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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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Christian Communtiy in India prays to STOP WAR

Sentiments of ‘stop the war, filled the air as representative of the Indian Christian Communities from across the country gathered together in prayer for World Peace. The Ecumenical Prayer for Peace was organised by the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) on the Thursday the 12th of March 2026 in the CNI Cathedral Church of the Redemption, New Delhi

The President of the NCCI HG Geevarghese Mar Yulios opened the prayer with a call to Pray without ceasing as violence and strife emanated from everywhere in all corners of the earth. Through song and prayer the ecumenical community expressed their displeasure at the situation of war or cross border aggression in which almost all countries were either involved or implicated.

     

The Ecumenical Prayer for Peace brought together church leaders and members of the Christian community to pray for peace in the world. This was particularly in the context of the recent developments in the Middle East with regard to the US – Iran conflict.

     

Adv P. Wilson, Member of Parliament RS and Ms Sharon Dass Vice President, NCCI read portions from the Bible. Fr. Norbert Herman, Archdiocese of Delhi, Rev. Edwin John Wesley, age Neral Secretary, Evangelical Church of India, Dr. Bijoy A. Songma, representing World Baptist Alliance and Baptist Church Trust Association, Rev Dr Samuel Richmond, Director of Caleb Institute, Mr. Beivei Konah Simeon, Program Executive Youth Department NCCI, Rev Gershom Khisty, Auxiliary Secretary, North West India & Allahabad Auxiliary BSI prayed.

Dr. Basanti Biswas Principal, Kolkata Girls School, and Vice President NCCI, and Rt Rev Dr Mar Zacharius Aprem, Bishop Diocese of Delhi, Malankara Marthoma Syrian Church brought solidarity messages during the occasion. Choirs of the Manipur Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Salvation Army, the Methodist Church in India, and the Tamil Choir of the Cathedral Church of the Redemption presented songs in different languages expressing solidarity for the cause.

Archbishop Anil Couto, Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India spoke on the occassion. HG Yuhannon Mar Demetrios, President of the North West India Council of Churches brought message from the Word.

Together, the gathering reaffirmed the call to intercede for peace, justice, and reconciliation among nations, particularly in the context of war-torn West Asia. Rev. Jyoti Singh Pillai Executive Secretary NCCI Women Concerns led the worship, while Mr. Anbazhagan, Ms. Sanjukta Mohanty and Ms. Shalini Rajendran of the NCCI National office assisted in organising this important national event. Rev. Dr. A. Joshuva Peter, Treasurer of NCCI, and Rev. Dr. Asir Ebenezer, General Secretary of NCCI graced the occasion and guided the organisers.

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For Your kingdom is not built by swords, But by LOVE.

The National Council of Churches in India (NCCI), representing 19 million of Christians across the breadth of our nation, stands in deep solidarity with all people caught in the rising tide of conflict in West Asia. With sorrowful hearts and prayerful spirits, we raise our collective voice to call for an immediate end to hostilities, the protection of innocent civilian lives, and a return to the path of dialogue, diplomacy, and lasting peace.

We are profoundly troubled by the escalation of military actions and the rhetoric of war that endangers not only the peoples of Iran and the neighboring countries, but the stability of the entire Middle East and the broader world community. War brings immeasurable suffering — to the mother who mourns her child, to the family displaced and stripped of home, to the wounded soldier, and to the generations who inherit trauma and ruins.

As followers of the Prince of Peace, we are called to be peacemakers — not in naivety, but in the courageous belief that human dignity, justice, and reconciliation must triumph over the instruments of violence and domination. The Gospel compels us to speak when silence becomes complicity.

We therefore urgently call upon:

The Government of the United States of America and Isreal to renounce military escalation and pursue meaningful diplomatic engagement with Iran and regional partners, honouring international law and the sovereignty of nations.

The Government of Iran to equally commit to de-escalation, transparency, and good-faith negotiations that address  it’s legitimate Sovereignty and the security concerns of all parties without threatening regional neighbours.

