ISLAMABAD: Ex-MayorbRugby Dr. James Shera expressed deep sorrow over incident that took place in Chhattisgarh earlier this month in India, hundreds of Christians were dispersed and were told either to recant area or their faith. Innocent victims were forced to follow tribal culture or ready to face violence. Information about vandalising homes of peaceful community spread across country instantly, 300 religious leaders from different religions gathered to show solidarity in an event organised by Commission for Ecumenism and Inter-religious Dialogue of Archdiocese of Delhi, reportedly 1,000 people displaced in nearly 33 villages across region.

Dr. Shera said Indian government measures tackling manic of discrimination against its minorities are insufficient, coercive acts preventing Christians worshiping within their homes, refraining pastors to visit their congregations are against freedom of religious and belief. Solving issues for minorities should be series of mutual and continuous working relationship between communities instead of initiating orders after violation and attacks on marginalised people and communities. Dr Shera added, honourable Indian President Madam Droupadi Murmu herself belongs to tribal community, she understands scale and gravity of deprived communities than many others, inarguably onus to tackle and materialising opportunities to serve communities is on leadership of country.

This statement is being endorsed by UK Pakistani Christian leaders including Councilor Morris Johns, Dr. Peter David, Dr Kamran Naseem Khan, John Bosco, Rt. Rev Dr Bishop Nadeem Bhinder, Imran Joseph, Advocate Qamar Shams, Michael Massey, Javed Inayiat, Samson Javed, Dr. Isaac and Tahier Solomon.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 28 2023

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