Justice cannot be selective : NCCI Statement on the ongoing NAKBA

On this seventy-eighth anniversary, the National Council of Churches in India, an ecumenical expression of Protestant and Orthodox Churches as well as ecumenical organizations, regional councils and agencies in India, joins in solemn remembrance with the Palestinian people. We do not commemorate a single event of the past, but rather acknowledge a continuous and daily reality of displacement, dispossession, and suffering that has defined Palestinian existence since 1948, the ongoing Nakba.

The term “Nakba”, meaning catastrophe, describes the deliberate and systematic mass expulsion of Palestinians from their homeland, the destruction of hundreds of villages, and the creation of a refugee crisis that remains unresolved to this day. More than 750,000 people were displaced. Over 500 Palestinian villages were depopulated or destroyed. Families who fled or were driven from their homes have never been permitted to return, despite successive United Nations resolutions affirming their rights.

The current war in Gaza has produced destruction without precedent. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, with many more injured, displaced, or missing beneath the rubble. Entire neighbourhoods, hospitals, schools, and places of worship lie destroyed. Hunger and disease stalk the population. For years before this war, Gaza was described by human rights observers as an “open-air prison”, more than two million people living under severe restrictions on movement, trade, and access to essential services. Generations have grown up trapped between blockade, poverty, and recurring bombardment. Meanwhile, in the West Bank, settlements have expanded relentlessly on land confiscated from Palestinians, settlements that international law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention, considers illegal. For many Palestinians, the issue is no longer merely occupation but the steady erosion of any possibility of a viable state.

We recognise that Israel insists its actions are driven by security imperatives, particularly after the October 7 attacks. The continued occupation, blockade, and repeated wars have not produced peace, only deepened cycles of grief and suffering on all sides. The tragedy is that two peoples remain imprisoned by competing historical traumas: one shaped by centuries of antisemitic persecution, the other by dispossession, occupation, and statelessness. As Scripture reminds us, “The Lord loves justice” (Psalm 37:28), and “Let justice roll down like waters” (Amos 5:24).

We speak with sorrow about a painful reality that, for decades, large segments of the global Christian community have remained largely silent in the face of the ongoing Nakba. This silence is particularly striking because one of the world’s oldest Christian communities lives in Palestine, a community that has steadily dwindled under occupation and displacement. Bethlehem itself, the birthplace of our faith, has seen its Christian population shrink dramatically. Our Palestinian Christian siblings have cried out for solidarity, yet their voices have too often been met with indifference.

We confess that this silence has functioned as complicity. When the Church does not speak against the confiscation of land, the demolition of homes, and the killing of civilians, the moral witness of Christianity is wounded. As the prophet Isaiah declares, “Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed” (Isaiah 1:17).

We also acknowledge with concern the rapid growth of Christian Zionism, a movement that interprets biblical prophecy as mandating unquestioning support for the modern state of Israel, often regardless of its actions toward Palestinians. This theology frequently renders Palestinian Christians invisible or as obstacles to divine plan.

The National Council of Churches in India affirms that no theological framework which sanctifies the permanent subjugation of one people by another can claim fidelity to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The same Scriptures that speak of God’s faithfulness also command love of neighbour and justice for the stranger. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9), and “Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me” (Matthew 25:45). Christian Zionism, in its most extreme forms, has inverted these commands, offering uncritical support to a political project while remaining indifferent to the cries of Palestinian children.

We call upon churches across India and around the world to break their silence. We urge believers to listen to Palestinian Christian voices, to examine teachings on Christian Zionism against the life of Jesus, who was born under occupation, who identified with the oppressed, and who proclaimed good news to the poor and liberation to the captives (Luke 4:18).

We call upon the international community to stop treating Palestinian rights as negotiable. Justice cannot remain selective. Human rights cannot apply differently depending on who violates them.

Seventy-eight years after the Nakba began, the choice is clear: coexistence based on equality and international law, or perpetual war. The future will be secured only when Israelis and Palestinians alike can live as equals, with dignity, freedom, and humanity recognised on both sides of history.

“He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8)

Rev. Asir Ebenezer
General Secretary

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Appeal for the Immediate Release of all remaining Hostages in Manipur

The National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) expresses relief upon hearing of the release of women hostages from both the Naga and Kuki communities on 15 May 2026.