The United Nations and the international community to act with urgency — facilitating ceasefire negotiations, providing humanitarian assistance to affected civilian populations, and holding all parties accountable under international humanitarian law.

The Government of India to use its position as a respected voice in global affairs to advocate actively for peace, mediate dialogue where possible, and protect the Indian diaspora in affected regions.

We also call upon our member churches, Christians throughout India, and all people of goodwill to stand in prayer, to raise their voices in their communities, and to advocate tirelessly for peace. The world does not need more weapons; it needs more bridges, more tables of negotiation, and more hearts turned toward one another in the spirit of shared humanity.

A PRAYER FOR PEACE

O God of all nations and peoples, God of promise, the God who hears the cry of the afflicted, We come before You with heavy hearts.

We grieve the drumbeats of war that echo across the earth, The missiles launched and lives shattered, The mothers weeping, the children fleeing, The ancient cities trembling under the shadow of destruction.

Lord, we confess that we have often chosen power over peace, Pride over humility, fear over faith. Forgive us — nations and people alike — For the arrogance that leads us to war.

We pray for the people of Iran — For every family that trembles tonight, For every young person who does not want war, For every voice of reason silenced by the machinery of conflict. Surround them with Your mercy and protection.

We pray for the people of the United States and Israel  — For wisdom to be granted to those in power, For the courage to choose diplomacy over destruction, For a nation to remember that greatness is not measured in firepower, But in justice, compassion, and the pursuit of peace.

We pray for leaders on every side — Soften the hardened heart, O God. Grant them the grace to see the face of the Other Not as enemy, but as neighbour, as child of God, As one who also bleeds, who also longs for home and safety.

Raise up peacemakers, O Lord — In the halls of power and in the streets, In the churches and mosques, in the schools and homes. Let the voices calling for peace be louder Than the voices calling for war.

We pray for India — our beloved land — That she may be a voice of wisdom and reconciliation, A bridge between peoples, faithful to her heritage of Ahimsa, And to the Gospel of peace entrusted to Your Church.

O Prince of Peace, You who stilled the storm, Still this storm. You who wept over Jerusalem, Weep with us, and then — rise in us, To do the work of peace.

For Your kingdom is not built by swords, But by love — suffering love, reconciling love, Love that lays down its life for the other. May that love — Your love — prevail.  Amen.

National Council of Churhces in India 

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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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Christmas 2025: Nurturing the promise of liberation

Every child has a sparkle in the eye – the promise of a bright future. Those in critical and challenging circumstances and contexts, have this a lot more prominent. When identified and nurtured the promise is sustained and realised.

The Christmas story is one such narrative where a child in a challenging circumstance was acknowledged and affirmed. Thanks to a beleaguered Mary and a battered Joseph, related to each other only on working out God’s purposes for Life, a liberator was born – Hallelujah !

Promises abound, in and around. In every challenging and critical context there are a million liberators. Let us, even as, battered Individuals and groups, and beleaguered communities of faiths and ideologies, affirm and acknowledge such promises in and around us – preserving the legacy that life is born in affliction, persisting in the faith that small beginnings yield big, and persevering in the tradition that serving ‘the least’ is service to God.

Children in conflicts, war zones, displaced communities and contexts, disease and depravity, and in today’s context disenfranchisement; gender non-conforming children, children who are sexually violated – despite attempts to rob them of it, they still have that sparkle in their eye.

We will do well this Christmas to focus on committing afresh to the least of these brothers and sisters and friends of Jesus in nurturing the promise of liberation. While working on changing the world to be a better place, lets begin with and alongside many a ‘Christ-child’ in every context

Unto us a child is born . . . at the first Christmas and always – Hallelujah !

Rev. Asir Ebenezer
General Secretary, NCCI

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Tribute to Mr. Rajakara Rao

With deep sorrow and profound respect, the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) mourns the passing Mr. Rajakara Rao on 2nd December 2025. He was a devoted servant of God and a committed leader of the Convention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars (CBCNC) and also, a General Body Member of the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) for almost 15 years.  

