In pursuance to the call of Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC), Jakhama Baptist Church (JBC) organised a prayer programme for the upcoming state general election and the persecuted Christians in India on Sunday.
An update from the church informed that its deacon and church board chairman, Ketholeho Kulnu, highlighted on the value of vote, clean election and to follow Christian principles while exercising one’s vote as a Christian, while the church’s active member, Kezhokhoto Savi, spoke on ‘the persecuted Christians in India.
Savi shared on the topic “Constitutional provision with special reference to Christians” which was presented during the NBCC 21st Triennial Convention held in Impur, Mokokchung, from February 2 to the 4th in 2018. He has highlighted the provision of the Indian Constitution which safeguards the freedom of conscience and the right to profess, practice and propagate the religion of one’s choice.
He mentioned several incidents which violated the fundamental rights of the citizens on the ground of religion. He also highlighted the persecution and violence against Christians in one year during the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government under the leadership of the Prime Minister, Narendra Damodardas Modi, from May 26, 2014.
Savi pointed out that violence peaked between August and October 2014 with 56 cases besides 25 cases during the Christmas season including the burning of the Catholic Church of St. Sebastian in Dilshad Garden in the national capital and added that violence continued well into the New Year 2015 with more Catholic churches in the city targeted as incidents continue in other states.
While highlighting the Freedom of Religion Act or anti-conversion laws in India, he expressed remorse that Christians were attacked intentionally by several BJP-ruled states which have passed those laws. He stated that incidents of persecution against Christians in the forms of destruction to churches, confiscation of Bible and other literature have increased in India where anti-conversion laws were passed.
On the occasion, Savi also informed that more than 40 churches and several Christian organisations have organised a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Sunday to ‘stop targeted hate and violence against Christians.’
Meanwhile, Savi has appreciated the Dimapur Areas Ao Baptist Pastors Fellowship, ABAM and NBCC for openly expressing concern and resentment over the usage of sacred and spiritual phrases/ slogans during election campaigns. He has also condemned the writing of one Jagdamba Mall, which was widely published in local papers recently threatening the Nagas to remember that the ‘BJP government in Delhi does not want to go in Kashmir way in Nagaland to avoid unpleasant incidents.’
On seeing the situation in neighbouring state Assam where several churches were destroyed under the BJP chief minister, Savi stated that the lives of Christians in Christian states including Nagaland are not secure at all. He also mentioned about Janajati Dharma Sanskritti Suraksha Manch (JDSSM) demands for removal of Christians from ST list as well as the proposal to stage demonstration by over 1 lakh JDSSM members at Janata Bhavan under “Challo Dispur” programme demanding both the central and the state governments to amend Article 342A of the Constitution.