Pained that Catholic leadership not playing decisive role to stop Manipur violence

Statement by the Indian Catholic Press Association, premier Organization of Catholic Journalists, Dailies and Periodicals in India, on the Manipur crisis

***

We, the Executive Committee members of the Indian Catholic Press Association (ICPA), met in Ahmedabad. In this city, the Father of our Nation, Mahatma Gandhi gave to the world his twin doctrine of ahimsa (non-violence) and satyagraha (force of truth). The hallowed ‘Sabarmati Ashram’ and the ‘Dandi Bridge’ from which the Mahatma began the unparalleled ‘Dandi yatra’, challenge us Catholic journalists of India, to respond in a more meaningful way to the unbridled violence, hate and untruth that has gripped Manipur and several other parts of our country today.
It is 50 days since violence broke out in Manipur on 3 May. Though the reality is complex, we are deeply pained that precious little is being done to stop the violence. More than one hundred people have been killed, thousands of others have been brutalised, raped and rendered homeless. Homes, Churches and other institutions have been looted, set on fire and razed to the ground.
The perpetrators continue their heinous deeds, with apparent support from the ruling regime; even heavily protected State armouries with sophisticated weapons have been ‘looted’ by them. It is a known fact, that most of the victims of this crime against humanity, are Christians and other tribals. Well-meaning citizens from all over the country, are outraged that the State and the Central Governments have not demonstrated the political will to stop the violence, which obviously point out both to their culpability and complicity.
On behalf of the Indian Catholic Press Association (ICPA), we the Executive Committee members, demand that:

the State Government of Manipur is dismissed without delay; that President’s rule is imposed and that the violence is stopped immediately;
those who have been driven out of their homes and lands be given safe passage to return and are ensured the necessary security in their areas;
the perpetrators and instigators (however powerful they be) are brought to book and given appropriate punishment;
adequate and just compensation is given to all victims of this violence;
an Independent Citizens Tribunal (consisting of eleven independent citizens from across the country) be set up to look into the causes and the extent of this violence.

We are also pained that the leadership of the Catholic Church has not sufficiently played a prophetic, prompt and decisive role to stop this violence and to alleviate the tremendous suffering of the people of Manipur. We therefore call upon the Catholic Church leadership, to form a high-level team with the other Christian Churches, go to Manipur as soon as possible and try to bring a healing touch to the suffering people there!
On our part, as the ICPA, we will leave no stone unturned in our responsibility to highlight the importance of truth and non-violence for a more just, free, equitable and fraternal India.
The time to act is now – before it is too late for all!

Comments

70,000 migrants, sold on Canadian dream, face uncertain future: Canada reinvents the xenophobic wheel

By Saurav Sarkar* Bikram Singh is running out of time on his post-study work visa in Canada. Singh is one of about 70,000 migrants who were sold on the Canadian dream of eventually making the country their home but now face an uncertain future with their work permits set to expire by December 2024. They came from places like India, China, and the Philippines, and sold their land and belongings in their home countries, took out loans, or made other enormous commitments to get themselves to Canada.

Kerala government data implicates the Covid vaccines for excess deaths

By Bhaskaran Raman* On 03 Dec 2024, Mr Unnikrishnan of the Indian Express had written an article titled: “Kerala govt data busts vaccine death myth; no rise in mortality post-Covid”. It claims “no significant change in the death rate in the 35-44 age group between 2019 and 2023”. However, the claim is obviously wrong, even to a casual observer, as per the same data which the article presents, as explained below.

PM-JUGA: Support to states and gram sabhas for the FRA implementation and preparation and execution of CFR management plan

By Dr. Manohar Chauhan* (Over the period, under 275(1), Ministry of Tribal Affairs has provided fund to the states for FRA implementation. Besides, some states like Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra allocated special fund for FRA implementation. Now PM-JUDA under “Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan(DAJGUA) lunched by Prime Minister on 2nd October 2024 will not only be the major source of funding from MoTA to the States/UTs, but also will be the major support to the Gram sabha for the preparation and execution of CFR management Plan).

Operation Kagar represents Indian state's intensified attempt to extinguish Maoism: Resistance continues

By Harsh Thakor Operation Kagar represents the Indian state's intensified attempt to extinguish Maoism, which claims to embody the struggles and aspirations of Adivasis. Criminalized by the state, the Maoists have been portrayed as a threat, with Operation Kagar deploying strategies that jeopardize their activities. This operation weaves together economic, cultural, and political motives, allegedly with drone attacks on Adivasi homes.

How Amit Shah's statement on Ambedkar reflects frustration of those uncomfortable with Dalit assertion, empowerment

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* Dr. B.R. Ambedkar remains the liberator and emancipator of India’s oppressed communities. However, attempts to box him between two Brahmanical political parties betray a superficial and self-serving understanding of his legacy. The statement by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the Rajya Sabha was highly objectionable, reflecting the frustration of those uncomfortable with Dalit assertion and empowerment.

This book delves deep into Maoism's historical, social, and political dimensions in India

By Harsh Thakor* "Storming the Gates of Heaven" by Amit Bhattacharya is a comprehensive study of the Indian Maoist movement. Bhattacharya examines the movement's evolution, drawing from numerous sources and showcasing his unwavering support for Charu Mazumdar's path and practice. The book, published in 2016, delves deeply into the movement's historical, social, and political dimensions.

Ideological assault on dargah of Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti will disturb pluralistic legacy: Modi told

Counterview Desk Letter to the Prime Minister about "a matter of the utmost concern affecting our country's social fabric": *** We are a group of independent citizens who over the past few years have made efforts to improve the deteriorating communal relations in the country. It is abundantly clear that over the last decade relations between communities, particularly Hindus and Muslims, and to an extent Christians are extremely strained leaving these latter two communities in extreme anxiety and insecurity.

Defeat of martial law: Has the decisive moment for change come in South Korea?

By Steven Lee Late at night on December 3, soldiers stormed into South Korea’s National Assembly in armored vehicles and combat helicopters. Assembly staff desperately blocked their assault with fire extinguishers and barricades. South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol had just declared martial law to “ eliminate ‘anti-state’ forces .”

Search This Blog