Mr. Rajakara Rao’s life was a testimony of faith, humility, and unwavering dedication to the CBCNC mission and its unity. As a representative of CBCNC, he stood as a bridge-builder between communities, always emphasizing the call of Christ to serve with compassion, justice, and love. His contributions to NCCI will be remembered with gratitude and honor.

We give thanks to God for his fruitful life and faithful service. Though we grieve his loss, we rejoice in the assurance that he now rests in the eternal peace of Christ whom he served so faithfully.

Our heartfelt condolences and prayers are with his family, friends, and the CBCNC community. May God’s comfort and strength surround them during this time of sorrow.

Rev. Asir Ebenezer
General Secretary, NCCI

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India: A Composite Entity with a Plural Identity

The National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) reaffirms that India is a composite entity with a plural identity, shaped by centuries of civilizational encounters, cultural exchange, and religious diversity.

The NCCI expresses deep concern over the recent remarks reportedly made by Shri Mohan Bhagwat, suggesting that India has a single “core” culture that is exclusively Hindu and that there are no “ahindus” in the country. Such a characterization is historically inaccurate and socially divisive. It overlooks the composite fabric of Indian society — a fabric woven through the shared lives, histories, and traditions of numerous communities, belief systems, and linguistic families across the subcontinent.

India’s national identity is not derived from any one religion or culture but from the interweaving of many. The genius of India lies in its ability to integrate difference, not erase it; to affirm diversity, not homogenize it. The secular and democratic framework of the Indian Constitution enshrines this vision by guaranteeing freedom of conscience, faith, and expression to all citizens.

The NCCI therefore urges the Government of India, particularly the Ministry of Culture and allied institutions, to safeguard and promote this pluralistic ethos. Efforts that equate the idea of India with any single religious identity or a core culture undermine the constitutional values of equality and secularism that hold the nation together.

On behalf of the Protestant and Orthodox Christian communities, representing nearly 19 million citizens, the NCCI pledges its commitment to uphold the secular and inclusive character of India. On November 26th — Constitution Day — we call upon all citizens, irrespective of faith or ideology, to join in affirming that we are one in many, and many in one.

India’s strength lies in its unity through diversity — a vision that must continue to inspire and guide the conscience of the nation.

Rev. Asir Ebenezer
General Secretary.

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Persisting in service . . .

On the occasion of completing 78 years as citizens of a free country the Orthodox and Protestant Christian community in India, as always and despite all odds, commits itself to persist in service to the nation.

Recognising the travails and the sacrifices of the generation that lived through the struggles of the freedom movement, we salute the generations of people who continue through toil and struggle to protect the independence that was dearly fought and wrested.

That peoples of all communities, ethnicities and faith affiliations fought shoulder to shoulder in securing freedom from colonial rule is recognised and celebrated. Resisting the occupiers, almost every one celebrated the freedom born at midnight – that which they dreamt of for over a century.

Attacks from all quarters to transgress boundaries of nations abound in different forms and continue to undermine the sovereignty of the peoples of countries around the globe.

In India we have tried to deal with these in the recent past by amending finance laws and those that relate to internal security. We have tried to balance trade deficit ; we have incentivised and promoted in-country manufacturing; we have also tried to step up exports of quality goods and services. We have grown as a major player in the world arena both in economics and in global geo -political positioning.

In the race to emerge as a global player we had to contend with dissatisfaction and discontent back home. In a bid to assert ourselves we passed new stringent legislation and amended old ones to tighten ‘internal security’.

We cannot however escape the truth that this process has unfortunately led to the alienation of the less privileged and minority communities leading to mutual suspicion of communities and a growing mistrust in general. Despite these setbacks communities have held together and faced challenges with greater resolve than ever before.

On the august occasion of the anniversary of the Indian Independence we join all those well meaning citizens of this country, of all faith and ideological communities, in committing to a common future in which no one is left behind and life of every one beginning from the least of all is affirmed to flourishing.

It is our desire that everyone is counted, the rights of all affirmed, justice knows no favourites, all communities are represented proportionately and adequately, and rules are written or rewritten not on majoritarian terms but as just and fair to all.

