ISLAMABAD: Ex-Mayor of Rugby Dr. James Shera has expressed deep sorrow over the incident that took place in Chhattisgarh, India earlier this month in India where hundreds of Christians were dispersed and were told either to recant the area or their faith.
Innocent victims were forced to follow the tribal culture or ready to face violence. The information about vandalising the homes of peaceful community spread across the country instantly, 300 religious leaders from different religions gathered to show solidarity in an event organised by the Commission for Ecumenism and Inter-religious Dialogue of the Archdiocese of Delhi; reportedly 1000 people displaced in nearly 33 villages across the region.
Dr. Shera said that Indian Government measures tackling the menace of discrimination against its minorities are insufficient; coercive acts preventing Christians worshiping within their homes, refraining pastors to visit their congregations are against the freedom of religious and belief.
“Solving issues for minorities should be a series of mutual and a continuous working relationship between communities instead of initiating orders after violation and attacks on marginalised people and communities,” Dr Shera said and added that the Indian President Madam Droupadi Murmu herself belongs to a tribal community and she understands the scale and the gravity of deprived communities than many others.
“Inarguably, the onus to tackle and materialising opportunities to serve communities is on the leadership of the country,” he added.
This statement is being endorsed by the UK Pakistani Christian leaders including Councilor Morris Johns, Dr. Peter David, Dr Kamran Naseem Khan, Mr. John Bosco, Rt. Rev Dr Bishop Nadeem Bhinder, Mr. Imran Joseph, Advocate Qamar Shams, Mr. Michael Massey, Mr. Javed Inayiat, Mr. Samson Javed, Dr. Isaac and Mr. Tahier Solomon.