However, NCCI strongly urges that all remaining hostages also be released immediately and unconditionally, in the spirit of humanity and goodwill, and to further de-escalate the situation.

NCCI prayerfully appeals to the affected communities to come to the negotiating table, together with concerned stakeholders and authorities, in order to engage in dialogue and seek a peaceful path for coexistence and reconciliation. Innocent civilian lives should not be threatened or used in the conflict.

NCCI calls upon all communities to exercise restraint, uphold human dignity, and cooperate in restoring peace and harmony in the region.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Best Wishes

Rev. Dr. Asir Abenezer

General Secretary, NCCI

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NCCI Strongly Condemns the Ambush on Pastors and Church Workers in Manipur

The National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) expresses deep shock, grief, and anguish over the reported ambush on pastors and church workers from the Kuki community who were returning to Kangpokpi from Churachandpur on 13 May 2026 after attending the United Baptist Convention Assembly. The tragic incident, in which three pastors lost their lives on the spot and others sustained severe injuries, has caused immense pain and sorrow to the Christian community across the country and to all peace-loving people.

At this hour of unbearable suffering and mourning, the NCCI stands in solidarity with the bereaved families, the injured, and the suffering people. We extend our heartfelt condolences and assure them of our prayers, support, and accompaniment during this dark and painful time. We fervently pray that God may grant strength to the grieving families, healing to the injured, and comfort to all those affected by this horrific violence.

The NCCI vehemently and unequivocally condemns this brutal and inhuman act of violence against church leaders and servants of God. Such atrocities are beyond words and constitute a grave assault not only on human dignity and life, but also on the sacred mission of peacebuilding, reconciliation, and communal harmony tirelessly pursued by church leaders and faith communities. Violence of this nature threatens the very foundation of peaceful coexistence and deeply wounds the conscience of society.

The NCCI further reiterates its urgent call for peace, justice, and restoration in Manipur by appealing to the Government of India, the Government of Manipur, law enforcement agencies, and all concerned authorities to conduct an immediate, impartial, and transparent investigation into this heinous incident. Those responsible for these atrocities and acts of violence must be identified, held accountable, and prosecuted in accordance with the rule of law. Silence and impunity in the face of such violence will only deepen fear, mistrust, and instability in the region.

The NCCI also earnestly appeals to all communities and citizens to reject hatred and violence, and instead uphold the values of peace, dialogue, justice, and mutual respect. At this critical moment, the NCCI calls upon religious leaders, civil society organizations, and all people of goodwill in Manipur to work collectively toward the restoration of peace, justice, and human dignity with greater resolve.

The NCCI mourns with the grieving families and prays that the souls of the departed may rest in eternal peace. May God’s justice prevail, and may the peace of God heal the wounded land and its people.

With prayers and heartfelt condolences,

Rev. Dr. Asir Ebenezer
General Secretary
National Council of Churches in India (NCCI)

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Urgent Call for Peace, Justice, and Restoration in Manipur

