Bishop Dr. Ezra Sargunam – A Tribute

The National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) acknowledges with deep respects the life and ministry of the Bishop Dr. Ezra Sargunam, the Father Bishop of the Evangelical Church in India (ECI) – the pioneer missionary and founder of the ECI.

The NCCI Community, and it’s leadership, expresses it’s deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the members of the family and to the members of the churches of the ECI spread throughout the length and breadth of this country and beyond it’s borders. May the spirit and legacy of the rich heritage of the ECI be sustained in you and your ministries of christian faith, and in the spiritual memory of your Father Bishop.

Bishop Dr. Ezra Sargunam is a committed Christian, who fashioned himself after the manner of our Master – Jesus the Christ. His commitment to preaching the gospel and making disciples “from every language and every tribe” is known to one and all. His commitment to the upliftment of the masses is noteworthy; his commitment to social justice and his call to political witness individually and severally was always seen to be born out of his deep rooted commitment to the Gospel. We thank God for his tenure as the Chair of the TN State Minority Commission. I must record with deep appreciation his role, along with several others, in the repealing of the TN Prohibition of forcible conversion Act – the only such Act to be repealed in the whole country. But for his influence in the Government of the time and the leadership of the Churches in Tamilnadu of that time represented by Bishop Dr. V. Devasahayam and Archbishop Peter Fernando we could not have done it.

Bishop Dr. Ezra Sargunam’s life is a witness to the faith of the measure of the mustard seed, and to power of responding to the call of God in deep obedience. It grows as a tree in which the birds of the air could nest, and the weary could rest in its abiding shade. He was an evangelist at heart, an enabler in attitude and an empowering agent – the ECI is a standing witness to who he was and what he believed; it can be said of him that he built the church of God and not a kingdom of his own.

Bishop Dr. Ezra Sargunam was a master planner. What ever he did, he did in scale. His ability for mass mobilisation is a gift from God and an expression of his faith. We note with humility that he pointed them all to God and not to himself.

His abilities to network with people in-country and across borders has been the hallmark of his sharing. He was a Christian who was a friend to peoples of all faiths and ideologies respecting their religious faith and ideological persuasions.

The NCCI Community, of which the ECI is one of the latest members, extends its solidarity and prayers to the members of the family, the leadership of the Church, and to every believer in the Church. May the God who built you up continue to journey with you, may the centrality of the Christian faith in which you are being built up sustain you, and may the in-dwelling spirit of God that unites us continue to propel you and us in the faith and witness of the Gospel of Jesus the Christ, as you are surrounded by witness of all those who have gone ahead of us – even your Father Bishop, Bishop Dr. Ezra Sargunam. Blessed be his memory, and sacred to the witness of Jesus the Christ.

All Glory and Honour be to our God for ever and ever, Amen.

Rev. Asir Ebenezer
General Secretary, NCC India

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Rev. Dr. Enos Dass Pradhan – A Tribute

The National Council of Churches in India receives the news of the demise of Mr. Enos Das Pradan with deep sadness. He served as the Treasurer of the Church of North India Synod first, and then as its General Secretary. He served in various capacities including as the Office bearer of the Eastern Himalayas diocese for a long time.

During this time Mr. Pradhan gave good leadership to the Church of North India Synod as well the different dioceses of the CNI. He was a tall leader to whom the leaders of the Church looked up for direction and guidance.

Dr. Enos Das Pradhan has served as the Trustee of the CWM and the Deputy Moderator of the CWM Assembly. He gave leadership to the Communion of Churches in India as it’s Executive Secretary, as well as to the National Council of Churches in India as the Chairperson on the NCCI Commission for Policy Governance and Public Witness. During this time the NCCI started it’s Delhi operations again from the CNI Bhavan at Pandit Pant Marg, New Delhi.

We offer our deepest and heartfelt condolence to the family and assure them out ardent prayers

Rev. Asir Ebenezer
General Secretary, NCC India

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Honouring Champions of Accessibility, Resilience and Inclusion: NCCI-IDEA Disability Awards 2024

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The NCCI-IDEA Disability Awards 2024 have been officially launched! In a significant moment during the NCCI General Body meeting on September 13, 2024, the awards were unveiled by NCCI President H.G. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Yulios. This second edition of the awards is set to celebrate exceptional contributions toward disability inclusion, spotlighting individuals and organisations working to create a more accessible world.

A Look Back: COVID Heroes Award 2022 The inaugural edition, known as the COVID Heroes Award 2022, was announced on December 15, 2022. This special award recognised those who provided vital support to persons with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the standout winners were Mr. Sandeep Paul, from the CSI School for the Intellectually Disabled, and the Shapiro Initiative, both celebrated for their tireless efforts in serving the disabled community during this challenging time.

