NCCI DALIT LIBERATION SUNDAY 2016

Respected Ecumenical Colleagues,

Warm greetings from National Council of Churches in India!

Dalit Liberation Sunday has become an important feature in the calendar of Indian Churches and Ecumenical movements. Over the years, there has been a positive response in sensitizing the local congregations towards concerns of Dalits, for no longer caste issue is visualized as a sociological issue or an issue outside the purview of church but more seen as an issue challenging the core of our faith and gospel.

The theme for this year's Dalit Liberation Sunday is “Administer Justice Daily! Deliver the Oppressed!” (Jeremiah 21:12). We take this opportunity to invite you to observe Dalit Liberation Sunday on 13th November 2016 in your church/local parish/institution in a creative way and rededicate your commitment to the Gospel by accompanying the unaccompanied. However, if you already have some programme on 13th November 2016, you may think of celebrating this Special day on a later Sunday i.e. on 20th November 2016. Herewith we are sending you hard copies of posters and a special order of worship for the day. You may take the freedom to use the entire worship order and translate it in your vernacular language or adapt parts of it.

We would appreciate if you send a brief report along with a few photographs of the observance to the undersigned. Let us join to observe Dalit Liberation Sunday on 13th November 2016.

Thanking you in anticipation. With regards,

In Christ,

Pradip Bansrior
Executive Secretary
Commission on Dalits and Tribals/ Adivasis
National Council of Churches in India

DOWNLOAD DALIT LIBERATION SUNDAY 2016 LITURGY HERE

NCCI DALIT LIBERATION SUNDAY 2016

Respected Ecumenical Colleagues,

Warm greetings from National Council of Churches in India!

Dalit Liberation Sunday has become an important feature in the calendar of Indian Churches and Ecumenical movements. Over the years, there has been a positive response in sensitizing the local congregations towards concerns of Dalits, for no longer caste issue is visualized as a sociological issue or an issue outside the purview of church but more seen as an issue challenging the core of our faith and gospel.

The theme for this year's Dalit Liberation Sunday is “Administer Justice Daily! Deliver the Oppressed!” (Jeremiah 21:12). We take this opportunity to invite you to observe Dalit Liberation Sunday on 13th November 2016 in your church/local parish/institution in a creative way and rededicate your commitment to the Gospel by accompanying the unaccompanied. However, if you already have some programme on 13th November 2016, you may think of celebrating this Special day on a later Sunday i.e. on 20th November 2016. Herewith we are sending you hard copies of posters and a special order of worship for the day. You may take the freedom to use the entire worship order and translate it in your vernacular language or adapt parts of it.

We would appreciate if you send a brief report along with a few photographs of the observance to the undersigned. Let us join to observe Dalit Liberation Sunday on 13th November 2016.

Thanking you in anticipation. With regards,

In Christ,

Pradip Bansrior
Executive Secretary
Commission on Dalits and Tribals/ Adivasis
National Council of Churches in India

DOWNLOAD DALIT LIBERATION SUNDAY 2016 LITURGY HERE

Observance of Black Day on August 10th, 2016

August 10th is observed every year as ‘Black Day’ by the member Churches of National Council of Churches in India, Theological institutions and Christian organisations across India demanding the deletion of the infamous Presidential Order 1950, Paragraph 3, which excludes Christian and Muslim Dalits from the Scheduled Caste list.

