A "deep sense of insecurity" has seized Christians, Meghalaya church leaders on Jan. 31 told Congress president Rahul Gandhi, exposing the recent reports of attacks on minority institutions across the country.
During his two-day visit to the state to campaign for the 60-member Meghalaya assembly elections on February 27, Gandhi met with church representatives.
Church representatives of the indigenous Seng Khasi and other minority groups said they were particularly worried about "intolerance" towards one's food habits, language and culture.
"We expressed our concern with the kind of ideology that is being imposed, which is a danger. We have to grow together and respect everybody," said Bishop Michael of the Church of North India (CNI).
The concerns about religious insecurity prevailing in India were brought to light.
"We expressed our feelings of insecurity as minority religious groups in this country under the current dispensation," said Rev. G. S. Lyttan, Presbyterian Church of India leader.
"We feel we need political protection in the Centre and states," he added.
