Dimahasou, November 9 (MExN): The United Christian Forum of Dimahasou, the United Christian Forum of Karbi Anglong, and the Assam Christian Forum have expressed deep shock and dismay over the “divisive” remarks made by Surendra Kumar Jain, the International Joint General Secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).
“Jain’s statements, made during the inauguration of the Joya Thaosen Computer Learning Centre on October 27 at KK Hojai Chatrinivas Building, Haflong, Dima Hasao District, were seen as an attempt to malign the Christian community and undermine the harmony of the region,” stated a press release from United Christian Forum of Dimahasou, United Christian Forum of Karbi Anglong and Assam Christian Forum (ACF).
The statement claimed that the occasion was intended to honour the memory of Joya Thaosen, a well respected freedom fighter, who is cherished by all communities of Dima Hasao and the country at large. By using this significant event as a platform to condemn and divide communities on religious grounds, Jain’s comments are perceived as a dishonor to the rich legacy of Thaosen, who stood for unity and secular values, it added.
“We believe that Jain’s baseless accusations against the Church and the Christian community are not only harmful but seem to be a deliberate attempt to malign an entire faith community. His statements undermine the invaluable contributions of the Christian community to this region,” stated a representative of the ACF.
The Christian community has played a transformative role in the Northeast since pre-independence actively working in areas such as education, healthcare, social welfare, literature, media, relief, rehabilitation, and sustainable development. The Christian community’s work has had a lasting impact, bringing positive change to countless lives and promoting the welfare of all. Jain’s remarks, suggesting the Church’s involvement in illicit activities, are unsubstantiated and inflammatory. Such divisive rhetoric sows seeds of mistrust and damages the spirit of unity that has long allowed diverse groups to coexist peacefully in the Dimahasou. These comments are seen not only as an insult to the entire Christian community but as an effort to disrupt the harmony that has been the foundation of the region’s progress.
In response, the ACF has urged community leaders and representatives across organizations to refrain from making inflammatory statements that endanger communal peace. The Christian community calls upon all sectors of society to stand united against divisive language and to reject such harmful rhetoric.
The Christian community in the Northeast remains steadfast in its mission of compassion and service to all. It will continue to support the welfare and development of the region, working for the good of all communities with a commitment to human dignity and inclusiveness, it added.
