Nagaland: Prez ‘Messenger of Peace’ remark masks ground realities, says NTC

Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) has stated that while it welcomes and appreciates the speech of the President of India delivered on the eve of the 77th Republic Day, describing India as “the Messenger of Peace in this conflict-ridden world”, the council said it found the claim ironic in the context of the situation faced by minority communities within the country.
In a statement, NTC president C. Pankathung Lotha, however, said it found the slogan “amusing” when such slogan meant for the global audience is also applied in India.
NTC said that, in its view and understanding, the message conveyed did not reflect the ground realities faced by minority communities in the country, despite the Prime Minister’s regular participation in Christian celebrations such as Christmas as a gesture of solidarity.
The council alleged that Hindutva organisations such as Bajrang Dal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and RSS have made life “miserable, unlivable and horrible” for minorities through attacks on Muslims, harassment, killings and destruction of places of worship in the name of religion and beef consumption.
It further alleged that Christian leaders, pastors, nuns and churches have faced vandalism, attacks and discrimination.
The council also said that Dalits, Adivasis and lower-caste Hindus were denied justice and rights. NTC stated that the Constitution of India guarantees freedom of conscience, religion, language, culture and tradition to all citizens, whether majority or minority. NTC termed it “ironic and paradoxical” to describe India as a messenger of peace without ensuring justice for minorities.
The council appealed to the present political dispensation to extend justice, equality and full freedom to minority communities in order to uphold the democratic, secular and inclusive character of the country.