Statement condemning Brutal Murder of Adivasi Priest in Jharkhand

National Council of Churches in India, Commissions on Dalits and Tribals/ Adivasis are deeply shocked at the heinous crime of brutal murder of an Adivasi Priest, Rev. Abraham Biswas Surin from Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chotanagpur (Jharkhand). His body was found lying in a drain under the Railway over bridge of Rourkela Railway Station by the CRPF in the morning hours of 6th May 2016. His body bore multiple injury marks including a deep gash on the throat. The GRP is investigating the matter. The killer/killers are not yet traced and identified.

Rev. Abraham Biswas Surin, S/O Late Mr. Mansidh Surin was born on 12.08.1955. He had his theological degree B.Th in Gossner Theological College, Ranchi and was ordained as a priest on 21.05.1978. He served as a priest in various congregations, parishes of GELC before being assigned the job of Manager KNH Hostesls.

The attacks of the Christian adivasis, many of whom have been Christians for generations, is increasing because of the divisive politics in the area being played out by the right-wing forces. The murder of Rev. Surin, a Lutheran minister in India's tribal dominated Jharkhand state shows that Christians are now becoming a target for attacks. Unless this attack and others are fully investigated and the perpetrators brought to justice, Adivasi Christians will only become more vulnerable and the community will come under further attack. A mass protest procession in Khunti town in Jharkhand has been organised on 11thMay 2016 demanding expeditious investigation and bringing the culprits to book.

We condemn the atrocities against the tribals/adivasis and urge the state Government to render justice to the victim’s family and demand the Central Government to ensure safety and security to Christians and take all measures to stop all discriminatory practices against Adivasis.

Pradip Bansrior Executive Secretary Dalit and Tribal/ Adivasi Concerns National Council of Churches in India

Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad General Secretary National Council of Churches in India

Indian Churches’ Commitment to All Generations: Social Security and the Common Good

Press Note

April 28, 2016, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India.

The NCCI – Commission on Justice, Peace and Creation organised a National Consultation on Indian Churches’ Response to Social Security’ from 28 – 30 September 2015 by gaining inspiration from the Church of Sweden and with their accompaniment. The participants of the consultation suggested the formulation of  Social Security Policy Guidelines for the NCCI Member Churches to set a model for the Indian Churches, Church-based Institutions and Ecumenical Organisations.Considering the importance and the need, the said Commission of NCCI developed Social Security Policy Guidelines for the NCCI Member Churches. These guidelines were approved by the Working Committee (vide resolution # WC 2015:40) and adopted by the General Body for implementation (General Body Res. No. 07/GB/201).

The guidelines were printed for circulation, and were adopted and released at the XXVIII Quadrennial Assembly on  28^th April 2016 by the Rev. Dr. Mar Atsongchanger, President of NCCI. The first copies were received by Ms. Karin Bodin, Programme Officer and Ms. Hanna Eklund, Programme Officer for India (Designate) of the Church of Sweden and all the Office Bearers of NCCI. Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad introduced the process and the importance of the Policy Guidelines while Rev. Christopher Rajkumar facilitated the release event.

The General Secretary has appealed to all the NCCI Constituent bodies to receive the same in their respective councils and appropriate bodies for approval, adoption and implementation. Rev. Christopher Rajkumar, Executive Secretary of the Commission said, "the Commission would involve in working with NCCI members for official adoption and implementation and also joining working with other Civil Society Organisations and initiatives to work with the Governments and appropriate bodies to process the people-friendly Social Protection Policies and Programmes".

The full version of the Policy Guidelines on Social Security is available at NCCI website <www.nccindia.in>

NCCI Communications

Direct link to document: download the policy guidelines document
(http://www.nccindia.in/images/downloads/Policy Guidelines Social Security.pdf)

Statement condemning the Torture, Rape and Murder of a Dalit Woman Law Student in Kerala.

Jisha, a 30 year old Dalit Law student, was allegedly raped and found murdered on 28th April 2016 at her home in Perumbavoor of Ernakulam district in Kerela. According to the reports Jisha was tortured with a sharp weapon and her body bore more than 30 stab wounds, including a 13 cm one around her chest that reached  her liver, pointing to the brutal torture. She was also believed to have been brutally kicked in the stomach as her intestines were out. She was suffocated to death and also was beaten with a hard object on the back of her head.

In present day India Dalit women are placed at the absolute bottom of the social hierarchy as they face systemic and structural discrimination threefold: as Dalits, as poor, and as women. The victim’s family faced social alienation because they were poor and Dalit. They were not even allowed to draw water from their neighbours’ wells. The harsh reality of the suppression, struggle and torture Dalit women face every day of their miserable lives are a direct result of the severe exploitation and suppression by the upper classes.

National Council of Churches in India calls upon Churches and all religious institutions to condemn the atrocities against Dalits and to impress upon the government of the State demanding exemplary punishment for the culprits and rendering justice to the Jisha’s family.

Pradip Bansrior Executive Secretary Dalit and Tribal/ Adivasi Concerns National Council of Churches in India

Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad General Secretary National Council of Churches in India

A Christian Social Activist titled as'Jewel of India' and 'Mahila Rattan'

Dr. Sasiprabha Stanley a renowned Christian activist bagged two 'National Titles' recently in the fields of social work. 

The International Institute of Education and Management titled her as 'Jewel of India' and the Indian Solidarity Council  has titled her as 'Mahila Rattan' (Diamond Woman) recognising her 35 years of grass-roots holistic development engagements against Poverty,  Malnutrition, and Child Labour, and contribution to Adivasi and Dalit Women, Gender Justice, Girl Child Protection, Rural Child Development, Youth, Child Focused Community Development initiatives, Land, Water, Forest, and Eco-justice initiatives. She has also worked with Church and NGOs for empowerment and development of the marginalised communities.

Dr. Sasiprabha  was on several Government committees and Boards. She was the convener of the District level Non-governmental organizations federation and  served as a Wild Life Warden in Koraput District, Odisha. She also served as the Chairperson of the Women's Desk, Division of Social Action and Treasurer of the United Evangelical Lutheran Churches in India. She also served as a member of the Council of Gurukul Lutheran Theological College and Research Institute, and of the Board of Directors, Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR). Recognising her committed grass-roots activities among the Adivasi and Dalit Women and Children, the Academy of Ecumenical Indian Theology and Church Administration honoured her with Doctor of Divinity under 'honoris causa' in 2004. She was also on the Staff team in the Andhra Pradesh Council of Churches from 1980 -82.