Communicating Reconciliation:An Indian Perspective

GCN PRE-CAPE TOWN MEETING
August 21-24, 2003 , Hotel Blue Star, Katmandu , Nepal

India , the home of more than one billion people, has a huge land extent. It has 28 States and six areas that come directly under the Government of India. In spite of India being the most diverse, multi-social, multi-cultural, multi-religious, multi-ethnic and multi-lingual country, it is fast emerging into an insecure situation, specially the Christian and Muslim religious minorities. Even though the proportion of people living in poverty has declined the country still has the largest number of people living below the poverty line in the world.

Conflict and Violence:

India is plagued both by Inter-State violence and Intra-State violence. Almost every State in the country is plagued by its own share of problems, most of them unresolved, stemming from internal as well as external sources. These include ethnic tensions, secessionist demands, subversive activities, border disputes, religious fundamentalism, caste and gender conflict - civil violence which has in recent years emerged as the most serious security issue in India . Communal hatred, growing religious fundamentalism and politicization of religion are some of the reasons intensifying social tensions, conflicts and violence which ultimately hinder social and human development.

These conflicts can be classified in four major categories:

•  Ethnic/Caste : There are frequent ethnic conflicts between/among the various tribes specially in North East India and in States like Bihar and Orissa, while caste-based conflicts are very prominent in other areas of the country. These conflicts directly affect the life of the Church and communities in a negative way.

•  Church Politics : Conflicts due to power struggle of Church leaders, strife among the local community due to the absence of an altruistic attitude and a sacrificial mind. Absence of democratic principles in the administration is another cause. It is an urgent necessity to educate and train community/organizational leaders for effective and ethical administration.

•  International Politics : Conflicts and tensions between India and neighbouring countries, especially India and Pakistan . In 2002 India and Pakistan reached almost to the brink of war. Only creative peace-building through religious organizations and people to people movements can bring international peace.

•  Growing Religious Fundamentalism : Christianity, a minority religion in India , constituting less than 2.5% of the population, faces innumerable problems in recent times. The very existence of Christianity has been under threat, although Christianity has existed in Indian sub-continent since the first century. Communal riots and conflicts in India have created fear psychosis among the minorities in India . In this situation, the most important need of the hour is to find ways to nurture inter-religious cooperation and mutual confidence among the people of all faiths.

A Response to the Challenges:

As a result of the resurgence of religious fundamentalism, peaceful co-existence among the religious communities has come under threat. In spite of its minority status, the Church in various contexts has played the role of being a creative presence. It has exercised a ministry to empower the marginalized communities and encouraged them to stand in solidarity with the victims of injustice. The Church in India is actively involved in carrying God's mission of justice, peace and reconciliation. It is this theological foundation that undergirds and empowers the ministry of the Church to choose Life amidst Death.

In this context the Church is called to a ministry of discernment and prophesy. We believe that the ministry of peace-making embodies the discernment of truth from falsehood, justice from injustice, reconciliation from impunity. The ministry of reconciliation is the costly nature of God's ministry and we are called to exercise that ministry in partnership with God and people of diverse faiths and communities.

While recognizing the fact that peace and reconciliation are primary needs for human development, Church, NGOs, and civil society have the responsibility of empowering people with a systematic approach and hence such confidence building programmes need to be developed in India and in South Asia .

Some of the Peace and Reconciliation Programmes undertaken by NCCI:

Churches are very active in the ministry of Peace and Reconciliation mission, specially in the North East India as the region is mostly affected by conflict and violence. Each church and convention has its own commission/committee on Peace and Reconciliation. They are working hard at the local, regional and international level, so as to bring peace in the region.

•  Peace Training Programme: A 30-day Certificate Peace Training Programme in the North East (in partnership with North East India Christian Council) bringing people from conflict-ridden communities in the region. Together to evolve new responses.

•  Peace and Reconciliation Workshop/ Training in different conflict-affected areas makes it more real and relevant.

•  Conflict Management and Peace Building Programme (in partnership with Henry Martyn Institute, Hyderabad ) in Nagaland State .

•  Arranging Pastoral visits of leaders to conflict-ridden churches and communities.

•  Church initiative to build peace between India and Pakistan and other neighbouring countries. Programme on Awareness Building for Church leaders and political leaders, such as Members of Legislative Assembly and Members of Parliament.

Some Concerns in the South Asian situation which we can address together through networking:

•  To raise awareness of the religious extremism that is affecting most religions – Islam, Hinduism, Christianity and Buddhism - negatively.

Awareness building is possible only through conscientizing people, using occasions of religious teachings and study. What is required is the identification of positive steps (which emanate from religious values) in building up communities of peace, and inculcating them in the minds of people of all age groups. Religious extremism has to be condemned as an act of sin.

•  To encourage and support civil educational projects in order to promote an understanding, tolerance, peace and communal harmony at local, national and regional levels .

It is negative indoctrination which breeds fundamentalism. Some religions train their young people to develop a totally negative and violent attitude towards people of other faiths. Training should be given to people of all religions to respect each other's faith. Those institutions which propagate religious hatred need to be dismantled, identified and value-based education has to be enhanced.

•  To engage in Inter-faith dialogue on issues of Human Rights in order to build a culture of peace, and to address issues such as rights of the minorities and intolerance of the “other”.

It is found that Dialogue is an effective instrument of building up understanding among people. It is encouraging to see that the churches are taking dialogue more seriously than ever before. Inter-religious cooperation in the area of human rights is a powerful element.

•  To mobilize national and international support for the repeal of Laws which are biased, unjust and arbitrary (e.g. Blasphemy Law in Pakistan )

This is possible only through a strong networking of churches and secular organizations in South Asia and elsewhere.

With regard to the specific conflict situation between India and Pakistan :

•  Encouraging and supporting people to people programmes between India and Pakistan for the promotion of peace and reconciliation.

For several years such an effort is being done by NGOs in Pakistan and India , but churches are not part of this creative process. It is high time that the churches also joined such efforts. Finally, only people can make a difference. The recent occasion of the Pakistani child Noor Fatima getting treated in India made much goodwill between the two nations. Similar give and take needs to take place on a regular basis.

•  Organizing prayer vigils wherever possible on an interfaith basis to promote peace and reconciliation.

This needs organized effort. The Unity Sunday or the Unity Octave for Prayer can be opportunities for prayer and vigil for the churches in both countries along with people of other faiths.

Conclusion

The concept of peace is not just an absence of conflict, but the wholeness and well-being, happiness and security, integrity and justice. The fragmentation and disunity in the community weakens our ability to be peacekeepers. We share the responsibility as individuals, as well as institutions, of seeking that unity that will bear witness of God's peace. We are called not only to be artisans of reconciliation, but also to foster that prerequisite of peace, which is justice. We long for an end to conflict, we long for justice and security, and a chance to build a better life for our children, uninterrupted by violence and destruction. Peace is a process, reconciliation is costly. Let us walk unitedly towards that mission.

- Ms. Awala Longkumer

Executive Secretary, NEI Concerns, NCCI