Christian parliamentarians form strategy to counter attacks

Concerned over the growing attacks on the Christian community across India, 19 Christian MPs on Friday met here and chalked out a strategy to counter these attacks and project the community's immense contribution to the nation.

The parliamentarians also expressed concern about continuing attacks on minorities and hoped that the assurances given by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be honoured.

"The parliamentarians were of the view that the majority community is not communal but it is only a minuscule minority amongst the majority community which is so," a press communique stated.

Attention should be focussed on the work done by the Christian community that runs schools, colleges, hospitals, old age homes, and orphanages across the country and was deeply involved in the uplift of society as a whole, the statement said

The meeting also decided that a common agenda paper would be prepared and would be circulated amongst the larger Christian community with the aim of bringing all denominations under a single banner.

The meeting, which was held at Bishop's House was attended by several senior members including former Lok Sabha speaker P.A. Sangma of Meghalaya, Derek O'Brian from West Bengal, Jose K Mani of Kerela, former Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Oscar Fernandes, P.J. Kurian and Rabi Barnard amongst others.

The meeting was also attended by two of the four Indian Cardinals, namely Ivan Dias and Baselios Cleemis.

The MPs also decided to meet every quarter and the next meeting would be held in the first week of May.