A Cry for Justice and True Peace

“Give justice to the weak and the orphan; maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” ~ Psalm 82:3-4 (NRSV)

Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, as we come together with heavy hearts, we grieve the suffering and loss of innocent lives in Kangpokpi. On a day when the world was celebrating International Women’s Day, scores of Kuki women bore the brunt of violence at the hands of central security forces. One life, Mr. Lalgun Singsit of Keithelmanbi, was tragically cut short due to bullet wounds. The actions of the authorities, under the guise of restoring peace, have instead deepened wounds and ignited further resistance among the Kuki people.

In times like these, we turn to the Word of God, seeking guidance, comfort, and justice. Psalm 82:3-4 calls us to give justice to the weak, to uphold the rights of the oppressed, and to rescue the needy from the hands of the wicked. This passage is not just a poetic prayer but a divine mandate -- a call to action for those who believe in a just and righteous God.

The Illusion of Peace Without Justice

The situation in Manipur exposes a deep and painful reality -- there can be no true peace without justice. The forced entry of MST buses into Kuki areas under the pretext of peace and normalcy, despite the lack of dialogue or resolution between Kuki and Meitei leaders, is not a step towards healing but an act of coercion. The so-called “double-engine government” has used force rather than understanding, oppression rather than reconciliation. But can peace ever be built upon the suffering of the innocent?

The Bible teaches us that peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of justice. Jeremiah 6:14 warns against superficial solutions: “They have treated the wound of my people carelessly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace.” Any attempt to impose peace without addressing the wounds and grievances of the people is like covering a deep wound with a thin bandage—it will not heal but will fester.

God’s Heart for the Oppressed

Throughout Scripture, we see God’s unwavering concern for the oppressed. Jesus Himself stood with the marginalized, defended the voiceless, and confronted unjust authorities. When an adulterous woman was about to be stoned, Jesus challenged the hypocrisy of her accusers (John 8:1-11). When the poor and outcast were overlooked, Jesus embraced them with love and dignity. Today, as our Kuki women and brothers face injustice, we must remember that God is on the side of the afflicted.

Psalm 34:18 reminds us: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” The death of Mr. Lalgun Singsit is not unnoticed by God. The tears and pain of our people are not ignored in heaven. The cries of the innocent are heard, and God's justice will prevail in His time.

A Call to Stand for Justice and Hope

As Christians, our faith calls us to speak up for truth, to stand with the oppressed, and to pursue justice. Proverbs 31:8-9 commands us: “Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.” 

We must pray, but we must also act. We must seek peace, but not at the cost of silence in the face of injustice. The Church must be a prophetic voice, echoing the cries of the afflicted and demanding accountability from those in power.

Brothers and sisters, let us not lose hope. Though darkness surrounds us, God is still at work. The resurrection of Christ reminds us that suffering is not the end -- justice and restoration will come. As we mourn, let us also stand firm in faith, knowing that our God is a God of justice, righteousness, and true peace. Have a Blessed Sunday!

~ TBCD NEWSLETTER | 09.03.2025

Share: