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'Another India is possible': Fr. Cedric Prakash SJ to lead justice and peace mission

By A Representative 
Well-known Jesuit human rights, justice and peace activist, writer and trainer Fr. Cedric Prakash SJ has been elected National Convener of the Forum of Religious for Justice and Peace (FORUM). The election took place during the Forum's General Body Meeting at Ishvani Kendra, Pune, on 12 October 2026, at the conclusion of its XIX National Convention.
Fr. Prakash, who is widely recognised for his decades of advocacy on human rights and communal harmony and is based out of Gujarat, takes over the leadership of a network of religious men and women drawn from 14 States and 27 Congregations. The Convention, held from 10 to 12 October under the theme 'Fostering Justice, Peace and Solidarity in Today's Context', saw members deliberate on the pressing social realities facing the country and chart a roadmap for the years ahead.
The other newly elected officials of the FORUM are Sr. Rose Thomas SSpS (Telangana) as National Joint Convenor; Fr. Selvin Raj SJ (Andhra Pradesh) as National Secretary; and Sr. Prema Chowallur SCC (North East) as National Treasurer. These four comprise the Working Group of the FORUM. Five other members were also elected, and together with the Working Group they form the National Core Committee (NACCO): Fr. Anil Almeida SJ (Delhi), Sr. Usha Samuel SRA (UP), Br. Varghese Theckanath SG (Telangana), Sr. Aloysia SJL (Tamil Nadu) and Sr. Rajni Kujur OLP (UP). The elections were conducted in a hybrid manner, adopting a sociocratic method at the State and Regional level and then by secret ballot at the National level. Elected officials normally serve for a two-year period.
The Convention, which began on 10 October—the day Gen-Z and other student and civil society organisations launched a nationwide campaign protesting the rot in the electoral system—saw participants take out a symbolic march in solidarity with the protesting millions. The FORUM's statement condemned systemic injustices, corruption, communal violence, the politics of exclusion, threats to secularism, the mainstreaming of discrimination and the demonisation of the 'other', the rise of fundamentalism and the denial of Constitutional rights to many.
In a significant address, Fr. Anand IMS, the outgoing National Convener, presented a concept paper anchored in the biblical verse "Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream" (Amos 5:24), outlining the Forum's mission of standing with the poor, fostering religious harmony, acting as bridge-builders, and answering the call of Gen Z. Bishop Malcolm Sequeira of Amravati, in his inaugural address, emphasised the Church's need to walk with today's youth for justice, peace, harmony and solidarity. 
Noted feminist scholar and social work educator Mrs. Nagamani Rao delivered the keynote address, drawing inspiration from social reformers such as Mahatma Gandhi, Buddha, Jyotirao Phule and B.R. Ambedkar, while highlighting global warming, consumerism and the disintegration of values.
The Convention also featured a workshop on diversity, secularism, the Constitution and communal politics facilitated by Neha Dabhade, Farhat Khan and Irfan Engineer of the Centre for Study of Society and Secularism (CSSS), Mumbai, as well as a panel discussion on Artificial Intelligence and its role in peace and harmony. The newly amended Constitution of the FORUM was released during the gathering, and the National Convention Statement was passed unanimously by the members present at the General Body meeting.
The FORUM pledged to mainstream justice and peace concerns in the lives of religious in India, with Fr. Prakash at the helm expected to carry forward its prophetic mission. As the Convention affirmed: "May our communities become springs of justice, our ministries instruments of peace, and our lives expressions of solidarity—proclaiming with prophetic courage that another India is possible."

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