By Thomas Scaria
Bangalore, July 16, 2023: Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore has urged Christian of all denominations to stand united in solidarity with the people of Manipur and press for justice.
Addressing a united Christian rally in Bengaluru, capital of Karnataka state July 15, the archbishop insisted that every problem has a solution, and peace can return to Manipur.
The rally, organized by the AII-Karnataka United Forum for Christian Human Rights, was attended by the representatives of all denominations.
Besides Catholics from both Latin and oriental churches, Church of South India, Baptist Church, Seventh day Adventists, Assemblies of God and the federation of Christian churches participated in the rally along with hundreds of Manipur Christians who were rehabilitated by the Archdiocese of Bangalore.
Archbishop Machado clarified that the Bangalore event was not a protest march, but a “solidarity rally to express our support to the people of Manipur.”
He said the archdiocese has taken the initiative to do “whatever possible” to accommodate and educate the youths and students from Manipur who have sought refuge with the archdiocese. “We are providing free education, accommodation and food to the students and provide employment to the adults,” he pointed out
Margaret Alva, a senior member of the Congress party, questioned the failure of the federal government, with all its machineries, to bring a solution and peace to a state even after 75 days.
Ethnic violence in Manipur began May 3 after a solidarity march organized by tribal groups in the northeastern Indian state.
Alva alleged that the violence was nothing but an ethnic cleansing drive with the support of the government, both at state and also at center. She wondered why the president’s rule is not enforced in Manipur even after the federal home minister made two futile visits to the state. Even Indian army says they are helpless in Manipur, she added.
She also questioned the ongoing silence of the Prime Minister on this crisis. “Is Manipur not part of this country?” she asked. She said when Manipur was burning, the prime minister toured the world.
The memorandum sought immediate intervention from the government to bring permanent solutions to the problems in Manipur and stop ethnic violence.
The ethnic violence has so far killed more than 200 civilians, wounded 300 people and displaced 60,000 people. Mobs have also torched 249 churches.
The memorandum urged the governor to use his position to facilitate urgent actions that will address the root causes of the conflict and restore peace to Manipur.
“By ensuring the participation of all stakeholders and implementing comprehensive measures for compensation, disarmament, and reconstruction, we can work towards healing the wounds inflicted upon this resilient state,” it added.
The phrase “By ensuring the participation of all stakeholders and implementing comprehensive measures for compensation” should be clearly spelled out. Who are “all the stakeholders” and what is “comprehensive measures for compensation” in financial terms?