Kohima: The 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) on Friday sought the revocation and abolition of the Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practices Bill, 2024, stating that the Bill is a direct challenge to the principle of Secularism in India.
On the last day of the budget session, the house discussed the matter of urgent public importance under Rule-50. Speaking on the matter, deputy chief minister TR Zeliang said that as Christians, the legislators are bound to stand and voice out in support of their faith and beliefs, particularly at a time, when their existence was threatened.
“We are free to preach, practice and propagate Christianity not because we live in a Christian-majority State but because we are citizens of this great Nation, India; and this great Nation guarantees us this freedom under the Right to Freedom of Religion enshrined in the Constitution of India and well described in Article 25, 26, 27 and 28,” he said.
He said that North-east India is unique because of the presence of many religions which co-exist, showcasing the richness of unity in diversity in the region.
“The Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practises Bill, 2024’ which reportedly claims to ‘bring social awakening in the Society’ prohibits healing crusades or healing practice conducted by Christian missionaries in Assam which is against the principle of Secularism provided in the Constitution of our Country,” he said.
Among the Christians, he said that healing crusade is a common practice. “This is done by God’s gifted divine healing power and this healing practice is not related to any kind of magic power commonly practiced by magicians or witchcraft practitioners. In Healing Crusades, no individual or group is coerced or forced to join but the decision to partake in such events, entirely depends on an individual’s faith and belief,” the minister said.
The Indian Constitution, he said, bestows the right on a religious denomination or organisation to enjoy complete autonomy in matter of deciding as to what rites and ceremonies are essential according to the tenets of the religion they hold.
“No outside authority has any jurisdiction to interfere with their decision in such matters,” Zeliang said.
Calling the Government of Assam to revoke and abolish the Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practises Bill, 2024, Zeliang suggested that the Nagaland government’s opposition to the Bill be conveyed to the Assam Legislative Assembly.
BJP minister Temjen Imna Along said that the bill has garnered attention and debate within political circles, especially with 12 members of the BJP present in the state. He said that such legislative actions often prompt questions regarding the party’s stance and its impact on its constituents.
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Acknowledging the sensitivity of the matter, he said that the BJP would also make efforts to provide insights to the Chief Minister of Assam, given the potential ramifications on religious freedoms.
Rather than condemning, he said that the state government should apprise the Assam government and urge them to take refuge of the Christians. As a good friend of Nagaland CM, he hoped that Sarma would understand the government’s view.
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