By Matters India Reporter
Guwahati, Feb 16, 2024: Christian Churches in Assam, northeastern India, have criticized the state government’s “misguided and misleading” statement equating healing with proselytization.
The Assam Christian Forum (ACF), an umbrella body of all Churches, has also rejected a radical Hindu group’s demand for the removal of Christian symbols from missionary schools in the state.
The group, Kutumba Surakshya Parishad (Family Protection Council), alleged that missionaries use such symbols subtly to convert students from other faiths.
“The Assam Cabinet’s assertion that Christians engage in magical healing is misguided and misleading. Our numerous dispensaries and hospitals operate within the recognized medical frameworks, providing essential services to the sick,” ACF stated
The Churches’ February 15 statement came three days after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told journalists that his cabinet had passed a resolution two days earlier endorsing a bill to ban magical healing practices with the explicit goal of curbing evangelism.
“Magical healing is a dicey subject used to convert tribal people. We are going to pilot this Bill because we believe the religious status quo is very important for a proper balance. Let Muslims remain Muslims, Christians remain Christians, Hindus remain Hindus,” Sarma said.
The ACF’s statement, signed by forum president Archbishop John Moolachira of Guwahati, general secretary Reverend Chowaram Daimari, and spokesperson Allen Brooks, termed the government stand on healing services “both misguided and misleading.”
The chief minister’s statement came five days after the Hindu outfit threatened the Church schools to remove Christian symbols within 15 days. The group also forbids priests, nuns, and brothers from wearing their religious dress on school campuses.
The group president Satya Ranjan Borah alleged that Christian missionaries converted schools and educational institutes into religious institutes. “We will not allow it,” he told a press conference February 7 in Guwahati, the state’s commercial capital. The outfit has also warned of dire consequences if Christian schools fail to comply with the demand.
Some other Hindu groups want to perform their worship in Christian schools.
The ACF says such threats from “fringe elements” have disturbed the Christians in the state. “We reject these demands and request the state authorities to take action against these elements who are a threat to our civilised society and are against the rights given to us by the Constitution of India.
On February 10, the Assam cabinet approved the Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practices Bill, 2024, that prescribes imprisonment and fines for engaging in “illegal practices under the guise of treatment or magic healing.
The ACF statement points out that the government has misconceptions regarding healing practices.
“Healing, in our context, is not synonymous with proselytization. It is a compassionate response to human suffering, irrespective of religious affiliations,” the statement asserts.
It explains that prayer is a universal practice across religions, used to invoke divine healing. “Labelling it as magical healing oversimplifies the profound spiritual dimensions of faith and life.”
The forum says the Article 25 of the Indian Constitution guarantees the right to practice one’s chosen religion. “Accusation against Christians undermines this constitutional protection.”
The Church body also points out that the government stance on prayer also implicates practitioners of all religions.
“We must recognize that invoking divine blessings is intrinsic to religious worship, whether in temples, mosques, or churches,” the forum explains.
The forum also requested the state authorities to take action against those who pose a threat to civilised society and those opposing rights given to Christians by the Constitution of India.
The Churches expressed their willingness to dialogue with others to promote better understanding and dispel misconceptions. “Healing, whether through prayer or medical intervention, transcends religious boundaries. As Christians, we remain committed to compassionate service, guided by our faith and love for humanity.”
How is maintaining the religious status quo a function of government?
That is equal to saying citizens have no right to discuss religion, or change their religion! Our constitutional right!
There is never a status quo in people’s beliefs. They are dynamic. Does he know that there was a time Buddhism was widely, widely practised in India, before it sort of died out and people obviously changed to others?
There were followers of tribal/ animistic religions which have changed/ faded out, switched to Hinduism or Christianity?
Another example : Lord Ram was always worshipped as Maryada purushottam. The Ram lalla worship is not a very old / traditional thing.
Beliefs and practices change!