NCCI-IDEA Disability Awards 2024 Categories

This year’s edition expands its focus with four unique award categories, ensuring that every aspect of disability inclusion and innovation is recognised:

  1. Persons with Disabilities: Celebrating individuals for their remarkable achievements and
  2. Individuals: Honouring those who have made a transformative impact on the lives of persons with
  3. Institutions: Acknowledging organisations for their exceptional contributions in care, sensitivity, and
  4. Innovative Interventions: Highlighting groundbreaking initiatives that improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities.

How to Nominate

Nominations are open until November 5, 2024, and the process is simple. Just scan the QR code provided on the official poster or clicking the link given bellow, which will direct you to the nomination form. Fill in the necessary details and submit your entry.

Be Part of the Change

The NCCI-IDEA Disability Awards 2024 seek to inspire and encourage more action toward creating an inclusive society. By recognising those who go above and beyond in their efforts, these awards shine a light on the importance of accessibility and dignity for all.

Stay tuned for the award ceremony in December 2024 and join us in celebrating those who are paving the way to a more inclusive future!

For More Info: https://drive.google.com/file/d/16gDCB_onj2NnJoHawzCt3uoHcCB6R6Di/view?pli=1

For Nomination : https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/ 1FAIpQLSdRcLOTb4GF7n8zNt70jk4s1LSlopMBFS13HHksdHYV4eqVIQ/viewform?usp=pp_url

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The journey of a thousand words begins with one sign

Launch of NCCI Indian Sign Language Course 3.0

Young students from diffent churches such as the Salvation Army, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, Church of South India, Baptist Church of Nagaland and Andhra Evengelical Lutheran Church, hailing from the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Nagaland, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana joined online Indian Sign Language course 3.0 of The National Council of Churches in India – Indian Disability Ecumenical Accompaniment (NCCI-IDEA). The virtual inauguration ceremony was held on 17 August, 2024. 

The inaugural ceremony was graced by the presence of Pastor Praveen from the Deaf Fellowship Vijayawada, who inaugurated ISL 3.0, and the General Secretary of NCCI, Rev. Dr. Asir Ebenezer, who motivated the new batch to be change-makers in the church and society. He also emphasized NCCI’s contributions in advocating with the government, media, and constituent members to introduce sign language as a part of their public events and programs. 

Ms. Y. Madhurya, a dedicated ISL teacher, continues to be the strong pillar for the third batch. ISL 3.0 marks the beginning of a journey in sign language for the new batch, bringing hope for more friends and colleagues who can communicate with people who use sign language as their first language.

Reported by Nelson Nag,

Program Executive, IDEA

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Independence Day 2024: Building from the bottom, one brick at a time…

On the occasion of the 77th anniversary of the Independence Day (78th Independence Day) of the Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic of India, on Thursday the 15th of August 2024, we recognise with pride the enduring Sovereignty of the citizen.

Mandating a government which exists and functions as coalition governing partners, and identifying the need for an opposition in the democratic polity, the mind of the People of India is all but evident. What follows is the will of the government in power to heed this voice, and the role of the opposition to amplify the voice for the government to deliver and deliver efficiently.

Gram swaraj, captured in more than one ways in the panchayati raj system of participatory democratic governance, is one way in which we can continue to build on the gains of Mandate 2024. Through being thoroughly engaged in the panchayati raj form of local governance and its equivalence in the tribal and adivasi areas of the 5th and 6th Schedule States, the Indian citizen is capable of setting the country on the path of the ‘haven’ into which we would like to see our country awake.

Encouraging the citizen to participate in the process of local governance constructively and with a critical conscience, and acknowledging the role of the panchayats at the village to be involved in vision-casting for the country, are ways in which we can continue to grow as a people of this country – ‘leaving no one behind’.

While celebrating the hard-earned independence we as citizens of this great heritage that is India, together as those belonging to different faiths and ideologies, commit ourselves to work on the freedom of those who are enslaved through systems of religiosity, patriarchy, economic injustice, caste stratification, and such other enslavements relating to economic injustice and ethnic marginalisations.

We recognise a calling to hold each other accountable for what ails the ‘peoples’ of this country and an urgent call to address them together. We pray for a blessing of peace on our county and the entire neighbourhood and the world. We call on all Christians in the country to stand shoulder to shoulder with our fellow citizens in our common pursuit of Life-flourishing for ALL. Let us continue to build from the bottom, one brick at a time.