The National Council of Churches in India (NCCI), representing over 14 million Protestant and Orthodox Christians across the country, joins the suffering people of Manipur in expressing profound anguish and grave concern over the protracted ethnic conflict in the state, which now marks three years since 3 May 2023, with no meaningful restoration of peace, justice, and normalcy.
The recent escalation of violence since early February 2026 between the Tangkhul Naga and the Kuki communities in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts is particularly alarming and worrisome, given that these communities had maintained peaceful coexistence and neutrality during the earlier phase of ethnic conflict in 2023. It is concerning that such developments carry the risk of reigniting painful memories of past conflicts—marked by suffering, loss, and deep societal fractures.
It is painful to see that the ongoing violence has resulted in severe humanitarian consequences, including loss of innocent lives, large-scale displacement, destruction of homes and livelihoods, and profound psychological trauma among the civilians. Such incidents are clear indicators of a serious erosion of the rule of law and a direct affront to the principles of human dignity, security, justice, and peace that underpin both constitutional democracy and Christian faith.
The NCCI stands in solidarity with all those affected by this grave crisis—especially the bereaved families, the women, the children, the persons with disabilities, and the elderly—and assures continued prayers, support, and a steadfast commitment to the restoration of peace, justice, healing, and reconciliation between communities in Manipur.
Appeal to the Government of India and the Government of Manipur
The NCCI unequivocally calls upon the Government of India and the Government of Manipur and all authorities concerned to halt further escalation of violence and act with sincerity, responsibility, urgency, and impartiality to restore peace, justice, and normalcy. It further urges National and State leaders to address the following important concerns.
1. Immediate and Accountable Intervention
Decisive and sincere intervention is urgently required to de-escalate the conflict and restore law and order without delay. Governance must be guided by constitutional responsibility, placing the protection of the fundamental rights of every citizen—life, dignity, equality, and security—above all political considerations. Immediate and firm action must be taken to identify and regulate armed groups and militias, ensuring strict compliance with the rule of law and government agreements to prevent further violence against civilians.
2. Impartial Security Measures
All Central and State security forces must be mandated to operate with strict neutrality, professionalism, and accountability. Civilian protection must be prioritised, and public confidence in institutions must be restored through transparent action.
3. Swift and Impartial Justice Delivery
The rule of law must be strengthened by ensuring prompt, transparent, and impartial investigation and prosecution of all acts of violence. Justice delayed risks deepening mistrust, eroding public confidence, and perpetuating instability.
4. Inclusive Peace Process
A transparent, inclusive, and participatory dialogue process engaging all communities and stakeholders must be initiated. Such a process must be credible and oriented towards long-term reconciliation, justice, and sustainable peace.
5. Dignified Rehabilitation for IDPs
The Government must move beyond assurances. Immediate and sustained measures should be undertaken for the safe and dignified rehabilitation of internally displaced persons (IDPs). Access to healthcare, livelihood opportunities, and uninterrupted education for children must be ensured. Special attention must also be extended to displaced persons in metropolitan areas to ensure conditions necessary to live with dignity and security.
Appeal to the People and Communities of Manipur
The NCCI sincerely appeals to the leaders of all three major ethnic communities—Meitei, Naga, and Kuki-Zo communities.
• Cessation of Violence and Pathways for Dialogue:

All forms of violence and incitement must cease immediately. Continued conflict only deepens human suffering and weakens the social fabric of society. A sincere, constructive, and respectful process of dialogue must be actively pursued to rebuild trust and restore peaceful coexistence.

• Refraining from the Spread of Hatred and Misinformation:

The dissemination of hatred, misinformation, and division must be firmly restrained, as they exacerbate tensions and hinder peacebuilding efforts. All stakeholders are encouraged to promote responsible communication that fosters understanding, mutual respect, and harmony.
The NCCI reiterates that sustainable peace cannot be achieved through force, exclusion, or division, but only through justice, mutual respect, forgiveness, and collective responsibility. At this critical juncture, the leadership of the Nation, the Government of Manipur, and all community leaders—including civil society and church organization—are urged to act with courage, moral clarity, and compassion to end the violence, restore justice, and rebuild peace.
The NCCI affirms its full support for all efforts toward peace and reconciliation undertaken by the government, civil society, and church organizations.

With prayers and best wishes

Rev. Dr. Asir Ebenezer
General Secretary, NCCI

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On War and Peace – NCCI in Solidarity with Pope Leo XIV

Issued in solidarity with all who suffer in conflict

The National Council of Churches in India (NCCI), encouraged by it’s constituent the Christian Union of India (CUI), jointly and unreservedly affirm the bold and prophetic witness of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV in speaking truth to power in the face of escalating global conflict, and in calling the nations of the world to the way of reconciliation, peace and the sanctity of every human life.

In a world under the convulsions of war — where the powerful invoke the name of God to justify devastation, where the language of faith is co-opted to bless weapons and silence conscience — the voice of the Holy Father has rung out with the clarity of the Gospel. In declaring that he does not fear those who would silence the Church’s witness for peace, Pope Leo has stood in the great tradition of Christian prophetic courage: rooted not in political calculation, but in the call of Christ himself.

Joining leaders of different faiths, the World Council of Churches in a joint statement said, “We commit to mobilizing our religious communities to serve as peacemakers, including reaching across conflict lines to fellow religious leaders. We will stand with all who suffer—Palestinian, Iranian, Lebanese, Israeli, peoples of the Gulf States, and others—until violence ends and a just peace is secured.”

We mourn with all those who mourn. We stand in solidarity with the people of Iran, with the long-suffering people of Gaza, with the citizens of Lebanon, with every civilian caught in the crossfire of ambition and ideology, with refugees driven from their homes and their homelands, with families who grieve losses no political declaration will restore. Their suffering is not collateral damage. They are the children of God, and the earth cries out for them.

