NBCC says it will observe the cleanliness drive on a different date
DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 26 (MExN): Voices of opposition against the call for nationwide cleanliness drive made by the Prime Minster Narendra Modi on a Sunday (October 1), a day of worship for Christians, continue to pour in from different organizations.
The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC), while appreciating Prime Minister Narendra Modi for coming up with a nationwide cleanliness drive and a creative way to unite the country, however, has politely turned down the call since October 1 is a Sunday, a day of worship for the Christians. For Christians, Sunday is not just a holiday, it is not only ceasing from work but it is a day of worship, it stated.
While acknowledging the good initiative, the NBCC said it has given directive to its constituent churches to observe the day either on Saturday or on Monday. “As we do so, the NBCC would like to put on record that any good initiative must take the diverse religious communities into consideration. This will drive the animosity and hatred, insecurity and fear, threat and intimidation and unify the big nation,” it stated.
This is important in a country like India because we are not just culturally diverse nation but more importantly diverse in our faith and beliefs, the NBCC pointed out adding, “Our sacred days, our worship and our festivals are different. Respecting the sentiments of each other and knowing how to deal with the diversities which exist is, “wisdom.”
Reiterating that the church is neither against sanitation day nor anything with good intention to unify the nation, the NBCC said since October 1 falls on a day of worship for Christians, it will sacrifice another day to “show our cooperation and solidarity to the nation.”
The NSCN (IM) said for any such nationwide drive for cleanliness, the sentiment attached with the spirit of secularism must be rightfully respected. Terming the call for cleanliness drive on a Sunday as playing into the nerves of the Naga people’s religious ethos, the NSCN (IM) said Nagas as Christians cannot simply abide by the call of the Prime Minister no matter how noble the cleanliness drive is.
It therefore said the Naga people will stand as one Christian family to resist such cleanliness initiative that defies the mutual respect for different faiths that reflects the secular character of India. The NSCN (IM) also appreciated the the bold step taken by Chakhesang Baptist Church Council (CBCC) that “We must obey God rather human beings.”
The Naga Students' Federation (NSF) said the Prime Minister Modi's call for a collective cleanliness drive, under the banner "Ek Tareekh Ek Ghanta Ek Saath," on Sunday, October 1, has raised concerns among Christians in India and beyond.
This call for a nationwide event on a Sunday is deeply insensitive to the religious sentiments of the Christian community and out rightly detrimental to the very essence of secularism, the NSF said in a press statement.
While acknowledging and appreciating the Government of India's initiatives for the betterment of society, including cleanliness drives, the NSF said it firmly believes in the importance of unity and mutual respect among citizens of all faiths, maintaining the fabric of secularism in the Indian sub-continent.
We acknowledge cleanliness as an ideal that everyone should advocate, regardless of one's religious beliefs. However, we express our dismay over what we perceive as a communal attitude of the Centre, which appears to target Christian faith and other minority communities intentionally, the Federation stated.
Towards this, the NSF called upon all church associations and local churches across the Naga homeland to boycott this proposed social work.
Furthermore, it appealed the frontal organizations and Christian leaders in general to stand together in defense of Christian faith. “We emphasize that adherence to religious beliefs should not be compromised, and calls for a resolution that respects the religious convictions of all citizens and fosters peace in the Indian sub-continent,’ it added.
The Nagaland Theological Colleges Association (NTCA), representing the theological colleges in Nagaland, said by scheduling this national event on a Sunday, it inadvertently clashes with the holy day for millions of Christians across the country.
Stressing on the importance of respecting religious diversity in India, the NTCA called for a reconsideration of the date for the mega cleanliness drive to ensure that it does not disrupt the religious observances of any community.
