New Delhi: Several of Meghalaya’s leading Christian organisations have expressed concern over the “ increasing targeting of the Christian community in rhe country”, also lamenting the Prime Minister’s silence on the issue, reported The Telegraph,

These concerns raised by Christian outfits come following the recent vandalising of a church in the Narayanpur district of Chhattisgarh as also the December 16 letter issued by the Assam Police’s to districts in the state to obtain data on the number of churches and religious conversion, among others.

The Shillong-based Khasi Jaintia Christian Leaders Forum (KJCLF) in a statement said, “The deafening silence of the Prime Minister on atrocities against Christians over a long period of time in different parts of the country is significantly notable.”

The Forum, specifically flagged the recent attack on a church inside Vishwa Dipti Christian School premises on Monday, January 2, in Narayanpur of Chhattisgarh. Several, including the superintendent of police of Narayanpur district, sustained injuries from the attackers.  Five people, including a local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, were arrested on Tuesday, January 3. The Congress party is in power in Chhattisgarh.

The Narayanpur incident is but the latest in a series of attacks on the Christian community over alleged conversion in Chhattisgarh.

Besides, the Catholic Association of Shillong raised concerns over the recent, controversial letter by the Assam police, describing it as “very alarming in nature, particularly towards Christian minorities in the state (Assam)”.

The recent disturbing developments targeting the Christian community in the country have drawn reactions from Meghalaya, which is a Christian-majority state. They have also brought about an unease in the National People’s Party-led coalition government of which the Bharatiya Janata Party is a constituent party.

Meghalaya’s overwhelming Christian majority is dominated by Catholics and followed by Baptists, Presbyterians, and of other denominations.

The Forum’s secretary Rev. Dr. Edwin H. Kharkongor said that the Forum had hoped that those in the seat of authority would have “strongly disapproved” of the adverse actions perpetrated by certain organisations against Christians and people who exercise their individual choice of faith and religion.

Extending its solidarity to the Christian community across India which “continues to experience aggression and injustice”, the Forum exhorted the authorities in the states and Union government to “protect the lives and properties of Christians and other minority groups” all over the country and to rein in the perpetrators of violence and hatred.

The Catholic Association of Shillong, for its part, urged the Union home ministry under Amit Shah to ensure exercises “targeting Christian minorities are stopped once and for all” while seeking “steps to enhance the space of communal harmony”.

On the recent letter issued by the Assam Police, the Catholic association said, “The details sought with regard to community, area and pattern of conversation surely befit the term prejudice towards some particular communities, regions and cultural receptivity of such community.”

The Catholic association statement also said “the seven particulars sought by the department specifically targeting Christians in the state… are nothing short of attempts to intimidate and threaten the community at large”.

“Further, we appeal upon the Government of Assam, particularly the chief minister of Assam, Shri. Himanta Biswa Sarma, to kindly reverse such an order with immediate effect and ensure that Christians in the state are shown the leaf of hope and confidence…,” the Catholic Association said. Whether such an “appeal” will work against a politician known for his publicly expressed controversial views, remains to be seen.

Earlier, in defending his government, Sarma had asserted that the letter in question had “ nothing to do with his government “I would like to clarify the position of the government of  Assam: we don’t want to have any survey on any church or, for that matter, on any other religious institution…. In short, I completely dissociate myself from the letter. It was never discussed at any government forum.”

Related:

Bastar violence: Anti-Christian Campaign causes breach in Adivasi unity

False allegation of Conversion leads to the continuing Abuse against Christians

Forcible Conversions in Narayanpur and Kondagaon districts in Chhattisgarh – Part III