By Robancy A Helen –
Trichy: The Federation of Churches in the district of Tiruchirappalli, south India, condemned the ongoing attacks in Manipur at Puthur Four Roads, Trichy on July 2.
This Federation of Churches in Tiruchirappalli district in South India, which includes the Church of South India (CSI), the Tamil Nadu Evangelical Lutheran Church (TELC) and the Catholic Diocese of Tiruchirappalli, invited their members from Tiruchirappalli district, Tamil Nadu.
The same day was marked by special intentions for peace and harmony in the Prayers of the Faithful during Mass, an hour of adoration in all parishes, candlelight processions, and peace rallies all over Tamil Nadu in response to the call given by the CBCI and Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Council (TNBC)
All the Catholic parishes in Tiruchirappalli announced on Sunday that special prayers and an hour of adoration would be held to pray for the people of Manipur. Special collections will be taken to help the afflicted in Manipur.
Pastor Sundaram Yesuraj of Holy Trinity Church of the TELC started the meeting with a prayer.
“We wish our voices were heard by the Union government of India. We are here with sympathy and solidarity for the people of Manipur, and at the same time, we are here to demand the rights and establish justice,” bemoans Father Ambrose, director of the Pastoral Center of the Catholic Diocese of Tiruchirappalli, in his welcome speech.
“We have gathered here with anguish and anxiety and moral anger. Manipur is a small beautiful state with a population of around 35,00,000 people. But 50,000 people are now displaced, persecuted, homeless, deprived of food, and assailed to the forests,” says Father Charles K., secretary to the Commission for Ecumenism and Inter religious Dialogue of Trichy Catholic Diocese.
The people of Manipur are orphaned, and they are left with no medical care. They have no one to help, neither from the government nor from the social workers, who do not have the access to help the afflicted people.
“India celebrated unity in diversity, but now it lives in shame. It is now a place of Enmity among the tribes, violence, terrorist attacks, and crime. Who is responsible for all these? Why do governments not stop? Who inflicted this violence among the tribes?” asks Father Charles.
The tribes are sons and daughters of the soil. The majority tribe of Meitei people is 53%, and the Kukis are 28%, and they are Christians. They used to have many disputes. Now the Meites are demanding Scheduled Tribe status, and some unwanted groups support this and have brought the issue to court. The Court directed the state government to bring the matter to the Union government for consideration. When the Kukis protested this move, the fundamentalist groups added fuel to the fire and made the issue stronger.
More than 120 people died in the violence. Over 300 churches and more were attacked, and the people lost their properties. They have lost their faith in the government and in others. Who is behind all this?
“We are gathered not only because we are Christians but also because we are Tamils who love justice and equality, who wish to see the well-being of our fellow state in the Indian Union. Social Justice is the unique identity of the Tamils. We need to fight back with those who are against justice and people,” said Father Charles.
“We, the Christians, are united today, irrespective of the denominations we belong to. It is because we are parts of the same body of Christ. When a part suffers, the whole body suffers (1 Cor 12:26),” he said.
“India is a secular nation. We need to establish equality. We need to fight against fundamental forces. We need to look beyond our religious identity and be united as the people who love social change,” says Professor S. Cruz Durai, Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary (TTS).
“India is my country, and I am proud to be an Indian. This was our sentiment. We all must raise our voices for humanity. The army could not come out today as the roads were closed for them. People have become refugees,” bemoans Bishop. D. Chandrasekaran, Bishop of Trichy-Thanjavur CSI Diocese.
“We need to be meek and merciful to the suffering people of Manipur, and it is our responsibility,” said Bishop S. Arockia Raj, Catholic Diocese of Tiruchirappalli.
“Meetings, rallies, and candlelight processions are held all over Tamil Nadu as instructed by the Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Council, and we need to pray for the people of Manipur,” he added.
“The Constitutional rights of the Tribal people are violated. We need to stand in solidarity with the people of Manipur. We need to rehabilitate the people,” said Sister Pauline Mary, a member of the Congregation of Mother of Sorrows Servants of Mary.
The fundamental problem of the country is we let go even the culprits if they are from a majoritarian community and punish the minority. We all speak here in order to break the silence of one man in this country expresses Poet Nandalala, Office Bearer of Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers & Artists Association.
The Christians in this country contributed so much to the development and dignity of the people. Muslims, Hindus and the Christians have always been together but what happens now is to spread hate politics to divide the people adds the Poet. He advised the media of Tamil Nadu to highlight to the situation of Manipur
Love one another. This love is the love of the Cross. Jesus taught us to give that love to others. We are here to love, pray for the people of Manipur and condemn the violent attacks against them says Bishop Christian Samraj, Bishop of TELC.
Around 2000 people participated in the meeting and shared their solidarity with the people of Manipur.