SHILLONG, Jan 3: The Catholic Association of Shillong has denounced the recent notification of the Special Branch of Assam Police inquiring about religious conversions and the number of churches in neighbouring Assam.
A statement issued by different Catholic organisations in Shillong said the content of the letter conveyed the Assam government’s mindset about Christian minorities in the state.
“The seven particulars sought by the department specifically targeting Christians in the state by asking for details on the number of new churches established during the last one year, allotted land for construction and key persons associated with the church, instances of conversion in the last six years, list of existing churches, community, area and other patterns associated with religious conversion, the identity of pivotal persons and status of police cases are nothing short of attempts to intimidate and threaten the community at large,” the statement said.
Pointing out that Articles 25, 26, 27 and 28 of the Constitution of India legally bestow the right to freedom of religion, the association said the letter seems to be biased as some sections within the government machinery want to target the Christian community by seeking particular details that do not seem legally tenable.
Stating that the exercise seems to be an attempt to create fear psychosis among the Christians in Assam, the association said the letter also speaks volumes about the disdain by some with regard to the gigantic contributions of the church to social development in the region as a whole and the state in particular.
The association sought the intervention of the Central government through the Home Ministry to ensure that such exercises of targeting Christian minorities are stopped once and for all and steps are taken to expand the space for communal harmony.
“The contribution of the Christian institutions, be it in health, education, social mobility, economic growth, and culture should be regarded with a positive outlook,” the statement said while appealing to the Assam government, particularly Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to reverse the order with immediate effect and ensure that Christians in the state are shown the leaf of hope and confidence under a constitutional government where everyone will remain patriotic.
