ON July 16, 2023, more than 3000 people, mostly Christians, gathered in Madurai to participate in a procession organised by the Tamil Nadu Platform for People's Unity (TNPPU) voicing their demand for peace in Manipur and an end to violence, particularly directed at Christian minorities. Despite heavy rain, people persevered and continued to walk in the procession, bravely raising slogans against the violence in Manipur and condemning both the central and state governments for their inability to curb the unrest. The procession was led by Prof. Arunan, the coordinator of TNPPU, Henry Thipen, director of People's Watch, Abdul Samad, general secretary of MNMK, Bala Bharathi, former MLA and secretariat member of CPI(M), along with Bishop Antony Pappu Swamy and Bishop Jeysingh Prince Prabhakar of CSI. Also present were T Nagaran, deputy mayor of Madurai, Karthikeyan of INC, Selva Gomathi of Chocko Trust, Lenin of CITU, and several others.

The public meeting was presided over by Jayachandran, the coordinator of Madurai Town TNPPU, with Vijayrajan extending a warm welcome. Prof. Arunan voiced deep concerns, stating that Manipur had transformed into a graveyard. Recent developments saw the vice president of the BJP in Mizoram stepping down from the party, attributing the alleged torching of numerous churches to the BJP government. Despite the gravity of these accusations, BJP leaders chose to maintain a disturbing silence, prompting Prof. Arunan to call for Amit Shah's resignation over the government's failure to address the issue.

Bala Bharathi lauded the people who braved heavy rain for attending the meeting. Amidst Manipur's turmoil, our prime minister is abroad on tour, visiting countries like America and France, while remaining conspicuously silent on the situation back home, a truly shameful stance as his own country's people face such violence. She brought attention to the disturbing fact that the chief minister of Manipur seems to be instigating the violence, further exacerbating the already critical situation. Drawing parallels to the tragic events in Gujarat in 2002, where Muslims suffered greatly due to government-supported violence, she expressed concern that a similar scenario is unfolding in Manipur. She expressed solidarity with Manipur and criticised Annamalai, the state president of BJP, for organising a padayatra in Tamil Nadu while Manipur is burning.

Prof. MH Jawahirullah, president of MNMK, accused the BJP government of perpetrating violence against minority Christians, leading to the burning of hundreds of churches and a collapse of law and order.

On July 11, a demonstration was held at Valluvar Kottam in Chennai, chaired by G Udaya Kumar, TNPPU coordinator. The event saw the presence of leaders from various parties and organisations, including A Soundararajan (CPIM), Andal Priyadarshini (DMK), MH Jawahirullah (MNMK), U Balaraman (INC), Ibnu Soud (Milli Council), S Kumar (Chennai Makkal Medai), Father M C Rajan, and K Balakrishnan (Suyatchi Iyakkam). A Soundararajan stressed the significance of communal harmony and understanding. Additionally, over 2000 Christians participated in a procession and demonstration organised by the Tiruvannamalai district unit of TNPPU, under the leadership of Ramadoss. Furthermore, other district units of TNPPU also coordinated demonstrations in collaboration with Christian groups in their respective regions.

Manipur has been engulfed in flames for over two months now, and it is evident that such prolonged riots can only persist with government support, which appears to be the case here. The civil administration in Manipur is woefully inadequate, and without effective governance, the army's actions are rendered ineffective, exacerbating the situation. Tragically, the past two months have witnessed hundreds of lives brutally taken, over 300 churches demolished, and nearly one lakh people seeking refuge in military camps. The escalating hostility among various groups, especially between the tribal Kukis and the Meitis residing in the plain areas, is a cause for grave concern.

During Modi's tenure as chief minister of Gujarat, over 3000 Muslims lost their lives, and he remained silent about it. Hindus should contemplate the reality that the Sangh Parivar group does not genuinely represent Hinduism; instead, their priorities appear to lean towards brahminism and caste fanaticism. In Kashmir, the BJP government has been accused of instigating violence, and now the Pandits have come to realise that Sangh Parivar groups are the true cause of the violent disturbances. Consequently, they are holding the BJP accountable for the situation.

In Manipur, there are allegations that the BJP, in its bid to retain power, is inciting communal violence. Corporates are reportedly supporting the BJP government to exploit the region's natural resources, with the BJP's assistance in removing tribal communities from the area. Tragically, minority Christians have become victims of the violence, facing looting of their houses, shops, and properties. BJP government should step down from its ruling position in the state.