Addressing trifles, ignoring lives: Christian weekly demands PM's justification

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Sathyadeepam, a 96-year-old Malayalam weekly published by the Ernakulam Angamaly Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church, has raised concerns about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's continued silence on the escalating violence in Manipur. In an editorial, the publication criticised Modi for discussing the Ukraine war with Russian President Vladimir Putin while neglecting the "ethnic cleansing" taking place in Manipur.

The editorial highlighted the stark contrast between Modi's frequent visits to the Northeast region and his deliberate avoidance of Manipur, where clashes between the Meitis and Kukis have claimed the lives of at least 140 people, resulting in the destruction of churches and homes.

The publication questioned the justification for ignoring the sufferings in Manipur while the Prime Minister addresses seemingly insignificant matters in his monthly radio broadcast, "Mann Ki Baat."

The editorial highlighted how “the Prime Minister, who visited the Northeast more than 30 times in nine years, is deliberately not visiting Manipur” despite nine weeks of violence between the Meitis and Kukis.

“Rahul Gnadhi’s visit provided hope and confidence. It should not be forgotten that his visit materialised after overcoming the impediments created by the police and workers of the party of the Prime Minister, who continues to be mum after months,” it said.

The Manipur violence was “a setback for the BJP’s efforts to give a Hindutva face to all the tribal communities as against their cultural diversity," the weekly said.

“Is it right to ignore the inequalities faced by minority Adivasi communities on the part of a Prime Minister who spoke with pride about the ‘Mother of Democracy’ during his visit to America?”

The publication also expressed concern over a group of Manipuri lawmakers' inability to secure a meeting with Modi in Delhi to discuss potential solutions.

It decried the ongoing violence even after Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit, labeling it as a setback to the Bharatiya Janata Party's efforts to present a Hindutva face to tribal communities.

In solidarity with the people of Manipur, the Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council held a meeting in Ernakulam, while Archbishop Mar Joseph Pamplany of the Archdiocese of Thalassery, despite his pro-BJP image, had previously questioned Modi's silence on the Manipur unrest.