Leaders of NCCI Member Churches Affirm Commitment to Unity, Condemn Attacks on Christians

Hyderabad, 5 August 2025

Leaders of the Protestant and Orthodox Churches within the fellowship of the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) convened in Hyderabad for a historic conclave — the first of its kind in the 111-year history of the NCCI — to reflect on the common ecumenical pilgrimage of the Churches in India. The meeting was convened under the leadership of the NCCI.

The leaders engaged in substantive deliberations on a range of pressing issues, most notably the alarming increase in targeted attacks against Christians across the country, often carried out with impunity. While unequivocally condemning these acts of violence, the leaders expressed gratitude to all individuals and groups who stand in solidarity with, and accompany, the affected communities.

The conclave reaffirmed the urgent need to strengthen ecumenical engagement at the grassroots level — fostering stronger bonds of relationship among individuals and communities, nurturing mutual respect for diverse faiths and ideologies, and upholding the constitutional freedom to profess, practice, and propagate one’s faith. The leaders reiterated their call for the repeal of all so-called Freedom of Religion (anti-conversion) laws, noting that there is no evidence of conversions within the Christian community through force, fraud, or allurement. They emphasised that existing legal provisions are sufficient to address any such alleged incidents.

The assembly voiced deep concern over the 75-year delay in amending the 1950 Presidential Order to make it religion-neutral, thereby ensuring that all communities listed as Scheduled Castes can access their rightful entitlements without discrimination based on faith.

Recognising the moral imperative to address gender-based violence, the leaders pledged to work collaboratively to eradicate such violence, protect the dignity of all people, and ensure a life free from coercion and manipulation. They also committed to ensuring that young people in the Church and in society are given a meaningful present and empowered to build a hopeful future.

The meeting underscored the importance of acknowledging the contributions of tribal and Adivasi communities to nation-building. Churches were urged to create spaces to celebrate their achievements, commemorate tribal leaders, and ensure the inclusion of Christian tribal and Adivasi peoples in all decision-making bodies of churches and their institutions.

On matters of war and conflict, the leaders called for concerted, positive initiatives to end hostilities worldwide, respond to humanitarian crises, and promote lasting peace.

In all these areas of ecumenical public witness, the leaders affirmed the NCCI’s commitment to its relationship with the Roman Catholic Church and the Churches in the fellowship of the Evangelical Fellowship of India through the National United Christian Forum (NUCF) — jointly mandated by the NCCI, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), and the EFI — to provide a strong, authentic, coordinated voice of the Christian community in India.

This historic gathering witnessed the participation of the leadership of NCCI Member Churches, both in person and through appointed representatives.

Rev. Asir Ebenezer

General Secretary, NCCI

Press Release