Six months ahead of elections in three northern Indian states, Christian leaders have pledged to vote for poli-tical parties assuring protection of their communities from discrimination and abuse.
Ecumenical Christian group Sarva Isai Mahasangh (All Christian Forum) has resolved not to support parties in upcoming federal and state elections that work against religious minorities.
Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh States, ruled by the pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), face elect-ions in November and December while the term of BJP Prime Minister Narendra Modi expires next May. “We are passing through a very critical period in the history of our country where people are divided on caste and religious lines,” said Arch-bishop Leo Cornelio of Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh. “A very dangerous trend exists in the country that undermines the secular tenets of our constitution.” He added: “Come what may, we will continue with our mission of serving the poor and the needy.”