The foundation of state discrimination against Christian Dalits was laid in the 1930s when the then British India Government passed the “Scheduled Caste (SC) Act 1936”. This Act made only ‘Hindu’ Dalits eligible for protective discrimination (SC reservation) and deprived Dalits of other religious faiths, including Christian Dalits from it. In post independent India, the “Presidential Order (SC) 1950” was very similar to the Act of 1936, denying again protective discrimination for Dalit converts to Christianity. This clearly violates the principle of equality and religious freedom guaranteed in the Indian Constitution – Articles 14, 15 and 25. The argument of the Government very often has been that since Christianity is an egalitarian religion where caste has no place, the question of granting protective discrimination to Christian Dalits does not arise! This argument is not just simplistic but ill-motivated. It is a universally known truth, a fact even amply proved by several Central and State Government-appointed Commissions that the phenomenon of caste is so pervasive and wide spread that it has made deep inroads in all religious communities in the country, without exception. Subsequent to the Presidential Order of 1950, the Government of India brought in amendments and granted protective discrimination (SC reservation) to Sikh Dalits and Neo Buddhists, but the plea of Christian and Muslim Dalits has remained a cry in the wilderness until now. The Government of India appointed a National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities to investigate the demand of Christian and Muslim Dalits on 29 October, 2004. Ranganath Mishra, Head of Commission submitted the Commission Statement on 21 May, 2007. According to the Commission Report, paragraph 3 of the Constitution’s Order 1950 should be deleted from the Constitution in order to bring Equality and Justice for Christian and Muslim Dalits. However the Central Government kept silent when 12 state governments along with Union Territories and several political parties had endorsed the proposal to delete Paragraph 3 from the Constitution of India.

Interfaith Communities Dream a World Without Persons with Disabilities

Report of the Interfaith Round Table on Disability held on  25^th August 2016 at Tamilnadu Theological Seminary

The National Council of Churches in India - Indian Disability Ecumenical Accompaniment (NCCI – IDEA) and World Vision India joined the Tamilnadu Theological Seminary, Tamilnadu Christian Council, Engage Disability, Christian Service Agency, Church of South India – Diocese of Madurai–Ramnad and the Madurai Interfaith Initiative in organizing an ‘Interfaith Round Table on Disability’ on 25^th August 2016 at Tamilnadu Theological Seminary, Madurai on the theme “Faith Journey Together Towards Inclusive Communities’.  

70 faith practitioners from different faith backgrounds including clerics, lay leaders, students of theology, philosophy, secular studies, research scholars, theological and secular educators, social and development workers and representatives from different interfaith initiatives participated in this round table representing the major faiths including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Dalit, Folk and also Secular Ideologies.

The round table started with a  Buddhist prayer by monks. Rev. Dr. Kanagu Nelson welcomed the gathering. The Coordinators shared greetings from Rt. Rev. Dr. M Joseph, Bishop CSI Diocese of Madurai – Ramnad and Dr. Esther Kathiroli, Secretary Tamilnadu Christian Council. Rev. Dr. David Rajendran, Principal, Tamilnadu Theological Seminary, inaugurated the Round Table by joining different faith representatives in lighting the ‘kuthu vilakku’. Rev. R. Christopher Rajkumar (NCCI) and Dr. Christopher Baskaran (World Vision India) shared  greetings from NCCI and World Vision and introduced the round table.

Rev. Dr. David Rajendran, in his inaugural address informed the participants that the entire Christian world is getting ready to commemorate 500 years of Martin Luther’s Reformation in 2017. 500 years ago the ‘reformation movement’ questioned and countered the oppressive and discriminating faith practices of that time and the reformation helped the adherents to get away from oppressive components in their faith journey. He further called upon the faith communities to work towards reformation in contemporary times in order to promote and uphold  inclusive society through our spiritualties, faith expressions and religious practices, and to completely eliminate and eradicate  oppressive and discriminating practices in our societies by expanding the inclusive realm to all the religiously, socially, culturally and historically excluded communities including ‘People with Disabilities’ (PWDs). 

PRESS RELEASE: NCCI EXPRESSES GRAVE APPREHENSION OVER THE DRAFT OF THE NEW EDUCATIONAL POLICY.

PRESS RELEASE

The Executive Committee of the National Council of Churches in India, meeting in Chennai on August 13, 2016, has expressed grave concern over the new education policy drafted by the Government of India. 

The major points of concern are the following:

1. The preamble of the draft eulogizes the ancient patriarchal gurukul system, and praises the contributions of male hindu scholars of the past and of hindu leaders in modern India. Such a review smacks of ‘hindu reading’ of educational history and gives rise to the apprehension of introducing a deliberately purported hinduized educational system. Furthermore, the draft makes mention of male hindu scholars only thereby giving the impression of a male-dominated hinduized educational system.