Jai Hind !

Rev. Asir Ebenezer
General Secretary, NCC India

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Prayer and Protest on 10th of August 2024 in different parts of India against 1950 Presidential Order

  

National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) – Commission on Dalit Concerns, Catholic Bishop’s Conference of India (CBCI) and National Council of Dalit Christians (NCDC) jointly appealed to the Churches and Organisations to organise and proactively participate in observing ‘National Protest Day’ on 10th August 2024 to raise our protest regarding the continual negligence of the government to the cry for the rights of Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims in the country to make the  Presidential (Scheduled Caste) Order 1950 ‘religion-neutral’. 

In response to this call, many NCCI Member Churches, Regional Councils of Churches and Organization/forums organized a prayer and protest on 10th of August 2024 in different part of India. A memorandum was submitted to the President of India and the Prime Minister of India on behalf of the NCDC, endorsed by the NCCI and the CBCI.

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‘Dalit Christians’: 74 years of structural discrimination based on Religion

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On August 10th this year, as in previous years, Christians across the country observe the National Day of Prayer and Protest. On this day Christians seek to highlight and protest the denial of the fundamental constitutional rights to a section of them because they decided to embrace Christianity as a religion of their choice.

When India became a Republic, we resolved as a nation to secure Justice, Equality, Liberty and Dignity for all our citizens. Members of castes worst affected from centuries of social oppression, the Scheduled Castes (SCs), were constitutionally assured special protection and affirmative benefits. These measures are necessary to help them overcome the effect of centuries of discrimination and oppression. Unfortunately these fundamental rights have been denied to the Dalit communities converted to Christianity and Islam through the Presidential (Scheduled Castes) Order 1950, even though this privilege was extended in 1956 to Sikhs and in 1990 to Buddhists of dalit origin. Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims continue to be kept outside this privilege.

Approximately 70% of the Christian population in India are from Scheduled Castes background. Dalit Christians have a unique history of faith experiences because of their caste identity. They embraced Christianity as a faith affirmation against caste slavery and these experiences vary according to regional contexts. It is not only common knowledge but also borne out of numerous extensive research studies that the Dalits are unfortunately still identified first by their caste by a large section of the Indian society. All their other identities, arising from their religious, regional, linguistic and other affiliations are secondary identities that do nothing to displace the severity of the caste-based discrimination and violence that they suffer.

Followed by the decades long mass struggles and advocacy initiatives, finally a Writ Petition (180/2004) was filed in the Supreme Court of India by the Centre for Public Interest Litigation challenging the Presidential (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950. The Writ Petition is also looking for justice from the apex court to allow and extend the Scheduled Caste status to Christians of Scheduled Caste origin for availing special privilege in education, getting scholarships, employment opportunity, welfare measures, affirmative actions, right to contest in the reserved constituencies from panchayat, legislative assemblies up to the Parliament and for availing the legal remedy/protection under Scheduled Castes and Scheduled tribes (Prevention) of Atrocities Act, 1989 amended in the year 2018.

On January 7th 2020, The Supreme Court agreed to examine the plea filed by Adv. Franklin Caesar Thomas that Dalit Christians or Christians of Scheduled Castes origin should enjoy the same quota benefits reserved for Scheduled Castes. The Civil Writ petition is pending before the Hon’ble Court for further hearing. The Supreme Court has a monumental opportunity now to render justice to millions of Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims who continue to suffer from social stigma and the horrors of untouchability.

In October 2022, the Central Government appointed the Justice K.G. Balakrishnan Commission to examine the Scheduled Caste status for Dalit Christians and Muslims, with a mandate to report back in two years. On May 30th and 31st, 2023, the Church of South India conducted a public hearing in Chennai, titled “A Cry for Justice.” This event focused on Christians of Scheduled Caste origin and documented the discrimination they faced within churches and society throughout Southern India. The NCDC, in collaboration with the NCCI and CBCI, organised conclaves across India on the topic of extending Scheduled Caste status to Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims The findings are to be filed before the Justice Balakrishnan Commission.

Meanwhile in the Supreme Court all petitioners were instructed to combine their filings, with Advocate Gauthaman appointed to oversee the process. Despite these actions, the case was listed but has not yet been heard and remains pending. The 74 years of struggle for justice should be supported by the people who believe in equality and democracy. We await Justice with earnest faith in God.

A Prayer and Protest session is organised in Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on 10th August 2024 from 10 AM to 1PM along with the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) and the National Council of Dalit Christians (NCDC). Elsewhere in the Country, Christians and Churches will join together locally for sessions of prayer and protest on the same day.

