An interfaith rally appealing for the end of violence and initiatives for dialogue was taken out today in Imphal.
Approximately around 500 people belonging to diverse religious traditions, ethnic and spiritual communities actively participated in the rally, expressing their voices against the continuing violence, for saving lives and humanity, and for initiatives for dialogue, etc.
The rally was organised by the Interfaith Forum for Peace and Harmony, Manipur (IFPH). Five MPs from Kerala and Tamil Nadu also joined the rally to express their solidarity.
Addressing the media on the campus of Bal Vidya Mandir, Deben Bachaspatimayum, IFPH convenor, said people of all ages and sex who participated in the rally are concerned citizens of India who also represent the core values of humanity across diverse religious, faiths and spiritual communities in the state.
Bachaspatimayum added that the rally was to collectively mourn the death of over a hundred precious lives in strife-torn Manipur, pray for healing for the thousands who have been injured physically and mentally by the trauma and those who have been orphaned and displaced, to share collective empathy and solidarity with the victims, and support the women’s organisations and senior citizens’ groups that have been calling for a ceasefire and dialogue.
The forum considers it a moral, social and historical responsibility to make a collective humble appeal to all concerns including state and non-state parties to stop the violence immediately, create safe spaces and social infrastructure to build trust and confidence across the divide, and initiate inclusive and sustained dialogue by using neutral and professional groups.
Members of the forum comprised various groups, such as the local Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, ISKCON, Jain, and Hindu organisations from Meitei, Naga and cross-cultural groups.
