New Delhi: The greatness of secularism should be upheld at all costs, and nobody should be allowed to subvert the lofty principles of secularism, said Chevalier Adv V C Sebastian, Secretary, Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) Council for Laity. He added that making friends with internal terrorism to fight global terrorism is suicidal.

Sri. Sebastian continued: It is quite alarming that various forms of global terrorist movements are getting strong in various States in India. That the roots of the massacre of Christians in West Asian countries and the terrorist attacks on Easter Day in Sri Lanka are growing deeper in Kerala is quite shocking. Current events and reports confirm that following Kashmir, Kerala is becoming the hub of national terrorism. That the administrative and political leadership of the country which should ensure peace and security of the people is turning out to be a miserable failure in taking up a bold stance against terrorism, is quite sad and disappointing.

It is the duty of all religious and irreligious groups of India to maintain and ensure secularism across the country. This is a constitutional imperative of all people. Indians should deeply imbibe the spirit of the constitution which guarantees equality of rights and justice to all. We have the “freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion”. Terrorism is getting stronger day by day despite proclaiming peace and non-violence and it is our duty to resist its strengthening. That the administrative setup is getting weak and helpless in front of the organized strength of terrorist movements is quite conspicuous. Recent reports point out that terrorism in different forms and shapes is making incursions into the administrative system of the country as well.

The Laity Council of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India has announced  a national level propaganda and awareness program against terrorism. The Council requests all popular movements and organisations in India to join up with it. On 15 August, the 75th anniversary of India’s independence, the Laity Council will launch campaign pledging peace and non-violence across the country. Adv Sebastian added that besides Christian organizations and institutions, various other movements would participate in this nation-wide anti-terrorist programme.