KOHIMA, AUGUST 5 (MExN): The Kohima Bench of the Gauhati High Court has sought responses from the Union Government, the Government of Nagaland, the Bible Society of India (BSI) and other respondents after admitting a writ petition challenging the “Sumi Naga Re-edited 2025” edition of the Holy Bible.
The petition, filed by 1,065 members of the Sumi Naga community, came up before Justice Anjan Moni Kalita, who issued notice after hearing advocates Alok Shankar and Sourjya Das appearing for the petitioners.
According to the petition, the disputed edition allegedly contains “theological and grammatical distortions” that have led to confusion, misunderstanding and division within sections of the community. The petitioners have invoked Articles 25 and 29 of the Constitution, contending that the issues raised affect their religious and cultural rights.
The plea further states that while the Bible Society of India had halted further publication of the edition following representations from concerned groups, around 55,000 copies had already been circulated. The petitioners argued that the absence of a clear public clarification regarding the status of the edition continues to create uncertainty among churches, religious institutions, educational bodies and members of the Sumi Naga community.
Among the reliefs sought, the petitioners have requested the court to direct the Bible Society of India to publicly declare through its official website and other platforms that the edition has been discontinued and that no further printing, publication, reproduction, circulation or distribution of the “Sumi Naga Re-edited 2025” version will be undertaken.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on September 7.