2. The draft does not give any credit to the immense historic and continuing contribution of the Church to education in Indian society. The Church has been making a very valuable positive impact to school, college and professional education through its thousands of institutions in the country.

3. The policy lays emphasis on internationalization of education, which raises concerns of educational equity. It would lead to a class divide in society: the rich availing international education, and the poor left with a different standard of education. 

4. The policy also makes an implicit division in the quality and levels of education: the higher international standard education for the rich and the skill-oriented education for the poor. It thereby again reinforces a kind of caste and class hierarchy in education. 

5. While the government hardly invests 3% of GDP on education, the policy aspires to invest 6% of GDP on education. Way back in the 1990s, the government had committed to invest 6% of GDP on education, but failed to do so. In the present context the government should invest at least 8% of GDP, if not more. 

6. The draft with its emphasis on governance and administration through a hierarchy of offices at state division, district, block and schools gives rise to the fear of the imposition of a centralized system of education which takes away the freedom and dynamism of minority-run institutions and individual schools. 

7. The Government would also have to be sensitive to the pluralistic multicultural, multi-religious context of the country, before imposing any centralized system of education for it to be truly inclusive.

8. The draft also suggests reviewing of RTE 12 (1) clause. This issue has been settled in the Supreme Court after several litigations. Therefore the suggestion for reviewing RTE 12 (1) clause appears to be a ploy of the government to interfere in the life and administration of institutions run by religious minorities. Article 30 of the constitution upholds the rights of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions. 

The NCCI, with its emphasis on Just and Inclusive Communities, strongly urges the government to have a special consultation with minority educational Institutions on the draft national education policy.

-NCCI NEWS

NCCI EXPRESSES SERIOUS RESERVATIONS ABOUT THE INTENTION OF THE GOVERNMENT TO INTRODUCE THE LOKPAL ACT 2013.

The National Council of Churches in India, in its Executive Committee meeting in Chennai on August 13, 2016, has expressed serious reservations about the intention of the Government to introduce the Lokpal Act of 2013.

The Act designates directors of organisations receiving annually either Rs. One Crore or more from Government grants, or Rs. Ten Lakhs or more from foreign funding, as ‘Public Servants’. It therefore requires the directors to declare their assets and file annual returns giving particulars not only of themselves, but also of their spouses and dependent children.

The NCCI has the following serious concerns about this Act:

1. By designating directors of Church bodies and NGOs as public servants, the Government is extending its strictures to non-profit charitable ministries which is contrary to the original objectives of the Act that was primarily meant to hold Government servants to be accountable and responsible.

2. This Act could be used as a tool to interfere in the laudable services of religious bodies and organisations, particularly of minority communities. This would severely hamper the good work rendered in the service of the nation.

3. The compulsion and extent of declaring assets and filing returns is an invasion on the privacy of the persons serving as directors of noble religious bodies and organisations.

-NCCI NEWS

STATEMENT. NCCI STRONGLY CONDEMNS ATROCITIES AGAINST DALITS IN INDIA

PRESS RELEASE | STATEMENT

The National Council of Churches in India, meeting as a General Body in Chennai on August 12, 2016, strongly condemned  the growing atrocities against dalits in India:

National Council of Churches in India expresses its grave concern over the vehement hate campaigns and brutal attacks on Dalits in different parts of India. We condemn the perpetrators, cow vigilante groups and the right wing fundamentalists who take the law in their hands and torment the Dalits in our country. Serious cognizance must be taken of the hate campaigns manifesting in their most recent forms such as the activities of ‘Cow-killers’ and restrictions sought to be imposed on ‘Cow-meat-eaters’. This is an extreme form of modern-day practice of untouchability and discrimination.

We appeal to the Central and State Governments to ensure justice for Dalits without bias by maintaining the appropriate Law and Order to protect the vulnerable communities who are victimised in such hate campaigns.

We are informed by the media that, the perpetrators are booked under public nuisance charges instead of taking legal action under SC&ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. Therefore, we urge the state governments to apply the SC&ST Prevention of Atrocities Act rightfully against the perpetrators in order to safeguard the constitutional rights that affirm life ‘OF’ all and life ‘FOR’ all.

