to Congress. Modi’s red-carpet treatment was a significant endorsement of his governance, and one few world leaders have received. However, under Modi’s premiership, India has moved away from shared values and democratic norms, embracing Hindu nationalism and scapegoating religious minorities. While President Biden and Congressional leaders spoke about human rights and religious freedom, talk alone will not move Modi to change course. Modi accomplished much during his brief time in Washington, at little cost to his political agenda. The Joint Statement from the United States and India covers a laundry list of Indian priorities. While the document references human rights at the beginning, its 58 paragraphs overwhelmingly focus on technology and trade in ways hugely beneficial to India. Modi also scored a renewed pledge to permanently include India in a reformed United Nations Security Council and joint slap down of archrival Pakistan for terrorism. But did Modi deserve this treatment? The U.S. secured little in hard security commitments from him or other items that could bolster democracy and human rights in the region. For instance, Modi
India’s Rising Importance for the US: Potential and Grim Challenges
India's increasing inclination towards sourcing defence supplies from the US does signify a strengthening strategic partnership. However, it is important to recognise that defence cooperation takes time to mature, and challenges may arise along the way. India’s ascent on the global stage is a subject that has garnered limited attention, yet recent developments point to its growing significance. However, it is also true that India remains relatively unknown among the American public and policy circles. Its visibility in the mainstream media, financial exchanges, global supply chains, and even common stores is minimal. But the lack of widespread recognition need not diminish India’s potential impact or its emerging role in international affairs. While India’s middle class is expanding, concerns are raised about its comparability with developed nations. The overvaluation of gross domestic product (GDP) using ‘purchasing power parity’ (PPP) misrepresents India’s global economic outreach; not even comparable with China let alone the US or the European Union. It is essential to acknowledge that India’s per capita income remains far too low– ranked 139th in nominal and 127th in terms of PPP. The sheer size of the Indian market, with just under 1.5 billion consumers, and a nominal GDP of $3 trillion presents a compelling