We are deeply troubled by the spectacle of leaders invoking divine sanction for acts of war, dressing conquest in the garments of righteousness, and turning the cross — symbol of suffering love — into a banner of domination. We recall the words of the Prophet Isaiah, whom Pope Leo has himself cited: “Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen — your hands are full of blood.” The God revealed in Jesus Christ is not the patron of empires. He is the God who became a refugee in Egypt, who was executed by an occupying power, and who rose to pronounce not vengeance but peace.

We call upon the governments of the world, and especially those engaged in or enabling armed conflict, to heed the counsel of the international community, to honour the principles of international humanitarian law, to pursue without precondition the path of dialogue and diplomacy, and to protect civilian lives. We call upon people of faith everywhere to resist the seduction of nationalism dressed as religion, and to recover the radical, peaceable witness of the Gospel.

We affirm that the Church — in all its expressions — is not called to be the chaplain of any nation-state. It is called to be the Body of Christ in the world: a community of reconciliation, a voice for the voiceless, a presence that holds the possibility of another way. In that conviction, we stand with all who, at cost to themselves, continue to say: there is a better way.

May the God of all peace, expressed together as the Triune God, grant wisdom to those who govern, courage to those who speak, and comfort to those who suffer. And may the prayer of our Lord be, at last, fulfilled: that we may all – all of humanity and the whole created order – be one.
 
 
Rev. Dr. Asir Ebenezer

General Secretary,
National Council of Churches in India

14th April 2026

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AN OPEN LETTER TO THE PARLIAMENTARIANS

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To,

The Honourable Parliamentarians 
Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha.

Respected People’s representatives – Members of both houses of the Parliament,

Sub: Request to speak up against the proposed FCRA Amendment Bill 2026 cleared by the Union Cabinet and sought to be introduced in the Parliament in this session – reg.

  1. We bring to you a matter of grave concern on behalf of the Churches, Councils and the Organisations that we represent as the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI), representing the religious aspirations of at least 48 to 49% of the counted population of Christians in India belonging to all the mainline and historic Protestant and Orthodox Christian traditions/ denominations. The Council was established in 1914, and has been serving the Churches and Christian Organisations in its Mission to the Nation since then. You will agree that the contribution of the Christian Community to Nation Building is immense. 
  2. The FCRA Amendment bill 2026 is sought to be introduced shortly before the Honourable members in the Parliament for, among other things, primarily creating a ‘designated authority’ for the vesting of the assets of the organisations that have for one reason or the other been denied renewal of it’s registration under the FCRA. This is a matter of grave concern. 
  3. The Act which is sought to be amended itself is found wanting on many counts. This has been raised in many fora, also in both houses of the Parliament. The Act does not provide scope for any opportunity to prove oneself before rejecting the application, which has be contested as being against the principle of natural justice. Appeals are routinely rejected. Furthermore, the Act renders an organisation ineligible to receive foreign funding if one or more of the Trustees have just pending litigation against them (not conviction), while the same is not a disqualification for even holding important constitutional offices.
  4. We also respectfully submit that the many cases of rejection of renewal applications are on technical aspects and not all on malafide intentions. Many an application can be restored if only the Government of India sets up a technical facilitation/ assistance cell to assist in compliance, without rushing into criminalising acts that have no malafide intent, and pronouncing judgement even without an opportunity for trial. 
  5. This being so, it fails logic and understanding as to how the assets of organisations unjustly penalised under a law that needs to be challenged, and purportedly now ‘vested’ with the Government of India, be ‘appropriated for utilisation as deemed necessary’ with such haste; albeit under not so well conceived and hurriedly put together mechanisms and processes. In the context of organisations managed by minority communities it can also be construed as violating Articles 25, 26 and 30 of the Constitution of India which provides rights to administer and manage its affairs and institutions.
  6. The reduction in penalty from five to one year prison term and the exemption provided to worship places do not merit any positive acknowledgement as they put the cart before the horse and further complicate the matter, particularly with regard to social services rendered from worship spaces and vice versa, and the authority vested with power to decide the nature of the primary utilisation of the said space both with regard to its usage and the quantum of foreign contribution in case of mixed funding.
  7. Most importantly, apart from the interests of the organisations that will lose their assets and funds, a consequential and lasting effect will be evidenced in the permanent denial of access to education and health, as well as to linkage with government entitlements, for people in remote locations for whom NGO services become the only last-mile connectivity to the government schemes and to the outside world. This in turn will negatively impact national building and the achievement of the National Goals and Targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to which the social sector has immensely contributed.
  8. It will not be out of place to mention here that many of the assets (including the funds in bank accounts) that will now be utilised/ managed by the Government of India through the ‘designated authority’, could possibly have emanated and transferred through proper channels from the exchequers (tax money) of friendly countries for the welfare of the people of India, opening up possibilities for litigations of different proportions and loss of credibility of the jurisprudence of our respected and Honourable lawmakers.

