Manipur violence: Catholic clergy told to play prophetic role, not be complicit in crime

Counterview Desk
Maria Nirmalini, president of the high profile Christian organisation Conference of Religious, India (CRI), in an open letter to Catholic Church's major superiors, the clergy which governs an entire or a part of a clerical institute, has called upon them to meaningfully engage in "burning issues" of India "which are happening at a frightening regularity".
Particularly referring to violence in Manipur, where "Christians and other tribals are being attacked, Nirmalini said, "The fact is that we can no longer remain ensconced in our comfort zones; our silence and our fear to play a prophetic role, makes us complicit in the many crimes of today."

Text:

I am writing this letter to share with you my concern at the many serious happenings in different parts of the country; these include the ongoing targeted violence in Manipur on the Christians and other tribals; the continual attacks on Church personnel and institutions; the denigration of the Muslims; the mainstreaming of hate speeches; the pathetic plight of our protesting women wrestlers. There are of course, several other issues.
In the face of these growing hostilities, the question I have been asking myself is: Can I remain silent? What would Jesus have done if he was physically present in the India of today? The answer is obvious: he would have taken a visible and vocal stand against these acts of violence and injustices!

As Religious, wedded to the person and message of Jesus- we have no choice! Like Jesus, we too must come out in the open; be visible and vocal and to do all we can to right the wrongs.
There are several ways by which we can get involved in these critical issues; these include:

Join in/collaborate/support protests/ peace marches/ rallies/dharnas being organized in support of the protesting wrestlers, the victims of Manipur etc.
Already beginning today, 1st June, the farmers of India have begun a nation-wide campaign in support of the wrestlers which culminates in a massive national protest on 5th June
Encourage as many as possible religious, clergy, laity and others to join in
As the Diocesan CRI Unit you can also decide to organize a protest rally as early as possible – bringing together religious and other like-minded individuals and groups
Write letters of support to the wrestlers
Give a memorandum to the District Collector/Governor
Donate/help in collecting relief supplies for the victims of Manipur
Use social media to condemn what is happening to our wrestlers and in Manipur

The above are just some possibilities for meaningful engagement in the context of the burning issues taking place in our country at this moment and of other issues which are happening at a frightening regularity.

The fact is that we can no longer remain ensconced in our comfort zones; our silence and our fear to play a prophetic role, makes us complicit in the many crimes of today. Pope Francis constantly has demanded that we as religious need to “wake up” and also “to wake up others”. In ‘Evangelii Gaudium’ (The Joy of the Gospel) he strongly says:

“Demands involving the distribution of wealth, concern for the poor and human rights cannot be suppressed under the guise of creating a consensus on paper or a transient peace for a contented minority. The dignity of the human person and the common good rank higher than the comfort of those who refuse to renounce their privileges. When these values are threatened, a prophetic voice must be raised”. (#218).
Let us then, begin NOW – before it is too late!

Comments

Avoidable Narmada floods: Modi birthday fete caused long wait for release of dam waters

Counterview Desk Top advocacy group, South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP), has accused the Sardar Sarovar dam operators for once again acting in an "unaccountable" manner, bringing "avoidable floods in downstream Gujarat." In a detailed analysis, SANDRP has said that the water level at the Golden Bridge in Bharuch approached the highest flood level on September 17, 2023, but these "could have been significantly lower and much less disastrous" both for the upstream and downstream areas of the dam, if the authorities had taken action earlier based on available actionable information.

Biden urged to warn Modi: US can declare India as worst religious freedom offender

By Our Representative During a Congressional Briefing held on Capitol Hill, Washington DC, Nadine Maenza, former Chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), has wondered why the Biden administration should raise issues of mass anti-minority mob violence -- particularly in Haryana and Manipur -- with Modi. Modi should be told that if such violence continues, the US will be “compelled by law” to designate India as one of the world’s worst offenders of religious freedom, she urged.

From 'Naatu-Naatu' to 'Nipah-Nipah': Dancing to the tune of western pipers?

By Dr Amitav Banerjee, MD* Some critics have commented that the ecstatic response of most Indians to the Oscar for the racy Indian song, “Naatu-Naatu” from the film, “RRR” reeks of sheer racism, insulting visuals and a colonial hangover. It was perhaps these ingredients that impressed the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, one critic says.

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah* The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual.

Buddhist shrines were 'massively destroyed' by Brahmanical rulers: Historian DN Jha

Nalanda mahavihara By Our Representative Prominent historian DN Jha, an expert in India's ancient and medieval past, in his new book , "Against the Grain: Notes on Identity, Intolerance and History", in a sharp critique of "Hindutva ideologues", who look at the ancient period of Indian history as "a golden age marked by social harmony, devoid of any religious violence", has said, "Demolition and desecration of rival religious establishments, and the appropriation of their idols, was not uncommon in India before the advent of Islam".

Asset managers hold '2.8 times more equity' in fossil fuel cos than in green investments

By Deepanwita Gita Niyogi* The world’s largest asset managers are far off track to meet the 2050 net zero commitments , a new study released by InfluenceMap , a London-based think tank working on climate change and sustainability, says. Released on August 1, the Asset Managers and Climate Change 2023 report by FinanceMap, a work stream of InfluenceMap, finds that the world’s largest asset managers have not improved on their climate performance in the past two years.

Evading primary responsibility, ONGC decides to invest Rs 15,000 crore in sick subsidiary

By NS Venkataraman* It is reported that Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) will infuse about Rs 15,000 crore in ONGC Petro-additions Ltd (OPaL) as part of a financial restructuring exercise. ONGC currently holds 49.36 per cent stake in (OPaL), which operates a mega petrochemical plant at Dahej in Gujarat. GAIL (India) Ltd has 49.21 per cent interest and Gujarat State Petrochemical Corporation (GSPC) has the remaining 1.43 per cent.

Savarkar 'criminally betrayed' Netaji and his INA by siding with the British rulers

By Shamsul Islam* RSS-BJP rulers of India have been trying to show off as great fans of Netaji. But Indians must know what role ideological parents of today's RSS/BJP played against Netaji and Indian National Army (INA). The Hindu Mahasabha and RSS which always had prominent lawyers on their rolls made no attempt to defend the INA accused at Red Fort trials.

Sales, profits of Indian firms 'deteriorate', yet no significant increase in cost pressures

By Our Representative The Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad's (IIM-A's) latest Business Inflation Expectations Survey (BIES), a monthly exercise, has said that while cost perceptions data does not indicate significant increase of cost pressures, sales and profits of the Indian firms have deteriorated.

'State-sanctioned terror': Stop drone attack on Adivasis, urge over 80 world academics

Counterview Desk A joint statement, “Indigenous Peoples’ Un-Freedoms and Our Academic Freedom: A Call for Solidarity”, endorsed by over 80 signatories, including international academics, activists and civil society organizations, as well as diasporic Indian academics and researchers, working with Adivasi (indigenous) communities in India, has made an urgent appeal to prevent future drone bomb attacks by the Indian state on Adivasi villages.

Search This Blog