Kohima: The Catholic Association of Nagaland (CAN) has voiced deep concern over “religious intolerance” in Assam and the passing of the Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practices Bill.
Emphasising the principles of equality, liberty, and fraternity enshrined in the Indian Constitution, the association questioned the silence of the Government of Assam in the face of alleged violence perpetrated by certain groups.
“The Catholic Association of Nagaland question the very conscience of the Government of Assam for remaining silent and for not defending the constitutional provisions when members of Hindu outfit known as Kutumbha Surakshya Parishad through some people like Satya Ranjan Borah had blatantly and explicitly revealed an act of religious intolerance in Assam and indulged in sacrileges, threats and intimidation, violence and socio-religious crimes,” CAN said in a statement.
The association viewed the Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practices Bill, 2024, as a “ploy with sinister religious intolerant design for scaling religious injustice in Assam.”
Quoting from the Hindu holy book Rig Veda, the association underscored the call for peace and protection for all humanity. The religious intolerance brooding in Assam in recent time is an affront to the teachings of Hindu religion, a criminal conspiracy and a grave threat to peace in the region, they said.
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CAN urged Government of Assam to uphold the principles of justice and peace as enshrined in the Constitution of India and the Universal Human Right. The association appealed to all citizens of Assam and the Northeast region to recognise the inherent dignity of every individual, irrespective of political or religious affiliations.
In a hopeful plea, the association called upon the leadership of Assam, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswas Sarma, to heed the concerns and aspirations of the citizens, address the growing threats to peace, and foster an environment of mutual respect and coexistence for all residents of Assam and the surrounding regions.
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