A Hindutva group in Assam, named Sanmilita Sanatan Samaj, has issued a stern warning to top Christian institutions across the north-eastern state, urging them to avoid religious symbols and costumes within educational premises.
The group, which has recently gained attention for its campaign against Christian missionary-run schools, printed posters in Assamese and stuck them on school premises, cautioning against using the institutions for religious activities.
The posters, discovered at prominent institutions like Carmel School in Jorhat, Don Bosco Boys School, and Saint Mary’s School in Guwahati, demanded the removal of churches, idols of Jesus and Mary, and any religious symbols within the school grounds.
The posters also emphasized compliance with the proposed New Education Policy of the Narendra Modi government and urged Christian missionary educational institutions to show respect to the Indian Parliament.
Authorities at Carmel School in Jorhat reported the incident to the local police. In the application submitted by Sister Rose Fatima, the school principal, it was highlighted that the institution had always been accommodating and respectful towards people of all religions and cultures, fostering an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity. The police confirmed the report and initiated an investigation into the matter.
Similar posters have been spotted in Christian minority schools in Barpeta, Dibrugarh, and Sivasagar towns, raising concerns about the escalating situation. The campaign by Sanmilita Sanatan Samaj began after the group's call on February 7, directing Christian missionary-run schools to remove religious symbols and statues within 15 days. Another group, Kutumba Suraksha Parishad, had issued a similar directive recently.
Members of Sanmilita Sanatan Samaj clarified their stance, stating that they are not against Christians but oppose what they perceive as the subtle use of religious symbols for conversion. They allege that missionary schools focus on propagating Christianity rather than promoting Indian culture.
In response, the Assam Christian Forum labelled the posters as actions by "fringe elements" and reported the incidents to the state director general of police and district police chiefs. A member of the forum emphasized the institutions' commitment to respecting and accommodating individuals of all religions and cultures, asserting that the goal was not conversion.
Meanwhile, the controversy deepened with the introduction of the Assam (Healing) Prevention of Evil Practices Bill, 2024, by the BJP government in Assam. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma linked magical healing practices with proselytization by Christian missionaries.
The Assam Christian Forum criticized the bill, calling the chief minister's comments "misguided and misleading," asserting that healing practices were a compassionate response to human suffering, irrespective of religious affiliations.
The bill faced further criticism from the Nagaland Baptist Church Council, which labelled it a manifestation of "religious bigotry" and an "insensitive act." The unfolding events underscore the growing tensions between religious communities in Assam, with concerns raised about potential discrimination against minority groups and their institutions.