Newmai News Network
Shillong | February 25
A group of Christian leaders from Shillong today sought the intervention of Meghalaya Governor Satya Pal Malik into violence against Christian citizens and churches in the country.
The delegation includes Rev EH Kharkongor, Secretary of the Khasi Jaintia Christian Leaders Forum, Rev Fr Richard Majaw, Vicar General of the Shillong Archdiocese, Rev Himanshu Christian, Presbyter of the All Saints Cathedral, Church of North India Shillong, and RO Wallang a laity member of the Presbyterian Church.
In a letter to the Governor, the group said that Christianity has been a part of the culture and life of India for 2000 years now, and since that time Christian Institutions and individuals have contributed so much to “our country and continues to do so” – in the fields of education and health, development of marginal communities and in nation-building.
The letter also stated that it is pertinent to note here that the Christian community in India is only a small minority of about 2.3% of the population of this country, and always have a harmonious existence with all citizens of different faiths and communities in the land.
“This mutual respect, trust and goodwill is however severely threatened by prejudice, malice, hatred and violence against Christian Churches and Christian citizens all over the country in the last two decades, and more intensely so at the present time on different aspects and levels,” it said.
The letter further stated that in different areas of the country, India witnesses the criminal and unlawful acts against members of its own citizens belonging to the Christian communities – from killing and maiming of missionaries and pastors to the banishment from their abodes by majority communities, to the sacrilegious vandalisation of religious objects and buildings, even to the passing of statutes and government orders restricting a citizen to his or her own choice of faith and belief.
Stating that violence and hatred against each other have to stop, the group said, “As citizens of this great country, we need to live together in harmony, with love, respect and trust which will instil in all the sense of hope for a better future of our nation.”
With great concern on these issues, the group impressed upon the Governor as a person who supports significant causes – like the recent issues affecting the farmers and others – to consider and convey this to the leaders and administrators of the country in the different States and the Centre.
