Activists and representatives of the Christian community expressed their concerns at a press conference, highlighting what they perceive as an irony in the events of the year. They noted that 2023 began with the burning of churches and violence against Christians in Manipur, particularly in the Imphal valley. The Christian community had reportedly pleaded with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Manipur amid ethnic violence, but the PM delegated the matter to the Union home minister and the chief minister
The activists, including Apoorvanand, John Dayal, Shabnam Hashmi, Minakshi Singh, Mary Scaria, and A C Michael, pointed out that over 200 people have lost their lives, and nearly 60,000 have been displaced due to ethnic clashes between the majority Meitei community and the tribal Kukis, the majority of whom are Christians.
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In their statement, the activists highlighted the paradox of ending the year with religious leaders felicitating the prime minister for his contributions to the welfare of the Christian community, despite the earlier pleas and the ongoing challenges faced by the community in Manipur, where thousands of Kuki-Zo people are said to be living in harsh conditions in refugee camps.
The activists expanded their concerns beyond Manipur, citing instances in Uttar Pradesh where they claimed that pastors and individuals were being jailed under charges of illegal conversions for innocuous activities such as celebrating birthdays or conducting Sunday prayers. They alleged widespread persecution and hate towards the community from influential religious leaders.
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Additionally, the activists criticized the government's withdrawal of licenses under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act for numerous churches and their NGOs, framing it as a targeted measure against the Christian community. They emphasized that the prime minister has a duty to embrace the nation's religious minorities and involve their leaders in important events.
The activists concluded their statement by evoking the spirit of Christmas and recalling a time when Christmas carols were part of the Rashtrapati Bhavan Calendar. They urged not to forget the challenges faced by the Christian community due to government actions and alleged political elements showing disregard for the Constitution and its guarantees of freedoms to citizens.
Despite the earlier concerns raised, Prime Minister Modi met with members of the Christian community on Christmas Day, praising their role in shaping society and expressing gratitude for their service.