-  NCCI NEWS

NCCI EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER THE TROUBLED SITUATION IN KASHMIR.

The National Council of Churches in India, in its Executive Committee meeting in Chennai on August 13, 2016, has expressed deep concern over the disturbed situation in Kashmir.

It urges the central and state governments to facilitate peace in the region on the principles of justice and inclusivity. The NCCI also urges the Government to reconsider the continuance of the imposition of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Kashmir and North-East India. 

The NCCI calls upon all Churches, Regional Councils, All India Christian Organisations and Related Agencies to earnestly pray for justice and peace in Kashmir and all other troubled areas in the country.

- NCCI NEWS

NCCI CONDEMNS CONTINUING ATROCITIES ON CHRISTIAN MISSION WORKERS.

PRESS RELEASE

The National Council of Churches in India, in its Executive Committee meeting in Chennai on August 13, 2016, condemned incidents of physical attacks on Christian Mission workers in different parts of the country.

The NCCI is concerned about wanton actions taken by right wing fundamentalist forces on dedicated workers seeking to serve the society through their ministries of education, health care and life-transformation. So also the worship services conducted by them in houses of Christian families have been disrupted on the false allegation that they are converting people to the Christian faith. Such workers have been subject to much humiliation including being imprisoned on false charges.

This is indeed a violation of their basic constitutional rights of professing and practicing their religious faith. It is also a grave injustice to the selfless, loving service rendered by Christian Mission Workers to the society.

The NCCI calls upon Churches to be vigilant and to extend solidarity to all Christian workers who are engaged in responsible evangelism and mission. At the same time, the NCCI calls upon the central and state governments to ensure law and order in the society, and extend its protection to religious minorities and weaker sections of society.

- NCCI NEWS

Protest and Street Theatre Campaign in Nagpur against injustices to Dalits

In  recent times,  a series of atrocities on Dalit youths and women all over India have terrorized the entire nation. NCCI's Dalit Concerns Programme and Vidarbha Centre for Labour Concerns along with Bahujan Rangbhumi thought it best to to voice out the issue in the press and take it to the streets. A Press Conference was organised at the Tilak Patrakaar Bhavan on the 28^th   July 2016. Dalit leaders and activists at the conference including NCCI Secretary for Dalit concerns, Mr. Pradip Bansrior, and Mr. Rajesh Jadhav, Coordinator, Vidarbha Centre for Labour Concerns addressed the Press and condemned the atrocities against Dalits in Gujarat, Maharashtra, UP, MP and other parts of the country. The event was duly reported by local Marathi newspapers, as well as the English Daily, The Hitavada: 



The press conference was followed on 30th July 2016 by a protest Dharna and a street Theatre depicting the atrocities on Dalits and challenging the people to rise up to the occasion. 

In spite of the heavy rains, around 200 people participated in the protest at RBI [Samvidhaan] Square, Nagpur  at 11-00. am; they came from different walks of life, religious institutions, dalit organisations, like-minded organisations and NGOs, including men, women, and youth, to show their solidarity and to fight together against injustices faced by Dalits and all marginalised sections of our society in the country.

Many Activists, Theatre artists and NGO leaders like Dr. Yashwant Manohar (Social activist), Mr. Rajesh Jadhav (Vidarbha Centre for Labour Concerns- NCCI), Dr. Dhanraj Dahat ( Ambedkarite Sahittik), Mr. E.M. Narwane ( Ambedkarite Poet), Mr. Surendra wankhede (Writer and Director), Mr. Virendra Ganvir (President of Bahujan Rangbhumi), Mr. Khemraj Bhoyar (Activist), Mr. Amit Ganvir ( Theatre artist and Activist) as well as Mr. Pradip Bansrior (Executive Secretary, NCCI Dalit and Tribal/Adivasi Concerns) addressed the gathering and urged the people not to remain silent regarding the atrocities and injustices happening in our society. Youth from different organisations along with Ms. Ngalaton Ningsen- NCCI Intern on Tribal and Adivasi Concerns, also shared their concerns and demanded stern action against the cow vigilante groups all over the country.