Under the circumstances, we urge the Honourable Parliamentarians to represent the concerns herein mentioned and reject the proposed FCRA Amendment Bill 2026, and call for further study and public scrutiny through a JPC or Commission of Experts before it is introduced in the Parliament or incorporated into the Act.

We remain committed to serving the people of our dear motherland, after the manner of Jesus who gave his life for the least, the last and the lost. With or without assistance from across the borders our work to establish the rights of people falling through the gaps of ‘development’ and advocate to enhance the quality of life of the marginalised communities all over the country will remain non-negotiable. 

We will continue to strive tirelessly, along side everyone including the government agencies, to leave no stone unturned in building a strong India.

We urge your urgent attention to the matter please.

Sincerely yours,

 

Rev. Asir Ebenezer
General Secretary
For and behalf of the National Council of Churches in India.

31st March 2026.

 

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Demand to make Presidential Order 1950 religion-neutral still pending before the Supreme Court …

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The demand to grant Scheduled Caste (SC) status to Dalit Christians and Muslims is currently being heard by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India through multiple petitions.

These cases challenge the discriminatory provision of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 which states that only those persons of SC communities professing the faith of Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism will be entitled to privileges granted to Schedule Caste communities. The Hon’ble Supreme Court has set up a 3 judge bench to hear the batch matters and these are now pending adjudication.

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Adv Prashant Bhushan has strengthened the case by raising important constitutional and human rights concerns. The National Council of Churches in India (NCCI), the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), and few others have also impleaded as party in the case, showing the involvement of the Church in seeking justice for Dalit Christians.

At the same time, the Government of India has appointed the K. G. Balakrishnan Commission to study the issue raised in the petitions including the stigma of caste despite conversion and submit a comprehensive report. NCCI along with CBCI, NCDC and many other Dalit Christian groups has submitted reports to the Justice BalaKrishnan Commission in 2025. The Commission is yet to submit its report.

It is important to distinguish these ongoing matters raising important Constitutional issues from the recent judgment in Chinthada Anand vs. State of Andhra Pradesh (2026), which dealt only with the applicability of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in a specific case, and to note that this recent judgement should not ordinarily affect the broader question of SC status for Dalit Christians.

The issue of SC status for persons of SC communities professing Christian faith is still pending before the Hon’ble Supreme Court and the NCCI is committed to get a favourable decision on the matter . . .

Rev. Asir Ebenezer
General Secretary

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Proud to be an Indian, and looking for more . . .

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This time last year the air was agog with proud assertions of how we have grown together as a Sovereign Republic for three quarters of a century. Celebrations were galore on what the country had achieved. We too, those associated with the NCCI, joined our fellow citizens in celebrating and praying together for the ways in which we have flourished and affirmed that we can do much more. We resolved to do better, to be more inclusive, to be less divisive and to cooperate and coordinate with everyone in all that we can be a blessing to the nation.

One year down the line we thank God for the accolades that different people and groups have won for India, be it sportspersons, artistes, writers, policy makers or scientists and soldiers. More Vande Bharats and many kilometres of mettaled roads, new airports, many more schemes for alleviation of poverty by the Union and State Governments – despite situations that we despised there was always something that could make one proud of being an Indian.

According to various reports, India ranks among the top five in the Global Economic Index, standing up as the 4th largest economy in the world; the country stands out in the Emerging Markets Index, Global Innovation Index and the ICT services export index. Its ranking in the AI readiness is steadily increasing. It is said to be 5th in research output worldwide, fourth in science and Technology clusters, 7th in Nuclear capability and is said to have the 4th strongest military worldwide. Indian Universities are among the top 15 in Employability. These and many such rankings do stand the country in good stead amongst her peers in the world stage. These are worth reckoning and could make every Indian proud.

