Since May this year, Manipur has been engulfed in violence. Having started between two ethnic tribes, Kuki and Meitei, for scheduled caste status, many have called it a clash between two religious communities, Hindus and Christians. With other theories around, the archbishop of Bombay, Cardinal Oswald Gracias, said the clash is between two tribes and not religious communities. He added, “Churches have been destroyed, and so have temples; we must help and rebuild”.
On July 26, the archbishop said in a video statement available on YouTube that what happened and is happening in Manipur is painful, and it was given a religious twist. What is going on in the Valley State is not a religious conflict but a tribal conflict, between two tribes historically hostile to each other.
Not religious conflict
In the four-minute video, Bishop Gracias said, “Manipur is in the news for multiple reasons. There has been violence, lives have been lost, and properties have been demolished. We are sad over how the incident has been presented in the press. We hang our heads in shame that this could have happened in our country, India.”
Talking about the government’s action, he said arrangements have been made by the government and people have been arrested, but this should not have happened in this country.
He said he has been constantly in touch with the president of the CBCI (Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India), Archbishop Andrews Thazhath, and Imphal’s Archbishop, Dominic Lumon. They have all been discussing and reviewing the matter, and that is why he sent this message.
A conflict between tribes
Talking about the dispute, he said, “This is a tribal conflict, two tribes, historically very hostile to each other. And it exploded into violence because of certain legislations that were passed. It is given a religious twist, but it is not a religious conflict. It is not between two religions, it’s between two tribes,”
Asking for the people to stop agitation, Bishop said, We must not do anything to worsen the situation. Efforts to build harmony and peace should continue.
He said he talked to the CBCI president about how the organisation and the Church can contribute to peacebuilding.
The restoration efforts
Talking about the vandalism that shook the whole country, the bishop added, “Churches have been destroyed, but temples have also been destroyed. Although, more Churches than temples, we must help them rebuild.”
For the peacekeeping efforts he asked for donations and said on August 12 and 13 a special meeting will be organised where donations will be accepted to begin the restorations in the state.
He said, “I invite convents, institutions, associations, cells, zones, Catholic Sabhas and others who want to make contributions. We should all pray for Manipur, as it is the need of the hour for Manipur and this country to be able to live in harmony”.
Oswald Gracias is an Indian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He was elected president of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India in 2010. He was also appointed as one of the eight-member Council of Cardinals established by Pope Francis to help with governing the Catholic Church and reforming its administration.
