Bishops ask Modi to urgently intervene to save secular India
The Christians of this country need assurance from the Government that we are protected and secure and safe in our motherland.
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| CBCI center in New Delhi. |
New Delhi:
Officials of the Indian bishops in a special consultation have asked Indian Prime Minister Narendara Modi to urgently intervene and stop activities that challenge nation's secular nature.
They urged Modi "to urgently intervene and take appropriate action to stop incidents that pose big threat to the unity of this secular nation," said a press release from Indian Catholic Bishops' Conference.
Cardinal Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, president of the conference, presided over the special consultation on Monday in New Delhi.
Cardinals Oswald Gracias, Telesphore Toppo and George Alencherry also attended it along with CBCI Office-Bearers, representatives of Conference of Religious, laity youth and women.
The unfortunate incidents that happened in the past few months in various parts of our country have hurt the sentiments of the Christian community, said the press release referring to several cases of attacks against Christians and churches in India.
Such events have "shaken the faith in the secular fabric of our nation. The shocking incidents that have taken place against Churches, clergy and laity in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi have caused great concern for the Christian community," it said.
The recent controversies in the name of religious reconversions portray a negative image about India. Communal polarization and the bid to homogenize India are posing threat to all minorities – women, dalits, and all linguistic, cultural and religious minorities, it said.
The reconversion programs of Hindu hardline organizations called Ghar Wapsi programmes, the saffranisation of education and culture, and the demands for a Hindu Rashtra are challenging to the secular ethos of our beloved country.
"The Christians of this country need assurance from the Government that we are protected and secure and safe in our motherland. We express our strong concern on the aforementioned issues," said the press release signed by Conference's Deputy Secretary General Fr. Joseph Chinnayyan.
"Putting an end to such dangerous tendencies is inevitable for the growth and progress of our great nation," said asserting Christian recommitment "for the progress and development of our nation."
Source: Press Release
Courtesy: http://www.ucanindia.in/news/bishops-ask-modi-to-urgently-intervene-to-save-secular-india/27555/daily