National Council of Churches in India congratulates Mr. Bezwada Wilson

Mr. Bezwada Wilson
(Picture Source: Indian Express - http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/bezwada-wilson-ramon-magsaysay-award-a-safai-karmachari-who-sprouted-an-andolan/)

National Council of Churches in India congratulates Mr. Bezwada Wilson, 50 year old renowned campaigner for abolition of the dehumanising practice of manually cleaning human excreta and toilets, being honoured with the Ramon Magsaysay Award 2016 for "asserting the inalienable right to a life of human dignity."

Mr. Wilson is the National Convener of the Safai Karmachari Andolan and a member of Church of South India. A Dalit born into a family of manual scavengers in Karnataka, Wilson had seen his parents clean toilets as a boy. His first questions about the inhumane system of manual scavenging, and on why only Dalits were forced to carry night soil for dumping at designated spots cropped up when he was in fourth standard in school.Being a Dalit, Wilson was discriminated against, looked down upon as a child. He was treated as an outcast in school and acutely aware of his family's lot. Although he was spared the labour of manual scavenging and given a chance to pursue higher education, the profession followed by his family and caste haunted his identity as a teenager. The profession, though outlawed by the Indian Constitution in 1993, is still the primary occupation of over 180,000 Dalit families, according to the 2011 census data. 

Wilson channeled his anger against the inhumane system into a crusade to eradicate manual scavenging. His life and work has contributed in a big way to the  movement  for eradication of manual scavenging in society. Taking cognizance of Wilson's work in emancipation of manual scavengers, the Magsaysay Award has also flagged manual scavenging as a dehumanizing practice that must be eradicated. This award aims at detaching manual scavenging and sanitary work from Dalits, in the larger context of reforming the caste system, by pushing government agencies to replace manual scavenging with mechanization.

Pradip Bansrior

Executive Secretary

Dalit and Tribal/Adivasi Concerns

National Council of Churches in India

Rev. Dr. K. C. Abraham passes away

Rev. Dr. K. C. Abraham (Kuruvilla Cherukara Abraham), well-known leader, globally acclaimed as a brilliant theologian and educator, ecumenist and scholar, passed away on June 12, 2016 at around 8 p.m. in Bangalore. 

Rev. Dr. K. C. Abraham served well in many institutions. He served as Presbyter of St. Mark’s Cathedral (Bangalore), and later as Director of Ecumenical Christian Centre (ECC) before making his mark as a Theological Educator. He joined United Theological College Bangalore as Professor. Around this time he also served as Director of South Asia Theological Research Institute (SATHRI), Secretary of Board of Theological Education of Senate of Serampore College (BTESSC), and as President of Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians (EATWOT). Among his many ministry contributions, he also served at various times as: Visiting Professor, Emmanuel College of Toronto School of Theology, Toronto; Visiting Professor, San Francisco Theological Seminary, D.Min. Program; John A Mackay Chair in World Christianity, Princeton Theological Seminary; Editor, Asia Journal of Theology; Editor, Voices from the Third World; Editor, Bangalore Theological Forum; President, Christian Peace Conference, India Region; Member, Board of Directors of YMCA, Bangalore; Member, Congress of Asian Theologians; and Member, Interfaith Interaction - online discussion group. In 1996, he and his wife Molly Abraham started Liza's Home, a home for girls with mental and physical disabilities, that continues to serve a number of poor children.

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

NCCI Communications Pre-assembly (April 8 - 10, 2016 | CSI Synod, Chennai) - Program Report.

The National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) Communications pre-assembly entitled “Towards Just and Inclusive Communities: Communication for Life, Enablement and Growth”, organized by NCCI’s Commission on Communications and Relations, in partnership with Church of South India (CSI) Synod and Board of Theological Education of Senate of Serampore College (BTESSC), was held in CSI Synod, Chennai from April 8 to April 10, 2016.

