FIACONA Congratulates the Union of India on Her 75th Independence Day:

August 16, 2022. Washington DC. The Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations of North America (FIACONA) congratulates the people of India on the 75th Anniversary of her independence from British Rule.

FIACONA applauds the resilience of the people of India and their commitment to a democratic system of government in the face of organized assault on the institutions of democracy by non-state actors and their affiliated political parties.

The unprecedented number of attacks against Christian and other religious minority groups and the rise in hate crimes against them should be a serious concern for all democratic nations around the world.

It is important for India to stay true to its founding principles of liberal democratic values. Right-wing politics has the potential to threaten stability in the Indian Ocean corridor. A strong pull toward dictatorial tendencies will weaken the Union of India like it has weakened other countries in that region.

Such internal developments will lead to social unrest and political instability internally, as has been in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar.

India, the largest democracy in the world, should emerge as a leader and example to other democracies in the world.  A strong and vibrant India that respects the freedom of all its people irrespective of caste, creed, and religion will be an example for the rest of the world.  If India follows the current path of divisive policies, it will soon end up as a nation divided.  We hope that the leaders wake up and continue to embrace the vision of the founding fathers of India as a pluralistic liberal democratic republic.