Progressive Christian Alliance Observes Indigenous Peoples Day, Urges Unity and Rights Protection

Chattisgarh, August 8, 2025– The Progressive Christian Alliance (PCA) has marked the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples by joining hands with Indigenous communities across India to honour their heritage and reaffirm their constitutional, cultural, and human rights.

Calling the day “a clarion call” rather than a mere symbolic gesture, the PCA urged recognition of the historic struggles, resilience, and contributions of Adivasi and tribal peoples, the original custodians of India’s forests, lands, and natural resources.

Historic Ties Between Christian Missionaries and Tribal Communities

The PCA recalled that from the 19th century onwards, Christian missionaries played a major role in tribal regions, including central India, the Northeast, and the Nilgiris. While their mission was rooted in faith, their work extended far beyond evangelism.

Mission schools, often teaching in local dialects, brought formal education to tribal youth. Mission-run clinics and hospitals reached deep into remote areas, improving maternal health and reducing child mortality. Missionaries also supported tribals in understanding and asserting land rights, resisting exploitation under colonial and postcolonial land acquisition regimes.

While acknowledging critiques of missionary activity, the PCA said that in many regions, Christian engagement uplifted the most marginalised through education, healthcare, and advocacy for dignity.

Rising Divisions

The alliance expressed concern over growing polarisation between Christian and non-Christian tribals, blaming socio-political manipulation, identity politics, and communalisation of tribal spaces. Misunderstandings, often fuelled by external actors, have strained relationships between communities with shared histories.

The PCA warned that these divisions undermine religious freedom guaranteed under Article 25 of the Constitution, threaten the secular autonomy provided in the Fifth and Sixth Schedules, and erode a collective indigenous identity that transcends religious differences.

Call for Peacebuilding

The PCA emphasised that true tribal solidarity must be built on shared struggles against displacement, land loss, economic marginalisation, and ecological destruction. It called for:

• Interfaith and intercommunity dialogues led by tribal elders, youth, and civil society.
• Joint cultural festivals honouring both traditional and Christian tribal heritage.
• Dispute resolution rooted in tribal customary law and constitutional values.
• Legal workshops on the Forest Rights Act (2006), PESA (1996), and the SC/ST Atrocities Act.

Commitment to Inclusion

“As followers of Christ, who stood with the oppressed and excluded, we recognise the pain of division and the urgency of reconciliation,” the PCA said. It affirmed that Christian tribals are no less indigenous than their non-Christian counterparts.

The alliance pledged to advocate for inclusive tribal rights, oppose hate-driven narratives targeting Christians, and work with Adivasi-led movements for ecological justice and cultural dignity.

Concluding its message, the PCA stated: “Justice, peace, and solidarity are possible only when all tribal communities – Christian and non-Christian alike – stand together.” It extended greetings and best wishes to Indigenous peoples across India on this occasion.

By Pastor Simon Digbal

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