We need to now focus intentionally, and with greater intensity, improving on the Gross Happiness Index (118th amongst 147), Global hunger Index (102 out of 123), Human Development Index (130 out of 193), Gender inequality Index (108th of 193), Rule of Law Index (86 out of 143 countries), Global Peace Index (115 out of 163), World Press Freedom Index (151 out of 180), and in lifting 234 million people out of acute multi-dimensional poverty. The Free Speech Index also shows need for improvement as India stands 24th amongst 33 countries surveyed. India has also been ranking consistently very high on the Social Hostilities Index as well as on the Government Restrictions Index, indicative of a volatile context and contra-indicative of inclusive growth.

As we move on as citizens of this great Republic, even amidst claims of wanting to develop indices of our own, we realise that we need to do more. Riding on the successes in the fronts that we have coped with global parity, we need to work on improving our performances on Human Development, Equity and Freedom indices, as well as addressing the Social Hostilities and Government Restriction Indices that will lift all ‘together and at once’. As citizens belonging to different faiths and ideologies, informed by each other, let us reclaim our Agency in designing our Destiny and in holding our elected representatives and public institutions accountable to ‘we the people of India’.

Long live the Republic !

Jai Hind

Rev. Asir Ebenezer
General Secretary

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Thank You, Hon’ble Prime Minister — Yet, a Call to Speak Up for the Christian community

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The visit of the Hon’ble Prime Minister to the Cathedral Church of the Redemption, New Delhi, on Christmas Day —particularly at a time when attacks on Christians, places of worship, and traditional religious symbols have been reported – can be perceived as a reassuring signal to the Christian community. It can suggest that the Government of the day and the political leadership of the National Democratic Alliance-led Union Government stand with the Christian community of India.

While welcoming this gesture by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) places on record its repeated earnest appeal to the Government of India and its NDA allies to unequivocally distance themselves from acts of violence and intimidation perpetrated by ill-informed miscreants. The NCCI calls upon the Government to condemn such attacks on the Christian community in the strongest possible terms and to initiate suo motu and decisive police action against those responsible. Such steps alone will ensure that the goodwill gestures extended by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on Christmas Day, and by other representatives of the ruling dispensation on various other occasions, are seen as meaningful commitments rather than symbolic appearances.

The NCCI firmly believes that clear and strong statements, coupled with prompt action from the highest authorities of the Government, will send an unambiguous message within the country. At a time when India seeks to emerge as a strong and responsible global economic power, such actions will also reassure the international community that India stands resolutely by its constitutional values and will not allow any individual or group to act with impunity, regardless of political proximity or alignment.

The NCCI expresses its sincere gratitude to all individuals, communities, leaders, and representatives from various political parties and organisations who have stood in solidarity with the Christian community during these difficult times, especially amid the recent attacks around Christmas. We reaffirm the Christian community’s unwavering commitment to work alongside all citizens in building a strong and united India, resisting any attempt from any quarter to undermine the spirit of the nation or its cherished secular character.

Jai Hind. Long live India.

Rev. Asir Ebenezer
General Secretary
National Council of Churches in India (NCCI)

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PAHALGAM: ANOTHER BLOT ON HUMANITY

The National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) expresses its deepest sorrow and unequivocally condemn this heinous act of terror in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of innocent civilians and left many others injured. We believe there is no justification for targeting innocent lives, and such brutality must be met with unwavering resolve and unity.

We stand in unwavering solidarity with the victims and their families, offering our prayers and support in this time of profound grief. Our hearts mourn for those who have lost their lives while seeking rest and beauty in one of the most peaceful corners of our nation.

No faith, tradition, or ideology can ever justify the taking of innocent lives. The ideology of hatred, is a direct affront to the sacredness of life and the divine call to love our neighbors. This tragedy is yet another painful reminder of the urgent need to reject violence and work together—across faiths, cultures, and borders—for a future defined not by fear, but by peace, justice, and mutual respect.

As a nation, we must remain united in our stand against terror. Let us honor the memory of those lost by recommitting ourselves to building a world rooted in compassion, justice, and enduring peace.

We call upon all communities, religious leaders, and political authorities to rise above the situation and recommit to the sacred task of reconciliation with justice. Let this sorrow move us not to despair, but to action—for a world where such violence is no more.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” — Matthew 5:9

May Peace Prevail!

Rev. Dr. Asir Ebenezer

General Secretary

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