There were 46 registered participants at this program representing many of NCCI member Churches and Organizations: Church of South India (CSI), Church of North India (CNI), Board of Theological Education of Senate of Serampore College (BTESSC), Marthoma Church, The Bible Society of India (BSI), The Salvation Army, Lott Carey Baptist Mission, India Peace Centre (IPC), India Evangelical Lutheran Church (IELC), Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches (STBC), Tamil Nadu Christian Council (TNCC), Hindustani Covenant Church (HCC), Christian Literature Society (CLS), Inter-Church Service Association (ICSA), Student Christian Movement of India (SCMI), Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church (GELC), Andhra Pradesh Council of Churches (APCC), Chattisgarh Council of Churches (CCC), Arcot Lutheran Church (ALC), National Missionary Society of India (NMSI), Kerala Council of Churches (KCC), NCCI – Urban Rural Mission (NCCI – URM). There were also members from other institutions: Gurukul Lutheran Theological College, Leonard Theological College, Anna University, Karnataka Christian Educational Society (KACES) and Madras Christian College.

Devotions on April 8th and 9th were prepared by Rev. Dr. Bavani Rajan (Pastor, Arcot Lutheran Church, Tambaram). His messages were inspiring Biblical reflections on various aspects of communications. His Praise & Worship team led the singing during the devotions.

At the inaugural session on April 8, 2016, on the dais were Adv. C. Robert Bruce (Hon. Treasurer, CSI), Rev. A. Suresh Kumar (Secretary, Trichy – Tanjore Diocese, CSI), Rev. Dr. Mohan Larbeer (Secretary, BTESSC), Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad (General Secretary, NCCI), Rev. Sunil Raj Philip (Director, Departments of Communication and Dalit & Adivasi concern, CSI Synod) and Rev. Solomon (Director, Youth Department, CSI Synod). Adv. C. Robert Bruce inaugurated the program by lighting the lamp and gave the inaugural address. Each of the other dignitaries also added a flame to the lamp and spoke briefly to bring greetings and to wish the program and participants well.

Challenging times for Christians in South Asia

The National Council of Churches in India strongly condemns the acts of violence perpetrated on Christians and similar religious minorities in the South Asian region.

We deeply regret that fanatic fascist religious forces are taking the law in their hands and determining who should live in the regions and who should be subjugated and even exterminated. 

The governments of the countries in the region feign surprise and shock at the incidence of such attacks on minorities. Loud but hollow speeches are made that terrorists will not be spared. The opposition parties blame their respective governments for such occurrences and tend to get political mileage for themselves rather than addressing the problem. 

The army and the police are to stand for secular values and principles as well as ensure justice and protection for the vulnerable. However even soldiers and police personnel belong to different religious communities. They could also be influenced by different communal ideologies. They may even be forced to submit to the diktats of their commanding officers. They may also be inadequately equipped to face the the onslaught of communal militant forces.

In the globalized world of our times even religion is commercialized and used by economic, political and religious leaders for their own selfish ends. Human beings do not seem to have any value in the context of the allurement of power and pleasure. Hence large numbers of people are killed; their deaths are considered as being unavoidable for the sake of the attractive end in view. Even religious killing and martyrdom is glorified.

Unless the secular minded people of the lands speak out, this carnage will continue! 

Unless the religious leaders emphasize the important of mutual love and community togetherness, this phenomenon of communal hatred will continue to breed and spread! 

Unless communities resolve that they will not allow hate-mongers to infiltrate their neighborhoods, this evil will not be stopped! 

Having just celebrated Good Friday and Easter, let us as Christians prayerfully and affirmatively stand for what is 'responsible' and 'liberating' in South Asia.

We are well aware that the scourge of religious extremism is also rampant in the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere. May we be inspired and empowered by the crucified-resurrected Jesus Christ to be channels of justice and peace!

Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad,

General Secretary, NCCI

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FCRA Registration Validity extended to 31st October 2016

An official Notification dated 29th March 2016 has been brought out by Govt. of India Ministry of Home Affairs Foreigners Division (FCRA Wing) announcing:


(i) To extend the validity of registration certificate of all the associations whose registration certificates are expiring on or before 30th September, 2016 upto 31st October, 2016; and

(ii) To extend the time for applying for renewal of registration upto 30th June, 2016.

