By Matters India Reporter
Imphal, July 29, 2023: The elders of Vaishnavite community in Imphal have declared indefinite fast and prayer after taking moral responsibility for what they call the misdeeds of their immature youth.
The declaration came during the third visit of Archbishop Emeritus Thomas Menamparampil to the violence-torn northeastern Indian state.
The July 25-27 visit coincided with the convener of Interfaith Forum for Peace and Harmony of Manipur, Deben Sharma, announcing the indefinite fast and prayer in the name of his Vaishnavite Sanamahi community.
Sharma, one of the initiators of the Interfaith Forum for Peace along with several Vaishnavite community leaders, decided to atone for the wrong done against women during the recent conflict by undertaking the fast until the federal government take steps to stop the killings and destruction in Manipur.
Visiting the fasting team with the Dimapur Christian Forum at the Youth Club, Brahmapur, Archbishop Menamparampil expressed admiration saying, “Adults indeed have set an example of mutual respect and exchange of good will.”
“I hope this generous gesture on your part will generate a Sense of Responsibility in society as a whole to prevent tragedies like those that have taken place in Manipur recently”, the Catholic prelate told the Hindu leaders.
Insisting that “it is the responsibility of the government to ensure peace and stability in Manipur,” Archbishop Menamparampil said, “It is also our own collective responsibility to get over our negative feelings, and search for ways of respectful conversation, forgiveness and reconciliation.”
“May this ‘Sense of Collective Responsibility’ be awakened in the hearts of all concerned,” said the octogenarian prelate.
The decision of the Vaishnavite leaders’ decision has drawn much public attention. The number of visitors to the site are steadily increasing.