NEW DELHI: The ongoing sectarian violence in northeastern Manipur state has been labeled as “ethnic-cleansing of Christians” by Archbishop Joseph Pamplany of Tellicherry, an Indian Catholic prelate. He criticized the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government for its failure to restore peace after nearly two months and over 130 deaths.
Archbishop Pamplany’s statement marks a significant departure from the earlier stance of the Eastern rite Syro-Malabar Church towards the ruling party. He equated the violence in Manipur to the 2002 riots in Gujarat, where numerous Muslims were killed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure as chief minister.
In an official release from the Syro-Malabar Church, Archbishop Pamplany challenged Prime Minister Modi’s claim during a press conference with President Joe Biden that “there was no religious discrimination in India.” He questioned whether the prime minister could deny religious discrimination to the suffering Christians of Manipur.
The Syro-Malabar Church had previously faced criticism for aligning with the pro-Hindu party ahead of the 2024 national elections, disregarding concerns about India’s transformation into a theocratic Hindu nation.
Archbishop Pamplany had previously courted controversy when he offered the BJP assistance in winning a parliamentary seat in Kerala in exchange for increased rubber prices. He drew criticism for his remarks, while Cardinal George Alencherry, the head of the Syro-Malabar Church, had previously defended the BJP, stating that Christians did not feel insecure under its rule.
The recent reversal by Archbishop Pamplany has garnered support from critics of the Syro-Malabar Church leadership. Shaiju Antony, a leader of the Archdiocesan Movement for Transparency (ATM) in Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese, praised the prelate for his stance, acknowledging that the church leadership had finally understood the reality in Manipur and responded positively.
Violence and Bloodshed in Manipur
Manipur has been engulfed in violence and bloodshed since May 3, with tribal groups, primarily Christians, opposing the inclusion of the Meitei Hindu community in the Scheduled Tribe category. The clashes stem from the Meitei community’s desire to access reservation benefits under India’s affirmative action plan.
Church leaders report that around 50,000 displaced Kuki people, many of whom reside in approximately 300 relief camps, receive inadequate support from the BJP-led state administration. The violence has resulted in the destruction of around 300 churches and claimed over 130 lives, with the actual casualty count expected to be higher.