Click here for the notice

An Easter Reflection from Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad, General Secretary of NCCI.

TRANSFORMING LIFE-THREATENING REALITIES INTO LIFE-AFFIRMING SITUATIONS

 Resurrection Experience in This Life itself! 

The resurrection of Jesus has significance not only for life after death but also for our life here and now. The resurrection of Jesus is not merely good news for individuals in their personal lives, but it has collective significance for human history and all creation. Over the centuries, Christians seem to have become content with the good news of the resurrection in terms of the hope of life it offers after death. Human beings in general do not want to die. Our survival instinct has made us afraid of death. Christ’s resurrection gives us comforting assurance: “We will not die! We will come back to life!” Funeral sermons usually focus on this hope. Quite often our hymns give expression to such a faith affirmation. Addressing some disappointed people in his times who considered Jesus to be a great martyr, whose message and ministry came to a premature end with his crucifixion, Paul declared, ‘If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” (I Cor. 15: 19) However, today perhaps Paul would tell many Christians, “If for life after death only we believe in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.”

Belief in Life after Death: Not something New!

Belief in life after death was not something very new or revolutionary in the times of Jesus. The parable of Jesus about the rich man and Lazarus (Luke16:19-31) gives an indication of the beliefs of the people in his times. In the parable it is said that Lazarus died and went to Abraham’s bosom while the rich man died and went to Hades where he was in torment. Both had a life after death. However it was almost a reversal of their earthly conditions: Lazarus experienced bliss while the rich man suffered. Moreover there was a great chasm between Abraham’s place where Lazarus dwelt and Hades where the rich man languished; one could not cross over from one place to another. Another instance of belief in life after death was the conversation between the repentant thief and Jesus at Golgotha (Luke 23: 39-43). Jesus assured the thief that he would be with Jesus in Paradise. In ancient Persian thought and culture, Paradise was a ‘walled garden’ or ‘park’. By Jesus’ time Paradise was believed to be a pleasant resting place for the righteous dead. So, belief in existence after death was already there among the people in those days.

Bail granted to one of the 7 innocent convicts of Kandhamal.

Message received from Mr. Anto Akkara

Great Victory for Kandhamal's Innocents - Christ is Risen!!!! 

Bail granted to one of the 7 innocent convicts of Kandhamal.

On March 22, the Odisha high court granted one-month bail to Gornath Chalanseth - one of the 7 innocent Christians - undergoing life imprisonment for Swami Laxmanananda's 'murder'. The bail order has come a day after I got a call from the National Human Rights Commission - 19 days into the signature campaign for the release of the innocent I launched in New Delhi at great risk.

Thanks for all those who have signed petition. 

Remember each signature at www.release7innocents.com generates three instant emails to the Chief Justice of India, the President of India and the National Human Rights Commission Chairman. 

Request: Pls join the signature campaign for the release of the innocent convicts. The greater the  numbers the faster the innocent Christians will be released.I plead once again - lend your voice to the innocents. Link one and all to ww.release7innocents.com and ask them to sign as a Lenten Act

Here's Gornath pic and his story. You can read the shocking story of other innocents at '7 innocents' at www.release7innocents.com

Source: Mr. Anto Akkara

Report of Citizen Journalism National Consultation and Training Program

A Citizen Journalism national consultation and training program “Pathways to Digital Frontiers: Communication Rights and Inclusion” was organized from March 11 – 12, 2016 in Panjim, Goa. It’s a program of the Commission on Communications and Relations of National Council of Churches in India (NCCI-COCR), Christian Service Agency (CSA) and World Association for Christian Communication (WACC). There were 30 participants of various profiles: Theologians, Church leaders and Pastors, Social Workers, Community Development workers, Grassroots community enablers, heads of Institutions, Heads of NGOs, Communication leaders, and publishers. Many of NCCI’s constituent member bodies and all major regions from across India were represented. The concept of Citizen Journalism as communicated in the course of this national consultation and training program was a serious take on the responsibility and privilege to enable information sharing by developing communication pathways to digital frontiers in a way that opens up possibilities for advocacy and self-advocacy towards wider engagement, inclusion and ensuring communication rights.