Rev. Asir Ebenezer
General Secretary
August 2024

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NCCI School of Ecumenism begins on a high note…

 

NCCI Commission on Youth Concerns celebrates the legacy of Bishop V S Azariah on his 150 birth year. Six days’ School of Ecumenism started at Nagpur today with the very innovative inaugural service. Twenty Eight young people from different parts of India and from different churches are participating to learn about ecumenism.

Rev. Dr. Pakiam T Samuel Director of HMI and Vice President of NCCI gave the Keynote address. Rev. Dr Asir Ebenezer, General Secretary of NCCI and Mr. Angelious Michael, Director of India Peace Centre greeted the young participants. Rev Asher Noah, NCCI Youth Concerns Executive Secretary welcomed all the participants and introduced them to the elements of the six-day program.

Mr. Michael Angelious, who started with NCCI as a participant of the Youth Empowerment Training in 1999, was felicitated for 25 years of facilitating the Spirit of Ecumenism in Church and Society.

Click here for more photos

 

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NEWS RELEASE | Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion (Amendment) Bill 2024

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The National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) condemns the intent of the Uttar Pradesh Government in moving the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion (Amendment) Bill 2024. This amendment significantly intensifies the provisions of the original Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021. While the 2021 Act already classified religious conversion as a cognizable and non-bailable offense, with penalties up to 10 years in prison for conversions conducted through marriage, misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, or other allegedly fraudulent methods, the new amendment introduces even harsher measures. It raises the maximum penalty from 10 years to life imprisonment, allows any individual to file a complaint, and complicates the bail process.

We object to this law in so far as it violates the provisions of the Indian Constitution. Conversion itself is not an offence unless induced by undue influence, misrepresentation, or coercion, which only the victim can claim. Additionally, the new law adversely affects the harmonious life in India and the basic rights of it’s citizens;

  • Impact on Fundamental Rights: The anti-conversion law encroaches on the constitutional right to freely practice and profess religion, a fundamental human right recognized by both the Indian Constitution and international human rights standards.
  • Restrictions on Personal Freedom: The law imposes undue limitations on individuals’ ability to make independent choices regarding their faith.
  • Potential for Abuse: The law grants extensive authority to officials and any third parties which could be misused to target specific individuals or communities based on religious prejudice.
  • Risk of Increased Harassment: There is a risk of heightened harassment and criminalization of peaceful religious practices, including baptism in Christianity.
  • Exacerbation of Communal Tensions: By creating an environment of mistrust and division, the law threatens to aggravate communal tensions and undermine India’s diverse religious harmony.
  • Vague Provisions: The law contains ambiguous provisions including that of ‘mass conversion’ that are susceptible to broad interpretation, leading to inconsistent enforcement and possible injustice.
  • Paternalistic Approach: The law adopts a paternalistic perspective, undermining individuals’ dignity by implying they are incapable of making informed choices about their own religious beliefs.

In light of these concerns, NCCI calls on the Uttar Pradesh Government to rethink this law and promptly abandon its effort to enact it.  It is imperative that we uphold the values of freedom, equality, and respect for all individuals, regardless of their religious affiliations.

We encourage a more inclusive dialogue with all faith groups on how best to address concerns about coercive conversions without infringing on fundamental freedoms. The emphasis should be on ensuring that all individuals can make personal choices without fear of legal repercussions or social ostracism.

Rev Asir Ebenezer
General Secretary, NCCI

Dated: 31 July, 2024

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NCCI Tribal & Adivasi Sunday 2024 | Protecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact

In order to have a better understanding of the life situation of the Tribal and Adivasi communities in India and to have a common form of worship for this special Sunday, NCCI  brings out this Liturgy. 

Since 2011, Tribal and Adivasi Sunday have been celebrated in many parts of our country in sensitizing the local congregation on Tribal and Adivasi Concerns. We would like to thank for the enormous support we have received from the churches, dioceses, parishes and institutions in celebrating this special Sunday.

The theme for this year’s Tribal and Adivasi Sunday is “Protecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact”. We take this opportunity to invite you to celebrate Tribal and Adivasi Sunday on 4th August 2024 in your church/local parish/institution in a creative way. Herewith we are sending you a special order of worship for the day. You may take the freedom to use the entire worship order and translate it in your vernacular language or adapt parts of it.

Download the liturgy 

Reflection

In Christ,

Mr. Pradip Bansrior
Executive Secretary
Commission on Tribal/ Adivasi Concerns
National Council of Churches in India

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