Christian community in Assam seeks government intervention amid rising targeted attacks

GUWAHATI: The Christian community in Assam has appealed to the state government to address rising concerns regarding incidents targeting Christians and their institutions by Hindutva groups.

On Monday (March 11), the United Christian Forum (UCF) Golaghat met with Assam governor Gulab Chand Kataria to submit a memorandum outlining their grievances.

Led by UCF Golaghat president Jidan Aind and secretary Leander Toppo, the organisation stressed the urgent need for government intervention to address the escalating challenges faced by the Christian community in Assam.

The memorandum detailed several distressing incidents, including demands by certain groups to remove tribal Christians from the Scheduled Tribes list, threats to Christian schools regarding religious symbols, and the expulsion of a nun from a bus due to ridicule of her faith.

Additionally, concerns were raised about the proposed Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practices Bill 2024, which Christians fear could be misinterpreted and misused to target their religious practices.

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Expressing profound concern over these developments, the UCF Golaghat urged the Assam government to take decisive measures to curb anti-Christian activities, ensure swift responses from civil and police authorities, and reconsider the use of contentious terms in legislative bills to prevent misinterpretation.

Emphasizing the significant contributions of the Christian community to nation-building, particularly in education, health, and social services, the memorandum reiterated the fundamental right of freedom of religion enshrined in the Indian Constitution.

The UCF Golaghat stressed the importance of maintaining peace, harmony, and coexistence among all religious groups in Assam.

The memorandum also appealed to the Assam government to intervene and safeguard the rights of the Christian community, pledging full cooperation in upholding constitutional guarantees and preserving peace in the region.