Expressing deep concern over persecution of Christians across the country, the Ao Baptist Church Association (ABAM) appealed to all to send out a strong message to the government that if there was no intervention to look into the issue, the people would “not support the party that does not bother about the Christians”, be it in state or national elections.
“If we were to restore our rights as citizens of India and freely exercise the freedom of religion as enshrined in the Constitution of India, let us not vote for any political party which discriminates Christians and destroy our citizens rights in the forth coming Nagaland Legislative Assembly election,” ABAM executive secretary stated in a press release.
ABAM noted that Nagaland, despite being a Christian dominated state, the practices of other religious faith had never been impeded nor compelled upon anyone to adopt Christian faith, saying “faith is based on one’s free will.”
It further went on to point out that Nagaland had always been a democratic state, making it a place for everyone to enjoy one’s own rights. “As a Christian state, the dream of the people is to make the land a land of peace and prosperity where all the citizens and visitors alike enjoy the harmonious environment,” ABAM stated.
ABAM said: “Christianity is all about love which overcomes all evil; it does not teach division, hatred, violence and anything that pertains to human discomfort which makes Nagaland a special and safest place to live in.”
Despite Nagaland being strictly accustomed with the ethnic traditions and cultures, ABAM said that the people faithfully adhered to the Constitution of India– where freedom of religion has been the beauty of the land.
India being secular and the second most populous country on earth, with Christian making up just 2.3%, ABAM however lamented that the “so called democracy seemed to be disappearing into oblivion in the country with the present plight and snubs that the minority was experiencing.”
ABAM was sceptical that if the government does not curb the rise in persecution against Christians and repudiate the present anti religious movements, the country may even face unprecedented egregious situation which may even lead to a civil war.
Recalling the past governments/leadership, ABAM said that the “so called minorities have had ample of privileges in all aspects of life making India the highest Democratic country.”
However, today, it said “in the name of the nation’s progress and unity; anything and everything that the majority feels and anticipates is normal whereas nothing is legal for the minorities.”
ABAM said minorities were at stake, as killings of Christians, burning of churches and abandoning of welfare to the Christians were all unnoticed by the government. It further cautioned that India may soon be on the verge of division if corrective measures were not taken.
ABAM said that though India may not have faced religious cliff-hanger in history, it however “does not justify peace, tranquillity, equality and unity in the country.”
“Unless there is respect for everyone in the country, we cannot be enlivened for any positive cause whatsoever,” ABAM asserted.
As citizens of India, ABAM said people were preoccupied by questions like “where is the good governance and leadership gone? Where is our yesterday? What ailed the leaders who are supposed to be the answer to these present imbroglios? Can anything good come in the country when a section of people is being jeopardized?”
“Alleviation of persecution is not the solution at this juncture, but obliteration of the ongoing anti religious acts in the country is the only solution for safe living,” ABAM stated.
Meanwhile, the church body has called upon all to look forward towards a productive future. “Let us support and choose God fearing leaders who understand the aspirations of the people and who can contribute selflessly towards providing a stable governance,” ABAM appealed.