By Matters India reporter
Thrissur, June 15, 2023: A group of lay and religious leaders under the leadership of Divine Retreat Centre director held a day-long protest fast in solidarity with the victims of continued violence in Manipur.
Several Vincentian priests of Divine Retreat Centre and many lay leaders lined up on June 12 under the leadership of Father George Panackal at EMS Square, Thrissur, Kerala’s cultural capital.
“We are standing united in solidarity with the Christians of Manipur and want to be the voice of the suffering people there,” Father Panackal said.
Leaders of different denominations, community leaders of other faiths and political affiliations attended in program.
Provincial of Vincentian St. Joseph Province Father Mathew Kakkattupillil stressed the need to stand with the Christians of Manipur with prayers to stop what he called mindless violence in the northeastern Indian state and restoration of peace there.
Father Panackal regretted the silence of the Indian government and urged it to respond to the cry of Manipur.
The protest fast ended with a prayer at 4 pm and breaking of the fast by giving lemon juice to Father Panackal by the Vincentian provincial.
Ethnic conflict in Manipur, between predominantly Hindu Meitei community and tribal Christians, has claimed more than 100 lives and damaged hundreds of houses in 142 villages. As many as 400 churches, and 83 church institutions were also torched.
Currently, more than 40,000 people from different communities are being sheltered in 272 relief camps, including community halls, in 13 districts of Manipur.
Working to bring about an union of hearts and minds among fellow pilgrims is a beautiful project. Ahimsa and Satyagraha supported by prayer and fasting were dear to Mahatma Gandhi and his disciples. An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth would only increase disabilities was often said by MKG.