Elections: Commitment of Indian Christians in Politics

December 04, 2012: Christians are called to commit themselves to contribute to building a truly democratic nation that respects dignity and human rights, based on the values of fraternity, equality, common good: is what was said by more than a thousand Christian leaders of the state of Madhya Pradesh (central India) during a forum held recently in Bhopal. The forum was organized by the ecumenical federation "Isai Maha Sangh" in preparation for the legislative elections, scheduled in the state in 2013.

Between March and October of 2013, ten Indian states will renew their parliamentary assemblies. Of these, some important and populous states such as Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan, the district of the capital Delhi, Chhatisgarh; other states in Northeast India like Mizoram and Meghalaya, or a state, still troubled, such as Jammu and Kashmir.

In some of these states religious minorities find themselves in difficult circumstances or suffer pressure from radical Hindu groups. This is why the participants during the Bhopal meeting actively discussed on how to start programs to identify and allow new Christian leaders to grow, and can assert themselves in the political scene. The urgent need to motivate Christians was highlighted. Sujeet Wiliams, President of the ecumenical forum "Isai Maha Sangh," told Fides: "In the present scenario, the presence of Christian leaders in politics is weak: to be significant, Christians will have to join together, overcoming religious differences."
The summit was also attended by leaders of all the parties of Madhya Pradesh, such as the Congress Party, the "Bhartya Janata Party," the "Communist Party of India", the Indian community Party (Marxist), the Jantadal United.