Nagaland assembly voices concern over Assam bill against ‘magical healing’
Dimapur: The Nagaland assembly on Friday voiced concern over the Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practices Bill, 2024.
Deliberating under Rule 50 on the last day of the fourth session of the 14th Nagaland assembly, deputy chief minister TR Zeliang criticised the bill, alleging it undermines secularism and targets Christian practices.
He flayed the bill's restriction on healing practices by Christian missionaries, saying healing is integral to the Christian faith which is protected under constitutional rights
Zeliang said Assam's diversity mirrors India's secular fabric while emphasizing coexistence among religions in the Northeast.
He condemned alleged religious intolerance incidents in Assam, including detentions of American citizens for alleged Christian preaching and demands to remove Christian symbols from schools.
Zeliang urged the Assam government to revoke the bill, calling it a threat to India's secular principle. Highlighting constitutional guarantees of religious autonomy, he urged the Assam government to respect minority rights and repeal the “contentious bill”.
He also proposed conveying the Nagaland assembly's opposition to the bill to the Assam assembly.
Participating in the discussion, tourism and higher education minister Temjen Imna Along said it is within the Nagaland legislature's rights to appeal to the Assam government to convey its concern over the bill and assert faith-based practices.
He also asked whether this legislation targets a specific minority community.
Along urged his fellow legislators to critically examine the intentions of the bill and inquire if it unjustly discriminates against any particular religious group.
He also urged them not to rush in condemning the bill, and instead called for a diplomatic approach, suggesting that they present their concerns and opinions to the Assam government.
Emphasising that the misuse of faith has occurred across religious communities, he reminded the House of the importance of maintaining a fair and inclusive approach.
He further appealed to the Christian brothers and sisters residing in Assam to seek guidance from the Assam chief minister.
Underscoring the need for peace, he said it is a matter of utmost significance not only for Nagaland but also for the entire nation.
MLA Dr Sukhato Sema said the bill negates the secular ideals enshrined in the preamble of the Constitution.
He added that secularism in India not only implies the existence of diverse religious communities but also the separation of religion from state power.
“If the state infringes on religious freedom of citizens through controversial laws then the fate of secularism is at stake,” Sema said.
Adviser Kudecho Khamo called the terms used in the bill 2024 as incorrect and misleading. He said the bill is a direct violation and infringement of the Constitution and against the fundamental principles of secularism.
Khamo also said instead of bringing out such a bill, the Assam government should appreciate the contributions of the Christians.