Pre-election consultation held as churches concerned over polls

With the Assembly elections round the corner, a pre-election consultation was organised by the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) to take proactive steps for the betterment of the Christian community in the country.

The consultation from April 1-3 has been themed "Divisive Politics To Inclusive Democracy" and is organised in association with Christian Institute for the Study of Religion, Student Christian Movement of India and Interfaith Coalition for Peace

The Protestant leaders in fact were seemingly worried over the lack of support and depleting security of Christians, which has been ignored by the political parties, and their recent election manifestos that patently failed to address the needs of the minuscule community.

During the consultation, various measures were taken by the leaders for the safeguarding of the Christians whose demands will be declared in a minority manifesto that will be distributed to the churches as well as the press nationwide.

Emphasizing on the contributions of Christians in India, Bishop D K Sahu, General Secretary of NCCI, told Christian Today: "The Christian contribution to the Indian society in terms of education and service has been widely acknowledged and appreciated."

In the length and breadth of this country Christians took the initiative and founded schools and hospitals and through the newly educated generations brought about radical changes in the value system. The caring for the widows, the aged, the destitute, the orphans, the lepers, the blind, the differently able marginalized still continues."

However, the Christian leader rued that "there is a pattern of denial of justice and impunity, whether it is in marginalized groups such as Dalits, tribal groups and religious minorities. Kandhamal still remains strongly polarised and the fear of violence always lurking below the surface."

The 2009 Election starting from 17th April to 13th May, he said is a concern for the Christians as the two alliance governments the NDA and UPA coalition have terribly failed to deliver good governance. "The need is a larger vision, a sense of ownership, a sense of responsibility, particularly on the part of those who shall occupy positions of power and those who shall have resources at their disposal."

Since 1989 the trend of Coalition government which is the result of no single party succeeding in getting majority seats have hampered the holistic development of the nation. However, NCCI is of an opinion that "instead of criticizing the govt., we must come out, caste our votes seriously and rationally considering the pros and cons of our acts and omissions."

It has urged Christians to elect representatives who are competent, honest and are ready to work for the common man and progress of the nation.