We commit as citizens first and second to none, wilfully adhering to the Christian faith on account of a constitutional right available to all citizens irrespective of caste and creed, to ‘persist’ in service to all peoples in general and to the last, the least and the lost in particular.

We commit to voice our concern, and add constructively to all similar voices that speak up for the transgressed and the violated. We look for strengthening the role of the masses in governance, the much cherished sovereignty of the least.

We affirm that “nobody’s free unless everybody’s free” (Fannie Lou Hamer). We continue to echo for everyone, with Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, “Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it”.

God bless India

Jai Hind !

Asir Ebenezer
General Secretary NCCI

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Chhattisgarh Nuns Case: Government of India Intervention Sought

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Repeated attempts to secure the release of the arrested nuns in Chhattisgarh have proved futile. Leaders from the Churches in India as well as those in the civil society have condemned the arrest of the two nuns in Chhattisgarh last Friday and demanded their immediate release. The leadership of the National Council of Churches in India echoes these sentiments and calls on the Government of India to hear the call of the Indian Christian Community and URGENTLY intervene in this and several such instances of actions against members of the Christian community, both in the practice of faith and the discharge of their ministerial calling.

It is common knowledge that it is the essential calling of the Christian Communities individually and jointly, also through their Churches and Christian organisations their staff and the faithful, to be involved in such humanitarian work the world over and mostly among communities that are historically discriminated and socially disadvantaged. It is unfortunate that such acts motivated by love for fellow citizens from weak and vulnerable communities, and often aimed at aiding the States initiatives including schemes such as ‘beti balchão beti padao’ to address those who are falling through the gaps, is sought to be criminalised.

Media is filled with news of violence against Christians in different parts of the country. Most of these attacks are on Christians that are simply practicing their religion, the religion of their choice, and congregating in designated places for peaceful conduct of prayers. In almost all cases the Christian Communities have been doing these with no ill-will and within the ambit of the law of the land. It is deplorable that violence is unleashed by ‘mobs’ on such peaceful assembly and practice of faith of one’s choice, oftentimes with the state-machinery standing by as helpless onlookers or silently consenting. It is even more distressing to see women and children being attacked.

More and more states, the latest being the state of Maharashtra, threaten to and eventually enact laws to ‘protect’ Freedom of Religion and Belief. These, adding to those that already exist in 11 states across the country have only alienated minority communities further, and provided ammunition for harassment of the community often in the hands of mobs aided by the absence of the state in the active discharge of it’s duties to protect the attacked.

The long-standing issue of making the 1950 Presidential order religion-neutral, the evading peace in the state of Manipur which continues to be detrimental to the Christian Community, delayed filling of vacancies in the Minorities related Commissions continue to be issues that the Christian community is affected with. Calls to rein in leaders who delivered inflammatory hate speeches against Christians also were not heeded to.

The National Council of Churches in India the official mandated body representing the Protestant and Orthodox Churches in India is deeply committed in engaging with the Government in finding a solution to these vexed issues of communities blaming each other and the minorities among them being harassed. We urge the Government of India to address and contain all forces that seek to polarise religious communities and work on synergising the strengths of organisations of religious and social communities in achieving a higher index of Gross National Happiness and thereby better economic growth and eradication of poverty, malnutrition and hunger reflected in all social parameters and their indicators.

We urge the Government of India, one more time, to engage with the official bodies of the Christian communities in India such as the National Council of Churches in India and it’s sister bodies to deal substantially and conclusively with all outstanding issues relating to christians, in order that the credibility of this nation’s plural being and it’s ethos of unity in diversity is further affirmed and celebrated. We stand committed as always to the growth of the nation and her people, and to the express resolve of the Governments for inclusive growth and building a strong future for the people of India.

God bless India. May the current session of the Parliament bring prosperity and peace to all peoples of the land. We look forward to the IMMEDIATE release of the arrested sisters, and all others in custody for the practice of their Chrsitian faith and discharge of their responsibilities in Christian mission.

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