Solidarity Pledged for Migrants in Simla-Chandigarh Diocese Seminar

Chandigarh, August 24, 2025 – A seminar on the situation of migrants in the Simla-Chandigarh Diocese brought together about 100 migrant men and women at St. Ann’s School Auditorium, Chandigarh. The event provided a platform for migrants to reflect on their struggles, share experiences, and explore ways of building solidarity.

The programme opened with a welcome by Fr. Kishore Toppo, Secretary of the Commission for Migrants, who urged participants to enter the seminar with openness and to see it as an opportunity for hope and transformation.

Delivering the inaugural message, Fr. Titus Babu, Director of Social Service, highlighted the importance of migrants sharing their stories and shaping a collective response. He stressed that the Church’s mission goes beyond relief to empowering migrants to live with dignity and justice.

Adv. Sr. Rani Punnasseril HCM, Secretary of the Commission for Migrants (National Region), underlined the constitutional right to freely practise one’s religion and encouraged migrants to celebrate their faith with confidence. She called for greater participation in parishes and community structures to secure entitlements, and emphasised the significance of observing the World Day of Migrants and Refugees. Sr. Rani also spoke about the CCBI Commission for Migrants’ interventions across India with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees.

Human rights activist Mr. Nirmal Gorana, founder of the Mehnatkash Association, exposed the grim realities of trafficking and bonded labour. Citing years of fieldwork, he shared that nearly 25,000 bonded labourers had been rescued from Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jammu, and Himachal Pradesh. He acknowledged the role of the CCBI Commission for Migrants in these operations and urged participants to raise their voices against exploitation while stressing the need for documented migration to prevent abuse.

In the concluding session, Sr. Mary Colaco DHM, Secretary of the Commission for Women, presented the Pravasi Bandhu initiatives. She underlined the Church’s commitment to supporting migrant families, particularly women and children facing multiple vulnerabilities. Sharing practical examples, she explained how pastoral care, community networks, and awareness programmes are being developed to ensure migrants’ safety and dignity.

The seminar featured interactive discussions where migrants openly voiced their experiences and concerns. By its close, participants expressed a strong resolve to stand together, organise for their rights, and defend the dignity and justice due to every migrant.

By Fr. Kishore Toppo

Download Catholic Connect App for Daily News Updates: 

Android: Click here to download

iOS: Click here to download