DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 18 (MExN): While observing Minority Rights Day, a day celebrated in order to promote and preserve the rights of people belonging to minority communities in India, the North East Catholic Research Forum (NECARF), has expressed deep concern about recent developments in the country, and in the North East India region, where Christians have been “falsely implicated with forceful conversion, through inducement.”
A press release from the Forum said it is also disturbed by several incidents of attacks wherein people belonging to minority groups have been consistently targeted by certain groups and organizations. “As responsible citizens of this country, who take pride in India’s colourful diversity, having faith in justice, equality, rights and duties guaranteed by the Constitution of India, it pains us to note that certain organizations in our country are pushing towards unity through similarity, rather than through diversity,” it stated.
The North East Catholic Research Forum also took note of recent developments in the region with concern. It said that on November 20, 2022, the North East Christian Forum “initiated by some politicians was formed, without the informed knowledge of the long standing apex United Christian Forum of North East India (UCFNEI).”
“UCFNEI is a Christian platform of the entire Northeast region, with representatives organically formed and structured from the village and upwards from all Christian denominations. It appears to be an attempt to undermine Christian unity in the region,” it stated.
The forum added that “allegations of forceful conversions are also doing the rounds, showing low percentage of Hindus in some Christian dominated states as the narrative, without appreciating that Christian populations in these states grew from within their own fold, and not otherwise.” It urged all Christians in the region to “guard against any attempt to break Christian solidarity and unity with a clear objective of dividing.”
