The top leadership of the Catholic Church in India met Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Friday and complained about the “growing attacks” on Christians while urging him to “intervene earnestly” to restore peace in Manipur.

A letter they gave Modi said: “On behalf of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), we extend our heartiest congratulations to you on the historic occasion of your assuming office as the Prime Minister of India for the third consecutive term. We assure you of our prayerful support as you continue to lead our nation with your charisma and vision in accordance with the Constitution of India.”

They added: “However, it is with a heavy heart that we express our anguish over the growing attacks on Christians and their institutions by antisocial elements in different parts of India. There have been several instances of harassment and attacks under false allegations of forced conversions and the misuse of the anti-conversion laws. We wish to clarify that the Church firmly opposes forced conversions.

“We would like to bring to your attention that poor, Dalit, and tribal Christians often face discrimination and exclusion. We appeal to you to extend reservation benefits to Dalit Christians, similar to those enjoyed by Dalits in other religious groups so that there is no discrimination based on religion which is guaranteed in our Constitution. In addition, we also appeal to you that the reservations provided to tribal Christians should be preserved intact and not withdrawn.”

The letter underlined the absence of Christians from the National Commission for Minorities and the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions.

It said: “Furthermore, we would like to inform you that many Christian NGOs are facing undue challenges during the renewal of their FCRA registration (which allows them to receive foreign donations)…. Finally, in solidarity with the people of Manipur we urge you to intervene earnestly to bring peace and harmony in that state.”

Continuing strife since May 3 last year between the mainly Hindu Meiteis and mostly Christian Kuki-Zo tribes has killed more than 220 people and displaced over 67,000 in Manipur.

The letter was signed by the CBCI president and Archbishop of Trichur, Andrews Thazhath; the CBCI vice-president and Bathery Bishop, Joseph Mar Thomas; and the CBCI secretary-general and Delhi Archbishop, Anil Couto. They were all part of the delegation that met Modi at his residence.

Thazhath clarified that they did not go into specifics such as Rajasthan’s recent anti-conversion law.

Asked how the Prime Minister had responded, he replied: “Our anxieties were heard in a way that he expressed solidarity but he said every time (that) some fringe groups or somebody else is doing it. (That) it’s not the political party or government.”

Thazhath added that Modi did not give clear answers on the demands of Dalit Christians (for reservation), or the campaign to deny Scheduled Tribe status to Christians.

He added: “(On Manipur) the PM repeated that the government is determined to bring peace and harmony…. He said it is more a matter of ethnic violence (rather than inter-religious violence).”

The CBCI leaders urged the Prime Minister to speed up the Pope’s visit to India, and added that they would approach the pontiff as well.

Modi had met the Pope during the G7 summit in Italy last month and invited him to India.