Interreligious Appeal to end violence in Manipur
- 13th September 2023 -

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Interreligious Appeal to end violence in Manipur

We, an interreligious collective of India, appeal to all conflicting parties to immediately end all kinds of violence targeted on ethnic lines in Manipur. This call to immediately end violence as part of the fundamental duties of citizens of India and interreligious collective is made at the launch of a ‘Greater India Movement for Social, Economic and Moral Freedoms of India’ with a particular focus on Manipur conflict situation by an interreligious collective and officials of the National Council for Reconciliation and Peace. Ending violence is the first step to addressing growing humanitarian crisis and peace intervention by neutral third party for resolving the conflicts in mutually agreeable ways.

We understand that all brothers and sisters in Manipur who are actively involved in the on-going violent conflict across the communities are doing so for a cause that you consider worthy of making extreme sacrifices of own precious lives on both sides.

We also observe that continuous use of violence against one another is worsening the situation, causing painful memories and extreme suffering to thousands of sick and aged, women and children displaced in hundreds of refugee camps on both sides. Hundreds of children are traumatized needing psycho-social supports on both sides. If unhealed these painful experiences are likely to get transferred to have the next few generations to kill one another as enemies and not as good neighbours, brother-sisters and friends.

We also know that not all people on both sides of the divide are involved in this violent conflict. There are many peace-loving people on both sides who want to participate in peace-making processes to save the present and future generation from the scourge of violent conflicts. Our children are not responsible for the problems of the past nor they can be held responsible for the problems in their future which are created by the present generation. One never knows whether the future generations will respect you as war heroes or villains of the past!

Our children have fundamental right to peaceful environment to grow according to their full potentials with good relationships across communities. As responsible parents and citizens of this country we all are duty-bound to leave behind a peaceful environment to our present and future children.

Hence, it is fundamental duty of all citizens of India to end tit for tat violence immediately and give a space for peace-makers from inside and outside the state to help you resolve the conflicts in mutually agreeable and respectful manners through dialogues. End the violence without any further provocation from either side, immediately for dialogue process to take place as desired by the hon’ble home minister of this country.

This decision to make this appeal to all our brothers and sisters in Manipur was arrived after serious deliberations on Manipur conflict situation and fundamental duties of citizens of India in a launch function and a national seminar on ‘National Unity Forum & Greater India Movement for Economic, Social and Moral Freedoms of India’ under the leadership of Swami Sachidananda John, founder Deiva Kripa Ashram, on 10th September 2023 at POC, Palavarittom, Kochi, Kerala.

The seminar was organized in collaboration with the CBCI Commission for Dialogue and Ecumenism, National Council for Reconciliation and Peace, and Navasrushti International Trust-Kerala. LIPI-Kochi, AIPS-Kannur, DBNI-Lucknow, TSM-Kerala, DBF-Mulanthuruthy & Deiva Kripa Ashram-Alappuzha.

The seminar was graced by Hon’ble Justice (Retd) Kurian Joseph, former Judge of Supreme Court of India, and Chairman, National Council for Reconciliation and Peace; Rt. Rev. Dr. James Raphael Anaparambil, Bishop of Alleppey; Goswami Shusheel Maharaj, Convener of Indian Parliament of All Religions, New Delhi & Rt. Rev. Dr. Vincent Nellaiparambil, Bishop of Bijnor. Dr. Hussian Madavoor, Sri. John Shilsi (Retd) IPS and Dr Deben Bachaspatimayum, Convener, Interfaith Forum for Peace and Harmony, Manipur were present as guests of honour in the inaugural function of the seminar and participated in seminar on Manipur as pilot project of the national movement for social, economic and moral freedoms of India.

Swami Sachidananda John
Deiva Kripa Ashram, Alappuzha, Kerala