A nearly century-old Christian publication has questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s continuing silence on the “ethnic cleansing” in Manipur, contrasting it with his alacrity in discussing the Ukraine war with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Sathyadeepam, a 96-year-old Malayalam weekly published by the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church, has urged government intervention for peace in Manipur where at least 140 people have been killed and churches and homes torched.
“Why has the Prime Minister, who finds time to discuss the Ukraine war with the Russian President, not uttered a word about the war-like situation in a state in his own country even after months, is not a question emanating from hiscritics but all those who believe in democracy,” the church organ said in an editorial in its latest issue.
“While Modiji gets vocal in his Mann Ki Baat (monthly radio broadcast) even about grass that grows in forests, what is the justification for ignoring the sufferings in Manipur?”
The editorial highlightedhow “the Prime Minister, who visited the Northeast more than 30 times in nine years, is deliberately not visiting Manipur” despite nine weeks of violence between the Meitis and Kukis.
To underline the importance of such visits, the editorial referred to the positive impact made by Rahul Gandhi’s trip to Manipur.
“Rahul Gandhi’s visit provided hope and confidence. It should not be forgotten that his visit materialised after overcoming the impediments created by the police and workers of the party of the Prime Minister, who continues to be mum after months,” it said.
“Is it right to ignore the inequalities faced by minority Adivasi communities on the part of a Prime Minister who spoke with pride about the ‘Mother of Democracy’ during his visit to America?”
The publication flagged how a group of Manipuri lawmakers “who went to Delhi to try and find a solution still haven’t received permission to meet him (Modi)”.
It contended that the situation had “gone out of hand”, citing how “even weeks after (Union home minister) Amit Shah’s visit (from May 29 to June 1), the violence is unabated”.
The weekly said the Manipur violence was “a setback for the BJP’s efforts to give a Hindutva face to all the tribal communities as against their cultural diversity”.
In this context, it added: “The Uniform Civil Code has now become a controversy over its (the BJP’s) attempts for cultural unification.Any attempt at (forcing) uniformity against diversity is both anti-democratic and anti-people.”
The editorial issued a public appeal: “People who have faith in democracy should resist all attempts by fascist organisations to knead communal filth to help the lotus bloom across the country. If not now, then when? Because, (the) Manipur (violence) is deliberate, don’t forget that.”
It castigated even the Church leadership for what it saw as their inadequate reaction.
“It is true that the Church leadership initially ignored the Manipur violence. It is sad that, apart from making statements, they are even now not ready to visit the trouble-torn area, provide relief, or bring the matter to the attention of the President,” it said.
“There has not even been an attempt to hold a press conference in Delhi to arouse the nation’s conscience. The Church leadership should at least now take the ethnic cleansing in a state like Manipur, where Christians are a strong community, as a warning.”
The Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council held a meeting in Ernakulam on Wednesday to express solidarity with the people of Manipur.
Late last month, Archbishop Mar Joseph Pamplany of the Archdiocese of Thalassery had, despite his pro-BJP image, questioned Modi’s silence on the Manipur unrest.