Sangma: Christians must address the violence as followers of Christ

P A Sangma, former Lok Sabha speaker and co–founder of the Nationalist Congress Party urged Christians in India to address the violence on its community as citizens of this "great country" and as followers of Christ.

At the inaugural session of a national seminar titled "Christianity: National Integration", organised by Synod College on Tuesday, Sangma said: "As a faith, Christianity has been under relentless provocations in recent times and it is important that we address these concerns at two dimensions — as followers of Christ as well as citizens of this amazing nation, India."

Noting that Christian population in the country is just 2.5 per cent, Sangma questioned, "why should this be a cause of worry for our antagonists".

Strongly denying allegations of forceful conversions, Sangma who was also former Chief Minister of Meghalaya said: “Conversion is a matter of one’s personal conviction which one exercises as a responsible citizen and should be practised on the foundation of secularism and freedom of religion as enshrined in the Constitution of India.”

Sangma described Christianity as “highly accommodative” faith and said it had considered the local needs of such a diverse nation that has led to Indianisation of Christianity.