Consultation calls for genuine concern for tribal, adivasi problems

Church leaders in India were urged to unite and show genuine concern to the issues of the Tribal, Adivasi and the Indigenous (T/A/I) people - healing and liberating them by re-enacting the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.

At the regional consultation on "Rights of Tribal and Adivasi in India: An Appraisal from Theological and Indian Constitutional Rights", organised by the National Council of Churches in India, Commission on Tribal & Adivasi (NCCI-COT), Churches were urged to be the voice of the voiceless, to the Rights and Dignities of the T/A/I people and their liberation from the clutches of the hierarchical oppression.

The consultation called for their empowerment "to help them stand on their own in order to have their own voice and identities, and to stop the handicapped form of unrealistic and imbalanced way of development policies and projects in all corners of India."

"Inclusiveness is its central focus…. Theology is an attempt on the part of the human to discover and discern God and God's purposes in the world. The experiences of Tribal and Adivasi are important ingredients in this regard. If only we sojourn with them incorporating their eco-friendly life-style to our life, we would be paving the way for making the world a better place to live in," said Rev. Dr. M. Mani Chacko, the Director of Ecumenical Christian Centre (ECC) and the co-host of the consultation.

In his Inaugural address, Dr. H.T.Sangliana (IPS Rtd.), former MP from Bangalore, challenged social workers, church leaders and theologians with the importance of establishing a sustainable development in order to empower the T/A/I peoples in the country.

"The Mission of God should be translated into action and for this it is important to acquire good knowledge of our Rights to make the constitutions of our Land into reality and beneficial for all the citizens," he said.

The key-note address by Dr. C.R. Bijoy dealt with the "Challenges facing the indigenous people from a historical and political perspective".

The consultation gave special attention to by delving into the historical relationship and role of "Mission" and "Theology" and relating it to the "tradition", "modern geo-political context" and "globalisation" approach dictated by market-centered national priorities.

Renowned social leaders and church leaders such as Mr. Edwin Daniel, Adv. Anjna Masih, Dr. R. Mohanraj, Bishop A.S. Hemrom and Rev. Laltlamuana moderated the various sessions.

Adv. Fr. Philomin Raj, Dr. Sarasu Esther Thomas, Dr. K. Krishnan, Dr. Mohan Larbeer and Rev. L.H. Rawsea contributed to the process of deeper thinking and exploration of future action programs from social reality and theological perspectives.