By Matters India Reporter
Shillong, Nov 21, 2019: The United Christian Forum of Northeast India has called for optimism and serious efforts to build cordial relations among all communities in the region and the country.
The ecumenical forum that met on November 20 at its headquarters in Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya state, also stressed intelligent and helpful criticism at all levels of society to build a healthy nation.
The meeting addressed the latest trends in the country, especially the economic slowdown, that seem to threaten the country’s common future. “Though there was no sense of alarm in the assembly, there was a tone of caution in the entire discussions,” said Allen Brooks, the spokesperson of the forum.
Forum president Bishop Thomas Pulloppilil of Bongaigaon welcomed the participants representing the seven states that form northeastern India. He commended their “great eagerness” to learn of the latest developments in the country and make their own evaluation of the situation.
Retired Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil of Guwahati, initiating the discussion, called for keeping all doors open for dialogue. He pointed out that in a democracy, all citizens fully cooperate with the elected government and readily offer suggestions for the betterment of society.
However, he insisted that as responsible citizens “we have a right and a duty to offer well thought out criticisms to the Government of their policies and their governance and styles. If we fail to do so we are letting down our nation.”
He also noted that “the best talents” in India who have independently analyzed the economic slowdown in the country find it an alarming trend. They noted that too much waste unproductive programs are being encouraged to promote ideological goals
Brooks argued that the Christian principle demanded working towards a just society. Anything that appears like discrimination or exploitation is to be carefully avoided. He called for certain caution in the present situation.
Roger Gaikwad of the Church of North India stressed the importance of attending to the grievances of Dalits and tribals who are now increasingly marginalized.
During the meeting, many anxieties emerged such as the proposed Citizenship Amendment Bill in Parliament and the Education Bill.
The participants noted “a great apprehension” in various circles in the region on whether the Article 371 of the Constitution will be respected. If constitutional provisions are not respected, will assurances from a federal minister mean anything, they asked.
The meeting also expressed “deep disappointment” over people elected by the public change their political parties. “It is a clear case of unfairness to the voters who elected them,” they said and stressed the need to awaken the moral conscience in the Indian political world.
Some participants quoted academicians in the region to observe polarization in society as a cause for the economic slowdown. Added to his are the lavish celebration of fairs, expenditures on cow welfare, and subsidizing of religious figures. They noted psychological distances growing between communities that made economic transactions more difficult.
Reverend Ramengliana, the forum secretary, said they would follow up the proposals that emerged in the meeting safeguard the interests of the Christian community and promote the larger good of society.