Things can go so cheap ....Politically ..... But is it in the spirit of 'Christmas Day' ?? ::::::: Over 3,200 Christians endorse statement dissociating from recent lunch hosted by PM Modi

 Over 3,200 Christians endorse statement dissociating from recent lunch hosted by PM Modi 

One can always ask what about other Christians!! If you have not been to a party....there was no question of feeling being 'associated' with such a show !! Not surprisingly the game is on with the political patronage of a Modi-hating party called the Trinamool Congress.  

TMC MP and vocal critic of the Prime Minister Modi, Derek O’Brien, is one of the signatories those who have endorsed a statement dissociating from a lunch hosted for the community representatives by a PM in office on December 25, the Christmas Day.

Of course they sought to flag off the so-called growing attacks and vilification from “members of the ruling regime” and the situation in Manipur. But does a statement go well with the occasion of Christmas and the spirit of teachings of the Prince of Peace?

"...in the recent past, particularly since 2014, the Christians in India have been victims of continued attacks and vilification from members of the ruling regime all over the country,” the statement said.  

“The Christians and Christian schools and institutions have been hounded and harassed, their places of worship destroyed, they have been denied their ordinary rights as citizens and been subject to denigration and demonization,” it said. 

"The anti-conversion laws which have been put into place in BJP-ruled states are used as weapons against the fundamental right to preach, practise and propagate one’s religion”.  

“Celebrations in schools have been stopped and Christians have been arrested without any warrant and put behind bars for no offence of theirs,” it added.  

The statement talks about the situation  in Manipur, where tension is continuing dominantly Hindu Meitei and dominantly Christian Kuki communities since May 3, 2023.

“The Christians of Manipur have been subject to constant attacks which still continue unabated and with apparent approval from the BJP Governments both in the State and at the Centre,” it said.

The statement further mentioned “in the wake of all this, it is ironic that the prime minister hosted around 100 Christian representatives of different denominations on Christmas morning for a celebration”.

“While it is certainly within his right as Prime Minister to host a reception for whomsoever he wishes one naturally would question the intention of this reception when he has not condemned a single attack on the Christians, under his Prime Ministership,” it said.  

“Those invited to the Christmas reception were a select group of Christians. While the invitation was from the Prime Minister, here was an opportunity for them to courteously decline the invite in the light of what has been happening to the Christians in Manipur and elsewhere. Hence their acceptance of this invite was not in our name!” the statement said.  

“Today we the Christians of India together with conscious and committed citizens pledge to protect and promote the Constitution, Country and Citizens of India and to work with and work for all those who are victims of an unjust, insincere and authoritarian regime,” it added.  The signatories to the statement also include retired IAS officer M.G. Devashayam and retired IPS officer John Shilsi.

A BJP poll office near a Church: Kohima 

The civil society activists Apoorvanand, John Dayal, Shabnam Hashmi, Minakshi Singh, Mary Scaria and AC Michael had at a press conference last week said it is an irony that the year, which saw churches being burnt in Manipur in May ends with Prime Minister Modi felicitating leaders of the minority community.  

And some of them are well known members of Modi-bashing club !!

The Prime Minister met members of the Christian community at his residence in Delhi on Christmas and heaped praise on the community for its role in giving direction to the society and sense of service. 

ends