Meghalaya Leaders Condemn Bajrang Dal's Alleged Disruption of Christmas Celebrations in Assam

Religious leaders from the Christian community in Meghalaya, backed by the state's Mahila Congress unit, have sharply criticised reported incidents of violence and intimidation by Bajrang Dal activists against Christians during Christmas festivities in parts of Assam and Rajpur.

Fr Richard Majaw, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Shillong, labelled the attacks as an "assault on faith itself," emphasising that targeting worshippers is equivalent to "attacking God." He called on both the central and state governments to intervene promptly to stop such occurrences, adding that persecution ultimately reinforces the resolve of believers.

Rev Edwin H Kharkongor, secretary of the Khasi Jaintia Christian Leaders Forum, voiced strong indignation over the "persistent assaults" on Christians and their institutions in Assam. Referencing past incidents, including the vandalism of holy statues in February 2024 and restrictions on wearing religious attire, he described denying children the festive spirit of Christmas in schools as a "grave moral wrong."

While appreciating Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's pledge for tough legal measures, Rev Kharkongor urged authorities to safeguard educational establishments and encourage cross-faith engagement in celebrations.

The Meghalaya Pradesh Mahila Congress (MPMC) echoed the outrage, with President Joplyn Scott Shylla describing the incidents as "profoundly troubling" and in direct conflict with India's constitutional principles of secularism and religious liberty. She warned that hostility toward any religious minority erodes the nation's foundational values, demanding immediate and severe punishment for the culprits while urging the public to foster communal unity and reject intolerance in a democratic society.

In a notable show of cross-party consensus, the Meghalaya BJP also denounced the disruptions, insisting on the harshest possible action against those responsible. State spokesperson Mariahom Kharkrang termed the acts "distressing" and harmful to India's image abroad, reaffirming the party's dedication to constitutional safeguards and every citizen's freedom to practise and celebrate their religion.

Kharkrang accused certain political entities of exaggerating sporadic crimes as coordinated campaigns for partisan advantage. He highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and top BJP leaders routinely attend Christmas events, demonstrating the party's inclusive stance.

The Meghalaya BJP unit pledged full support for the arrest, trial, and lawful punishment of the individuals involved, underscoring that such behaviour contravenes the country's ethos of social harmony.

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