London – Ex-Mayorb Rugby ,Dr. James Shera expressed deep sorrow over the incident that took place in
Chhattisgarh earlier this month in India; 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, Indian Government measures tackling the manic 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 added, the honourable Indian President Madam Droupadi Murmu herself belongs to
a tribal community, 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.
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.
