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India: Manipur Christians continue to suffer violence amid unrest, government criticized for silence

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – While India’s central government remains largely silent, Christians in the north-east Indian state of Manipur are continuing to suffer deadly upheaval amid protracted violence between the powerful Hindu majority Meitei community and the Tribal Christian Kuki minority, Global Christian Relief (GCR) reports.

Described by GCR as an unofficial civil war, the violence in Manipur began in May, and has left 150 people dead. Moreover, 60,000 people are estimated to have been internally displaced, and over 5,000 homes have been destroyed. Notably, more than 400 Churches have been destroyed in the clashes along with over 5000 houses and countless families torn apart.

The Kuki community is a socially vulnerable minority with minimal political representation, and has therefore been officially designated the status of “Scheduled Tribe.” This designation has given rise to Meitei Hindu resentment as the status gives the Kuki the right to receive certain government assistance, including some affirmative action.

Among other complex issues at the heart of the violence, the Meitei community is demanding that the ‘Scheduled Tribe’ status be removed from the Kukis, GCR reports. According to GCR, this demand has raised concerns for the Kukis and other tribal groups. “They argue that this move would further strengthen the Meitei’s influence, potentially enabling them to acquire tribal land or settle in their areas,” GCR said.

In its report GCR also noted the relative inaction of the central Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party, in dealing with the Manipur violence. “[Modi’s] silence on the situation has drawn criticism from the Opposition, who accuse him of displaying ‘brazen indifference’ towards the violence in Manipur,” GCR said.

Ruled by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party since 2014, India ranks 11th on the US Open Doors World Watch List 2023 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.