By Jose Kavi

New Delhi, Feb 26, 2020: The National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) on February 26 condemned the “dastardly attack on the vulnerable and the weak” in different parts of the national capital in the past four days.

“Humanity has been knocked down one more time. Our houses burnt. Our kindred killed. Our peace destroyed, and future betrayed. We have not learnt from our past. In what happened in parts of New Delhi, our national capital, we have been brought down to ashes once again,” bemoans a statement issued by Reverend Asir Ebenezer, the council’s general secretary.

Tension continued to simmer in and around northeast Delhi for the fourth consecutive day as the death toll in the clashes around the Citizenship Amendment Act rose to 27. More than 180 people have been injured.

The NCCI press release noted that Many Christian denominations observed on February 26, Ash Wednesday, the first day in Lent, a 4-day period of prayers and penance.

“To them it is a day of beginning a season to revisit the past, make amends where necessary, and resolve to move on …an opportunity to rise from the ashes,” said the Nagpur-based national body of Protestant and Orthodox Churches and their institutions in the country.

The council also appeals to various Christian denominations to facilitate each other, and all others of different faith traditions and ideological persuasions in their neighborhoods, to rise from the ashes. “We will not be cowed down. We will rise,” the statement asserts.

Besides condemning violence, the Christian body regretted “the explicit or implicit complicity and tacit approval of those in power and authority, and the blame game to cover inaction and poor response to early warnings.”

It appealed to Churches and their organization to in the riot-affected areas to respond appropriately to those in need.

“We urge our constituents everywhere to stand in solidarity with victim communities in their locales and foster an atmosphere of peace and human security across the country. We will not be overcome. WE SHALL OVERCOME. On Ash Wednesday, we resolve to rise from the Ashes.”

The 106-year-old council also prayed for the deceased and wounded and for their families.

“The NCCI stays committed and available to the amelioration of the sufferings of the individuals, families and communities affected in the violence of the last few days in Delhi,” the press release concludes.