Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 1
The fourth session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) today discussed on matters of urgent public importance under Rule-50 pertaining to the “Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practices Bill 2024”.
Initiating the discussion, Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang said “it is our bounden duty to stand and voice out in support of our faith and beliefs, particularly at a time, when its very existence is being 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,” Zeliang said.
Likewise, he said, our Christian brothers and sisters in Assam state or elsewhere in the country are free to preach, practice and propagate Christianity because, as equals, they also enjoy this freedom guaranteed by the Constitution of India.
The Deputy Chief Minister told the Floor of the House that the objective of Right to Freedom of Religion is to sustain the principle of Secularism in India.
“However, with the passing of the Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practices Bill 2024, the very essence of Secularism has been destroyed in the state of Assam under the false pretext of eradicating non-scientific healing practices,” he said.
Zeliang brought to light before the august House, “how Secularism is being targeted by religious zealots every passing day with the latest thrashing of Secularism being the introduction of the Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practices Bill 2024 which has deeply hurt the sentiments of Christians in particular.”
He said the word 'Secular' reinforces the idea of a Secular State, treating all religions equally and maintaining neutrality.
“However, in the case of the present subject in discussion, i.e. Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practices Bill, 2024, Indian Secularism has come under severe strain and for Christians in particular, it can only be seen as a direct attack on our faith and belief system,” he said.
In particular, he said, North-east India is unique because of the presence of many religions co-existing side by side which showcases the richness of unity in diversity in the region.
“We have different religions in North East India and we have coexisted peacefully practicing our respective rites and rituals. For instance, the prohibition of Cow-slaughter in mainland India was made mainly out of respect for the religious sentiments of the Hindus as it is well known that Cow has great religious significance for the Hindus. In the case of Christians and Muslims in North-East India, it is normal to slaughter a Cow during Christmas or Bakr-ld Celebration,” he said.
In our own commercial city of Dimapur, he said Hindus celebrate Deepavali and Durga Puja with much pomp and gaiety while Muslims celebrate Bakr-Id with equal liveliness and display of Muslim brotherhood. Not to mention of passing a Bill in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly to prohibit such rites and practices of minority Hindus and Muslims in a Christian majority state like Nagaland, when did the Nagaland State Government even oppose such religious practices? I| am not saying that the Christian Nagas have committed no wrongdoings in the eyes of God and before mankind.
“What I am try to portray here is the fact that with clean conscience, we have allowed minority religious communities in Nagaland to preach, practice and propagate their religions as guaranteed to them by the Constitution of India,” he said.
The Deputy Chief Minster said that the Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practices 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.
“Christian Healing is a compassionate response to human sufferings across religious divide irrespective of religious affiliations and to label it as magical healing is an insult to the spiritual dimensions of Christian faith and life. As citizens of a Secular and Democratic Nation, we must recognize that invoking divine blessings is intrinsic to religious worship be it a Temple, Mosque, Gurudwara or a Church, he said.
For instance, as Hinduism prescribes rituals and observances, ceremonies and modes of worship which are regarded as integral part of Hindu religion; so also Christianity prescribes believers to pray and to heal the sick and ailing in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, he said adding that “Healing and deliverance is a part of the Ministry of Jesus Christ and in Christian belief, it is Jesus Christ who gives the Power and Authority to his disciples to do the same.”
“Let us take another example - the wearing and carrying of Kirpans by Sikhs is deemed to be included in the profession of the Sikh religion and similarly, among the Christian community, healing in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ is part and parcel of Christian life. Healing is a divine blessing which comes through the faith and belief of an individual and no individual or group can forcefully be healed. As Christians, it is our religious right to manage this religious affair which is our fundamental right protected by the Constitution,” he said.
Among the Christians, he said, healing crusade is a common practice which 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,” he said.
For example- In Nagaland, Hindu Sadhus and Fortune-Tellers moving around in their religious vestments approaching individuals to convince them by offering Precious Stones, Magic Rings or Tabis etc. for one's long live and good luck. This is never prohibited by the state Government or any Christian Organisation but we leave it to an individual's faith and belief to accept or to avoid, he said.
Zeliang also voiced out against the various religious intolerances and persecutions of Christians going on in this country.
“There have been several cases of physical abuse, torture, harassment and discriminations of Christians across various parts of the Country,” he said.
“The Indian Constitution bestows the right on a religious denomination or organization 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. However, with the subject in discussion, Assam Government has violated this right guaranteed to the Citizens of India because the Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practices Bill, 2024 has taken the away the right of administration from the hands of the Christians Prayer and Healing Warriors altogether and has vested it with the State actors which amounts to violation of the right guaranteed under the Indian Constitution,” he said.
Zeliang called upon the Government of Assam to revoke and abolish the Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practices Bill, 2024.”
“More importantly, I suggest that we convey the feeling of this august house to the Assam Legislative Assembly of our opposition to the said Bill which is a direct challenge to the principle of Secularism in India,” he added.
Nagaland’s tourism & higher education minister Temjen Imna Along said that it is within the Nagaland legislature's rights to appeal to the Government of Assam and assert their faith-based practices.
He urged his fellow lawmakers to critically examine the intentions behind the bill and inquire if it unjustly discriminates against any particular religious group.
Emphasizing that the misuse of faith has occurred across religious communities, he reminded the House of the importance of maintaining a fair and inclusive approach.
Furthermore, the Minister made a plea to his fellow legislators, urging them not to rush into condemning the bill. Instead, he called for a diplomatic approach, suggesting that they present their concerns and opinions to the Assam Government.
The minister also appealed Christian brothers and sisters residing in Assam, encouraging them to seek guidance from the state's Chief Minister.
Underscoring the need for peace, the Minister emphasized that it is a matter of utmost significance not only for Nagaland but also for the entire nation.
Also joining the discussion, MLA Dr Sukhato A Sema said that the Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) practices Bill 2024 negates secular ideals enshrined in the preamble of Indian constitution.
He said that labeling evangelist activities as Black Magic and Evil practices is contaminated.
He said there are lots of Naga Christians in Assam who needs to be protected from lobbing with this “The Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practices Bill 2024.”
“We need to raise our voice prayerfully, politely, constitutionally, politically and unitedly with all resilience to stop burning of the churches and persecuting the Christians in neighboring states,” he said.
“It is our responsibility to stand for our people and our religious freedom under the constitution of India because India is a Secular Country,” he said and called on this August house to put a strong united voice for Revision and Reconsideration of the Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) practices Bill, 2024, for all the Christians villages in Assam and Manipur etc.
Nagaland CAWD & taxes advisor Kudecho Khamo said that the term used in the bill as Magical Healing “is incorrect and misleading which is not acceptable to the Christian community as all healings are the divine intervention of the Holy Spirit through prayers.”
“This infamous bill passed by the Assam Legislative Assembly is a direct violation and infringement of the constitution of India which guarantees the freedom of religion. The bill which intends to curb evangelism and divine healing through the works of the Holy Spirit is not only an insult to the Christian Community but also against the fundamental principle of democracy and Secularism,” Khamo said and appealed to House to “unanimously reject and condemned the bill and take necessary steps to ensure free and fair practices and believe of all the religious groups as guaranteed by the Constitution of India.”
(With inputs from DIPR)
