India archbishop served notice
World Watch Monitor December 1, 2017
Christian groups have rallied behind Archbishop Thomas Macwan, Gujarat state in western India, after the federal Election Commission served a notice on him for his pastoral letter ahead of state elections this month. Gujarat is the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“The secular and democratic fabric of our country is at stake. Human rights are being violated. Not a single day goes without an attack on our churches, faithful or institutions,” Archbishop Macwan said in his pastoral letter on 21 November.
The Election Commission served a notice on Macwan, asking him why his appeal should not be viewed as a violation of the Model Code of Conduct for the election.
Samson Christian, an outspoken Christian activist based in Gujarat, told World Watch Monitor “this is the first time the Hindu nationalists are targeting the church leader to polarise the Hindu voters” ahead of the election.
“Archbishop Macwan has all the right to protect the people and ask them to pray,” added Samson. “The complaint against the archbishop is politically motivated.”