NCCI greets nation on 64th Independence Day

The National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) greeted the country on its 64th Independence Day, calling for unity and greater efforts in condemning "perpetuation of depravity and all manifestations of violence."

The ecumenical body, representing over 13 million Christians from the Orthodox and Protestant traditions, urged the country's citizens to "stand up to all attempts to divide and discriminate people based on caste, religious and ideological orientations, ethnicity, language, literacy, or region."

Rev. Asir Ebenezer, Officiating General Secretary of the NCCI, in a statement said more contributions must be made to the process of opinion building, especially in the framing of new legislations and expressing opinions on existing laws.

The statement called to " join efforts of civil society organizations expressing solidarity through participation over issues of importance relating to Climate Justice, Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, Arms Trade Treaty, policy on mining, rights of the sexually discriminated communities, and people living with AIDS."

It appealed to "commit both in word and deed to the ideals of justice for all, elimination of caste system, equitable distribution of wealth, equity in gender orientation and practice, and campaign for responsibility of the state to those at a disadvantage."

India celebrates its Independence Day on August 15 to commemorate its freedom from British rule and its birth as a republic nation.

On the occasion, the Global Council of Indian Christians said it prays India will "cultivate a culture of peace, tolerance and harmony."

It hoped that justice would be brought to the persecuted in Kandhamal and also that Dalit Christians would be rendered equal status.