Christians in India can break the cycle of religious violence

In early February, Washington, D.C. will host the annual International Religious Freedom Summit.

While religious freedom is always an important topic, this year, it feels even more urgent. All over the world — from Nigeria to North Korea, from Afghanistan to Burma — there is persecution and unrest. But it’s happening here in India as well. All you need to do is look at the past 18 months of chaos and upheaval engulfing the Indian state of Manipur. 

What is happening in India?

There are about 600,000 Kuki Christians in Manipur who have been forced to resort to self-defense to protect themselves from attacks against them due to their ethnic and Christian identity. Meanwhile, in attempts to resist those who would impose an extremist Hindu identity, radicalised elements of the Meitei population have taken up arms by seizing weapons from state armories and attacking both the Kuki population and state forces.

This cycle of violence stems from the radical ideology of violent extremist Hinduism which has now turned against the Indian state itself, in Manipur. The Meitei, long struggling for their own tribal identity and land, now face an additional challenge as 10% of their population is Christian. 

This religious and ethnic struggle has attracted attention around India, and the large Naga Christian population in the State of Manipur is watching how the conflict unfolds. It is important to recognise that it is the Hindu culture — not extremist Hinduism — that has held India together for millennia. The radicalised Hindu agenda has successfully polarised India according to ethnic identities, religious identities and caste.    

The pluralistic, diverse and peaceful India we previously knew is under threat. Corporate India appears indifferent about Indian unity or the potential disintegration of society. Many have already parked much of their financial resources abroad and numerous elite, upper caste Indians have relocated with their millions even as cultural and religious hate is spewed by the media channels owned by the rich and powerful.  

It is clear that something needs to change and I believe the Church has a significant role to play, even as it endures persecution and propaganda. That is because the church has the power, through the love of Jesus, to demonstrate authentic peace and harmony in Manipur.

The way, the truth and the life

First, the love of Christ will not allow us to treat our neighbors — no matter their religion or ethnic identity — as our enemies.

Christ-followers cannot sink into any form of Christian nationalism if we are serious about following Jesus. Furthermore, the love of Christ affirms the basic right of human freedom. It does not allow for the violence and destruction that has left many of the churches of the Manipur heartland in ruins.

The state has failed to protect the fundamental human rights of both Kuki and Meitei Christians. Radicalised Hindu forces in the states of Uttar Predesh, Madhya Predesh and Chattisgarh have banned Christian home meetings, effectively criminalising prayer and worship in the privacy of your home. This is a solemn reminder of the persecution faced by believers in the early centuries of the church, in radicalised Muslim nations, in the Soviet Union, and now in China.  

Anyone with knowledge of Christian history knows that such persecution will only strengthen the Church. As Christians continue to faithfully follow Jesus despite the constant threat of unjust concequences, more people are drawn to Christ. The freedom of conscience, and the authenticity of their faith, is not taken away just because an antagonistic faction holds political power.  

The love of Christ also allows for religious pluralism. It allows people to make their own free choices with regard to their personal faith. The propaganda that smears Indian Christians, claiming they engage in forced and fraudulent conversions, adds dangerous fuel to this fire. The fact that the State of Assam has banned even prayer for divine healings is a pointer to how radicalised this version of Hinduism is.  

Further, the government’s clampdown on any compassionate work of education, healthcare, and economic development through foreign assistance speaks of a callous attitude to the poor and marginalised. Millions have lost their jobs and livelihoods, yet no alternate means of social care has been provided.  

To turn the other cheek

The philosophy seems to be that the ruling class do not want Christians involved in the social sphere through Christian networks. The idea of the unconditional love of Christ, without the pressure to convert, is somehow lost on the very people who send their children to the best English education institutions in India and abroad. Christians, on the other hand, must remain faithful to the Gospel, and the goal of peace on earth through Jesus’ love and sacrifice. We must resist any hint of Christian nationalism or counterproductive separatism in response to the persecution we receive. Manipur has not been dealt a just hand, but that should never be an excuse - for them or Christians anywhere - to repay evil for evil.