SHILLONG, Feb 25: Governor Satya Pal Malik has assured a delegation of church leaders of prodding Centre over alleged atrocities on and violence against Christians across parts of the country.
A delegation of church leaders on Friday called on the Governor, airing concern over the alleged atrocities and violence against the community across parts of India.
The delegation comprised Vicar General of the Shillong Archdiocese Rev Fr Richard Majaw, Secretary of the Khasi Jaintia Christian Leaders Forum Rev EH Kharkongor, All Saints Cathedral, Church of North India Shillong, Rev Himanshu Christian and a laity member of the Presbyterian Church, RO Wallang.
The church leaders also handed over a letter to the Governor in this regard.
The leaders, in the letter, said that Christianity has been a part of the culture and life of India for 2,000 years.
They also highlighted the contributions of Christian institutions and individuals towards the country — in the field of education, health, development of marginal communities and in nation-building.
“The Christian community in India is only a small minority of about 2.3 per cent of the population of this country and always have a harmonious existence with all citizens of different faiths and communities in the land,” the church leaders said.
The letter also contended that the mutual respect, trust and goodwill are, however, severely threatened by “prejudice, malice, hatred and violence” against churches and as well as Christians across India in the last two decades.
“In different areas of the country, India witnesses criminal and unlawful acts against members of its own citizens belonging to the Christian communities — from the 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/her own choice of faith and belief,” the letter said.
Maintaining that the violence and hatred need to come to a grinding halt, they said, “As citizens of this great country of ours, we need to live together in harmony, with love, respect and trust which will instill in all the sense of hope for a better future of our nation.”
