MEMBERS SAY IT UNDERMINES CORE VALUES OF CONSTITUTIONAL FREEDOM
Nagaland Legislative Assembly, cutting across political lines, expressed concern over Assam government’s move to make healing practices a crime through a legislation– the Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practices Bill, 2024.
Initiating the discussion on matters of urgent public importance under Rule-50 pertaining to the issue, deputy chief minister TR Zeliang emphasised the duty of Christians to stand up for their faith and beliefs, particularly at a time when their very existence was being threatened.
He claimed that the freedom to preach, practice, and propagate Christianity was guaranteed by the Constitution of India, irrespective of the majority or minority status of Christians in any state. He pointed out that the Right to Freedom of Religion enshrined in Articles 25 to 28 of the Indian constitution upheld the principle of secularism.
However, he lamented that the Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practices Bill, 2024 threatened the essence of secularism by targeting non-scientific healing practices under the guise of eradicating evil. He argued that the Bill undermined the core values of the Indian constitution and posed a direct attack on the faith and belief system of Christians.
Highlighting the diversity of religions coexisting in the Northeast, Zeliang stressed maintaining harmony and respect for different faiths. He said Indian secularism promoted equality and neutrality among religions, but the Assam Healing Practices Bill undermined this principle and posed a threat to religious freedom, particularly for the Christians.
He further highlighted the cultural diversity and religious harmony in places such as Dimapur where the Hindus celebrated festivals like Deepavali and Durga Puja with fervour, while the Muslims celebrated Bakr-Id with equal enthusiasm, showcasing a spirit of brotherhood among different communities.
He mentioned that the NLA had never passed any Bill that infringed on the rights of other religious communities or prohibited their practices.
He claimed that the Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practices Bill, 2024, purportedly aiming to “bring social awakening in the society”, effectively sought to ban healing crusades or healing practices conducted by Christian missionaries in Assam.
He argued that this prohibition went against the principle of secularism enshrined in the country’s constitution. He denounced the characterisation of Christian healing as “magical healing”, asserting that such labelling diminished the spiritual significance of Christian faith and life.
As a citizen of a secular and democratic nation, he sought recognition of divine intervention in religious practices, emphasising respect and protecting religious freedoms for all. He maintained that healing practices were distinct from any form of magical powers commonly associated with magicians or practitioners of witchcraft. In these healing crusades, he clarified that no individual or group was coerced or forced to participate. Rather, he pointed out that the decision to attend such events was entirely dependent on an individual’s faith and belief.
To illustrate the point, he provided an example of Hindu sadhus and fortune-tellers who roamed around in their religious attire, approaching individuals to persuade them by offering items like precious stones, magic rings, or talismans for longevity and good fortune. He pointed out that such practices were not prohibited by the Nagaland government or any Christian organisation, but were instead left to individual choice based on their faith and beliefs.
Insisting that no outside authority should have the authority to interfere with the religious decisions of individuals or communities, he accused the Assam government of having violated this right guaranteed to the citizens of India. He feared the Bill would strip the authority of Christian prayer and healing practitioners and vest it with state actors, which constituted a violation of the rights guaranteed by the constitution.
Given Assam’s significant role as the elder brother among the eight states in the Northeast, and with its chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma serving as convenor of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), Zeliang urged the Assam government to be more accommodating in dealing with different religions in the region.
Zeliang, therefore, called upon Government of Assam to revoke and abolish the Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practices Bill, 2024, stating the sentiments of the NLA members should be conveyed to the Assam Legislative Assembly. Zeliang said he opposed the Bill as it directly challenged the principle of secularism in India.
Participating in the discussion, LJP (RV) legislator Sukhato Sema claimed that the Bill contradicted the secular ideals enshrined in the preamble of the Indian constitution. He maintained that secularism in India not only implied the coexistence of diverse religious communities, but also entailed separation of religion from state. Hence, he cautioned that if the state encroached upon the religious freedom of citizens through controversial laws, it would jeopardise the essence of secularism.
He criticised the remark of Sarma in the Assam Legislative Assembly that the healing practitioners were contagious as it would endanger the lives of thousands of Christian missionaries in Assam.
He highlighted that despite the Christians being a majority in Nagaland, the state upheld full religious freedom for all religious communities, respecting the religious practices of the Hindus and Muslims. He pointed out that NLA had never passed laws that would jeopardise the rights of religious minorities. This, he asserted demonstrated the state’s commitment to upholding religious freedom and respecting the diverse religious practices of its citizens.
Sema urged NLA speaker Sharingain Longkumer, chief minister Neiphiu Rio and all legislators to seek guidance from God regarding His purpose in choosing them to serve in the august house. He reminded them that there were many Naga Christians in Assam who needed protection.
He stressed that it was the “responsibility of the house to stand for our people and uphold our religious freedom under the Constitution of India, as India is a secular country.”
He called upon the members to unite and strongly advocate revision and reconsideration of the Bill to ensure protection of all Christian villages in Assam, Manipur, and other areas.
On his part, NDPP legislator Kudecho Khamo too expressed support for the position taken by Zeliang vis-à-vis the Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practices Bill 2024. He criticised the terminology used in the Bill, particularly the term “Magical Healing”, deeming it incorrect and misleading.
He claimed that all healings were divine interventions of the holy spirit through prayers, as per the Christian beliefs. He said the Christian healing involved both scientific and divine elements from God. He termed the Bill discriminatory, vindictive, and displayed religious bigotry, which could sow seeds of hatred and division among various religious groups in the society.
He mentioned that the Bill constituted a direct violation and infringement of the Constitution of India, which guaranteed the freedom of religion. He alleged that it aimed at curtailing evangelism and divine healing through the holy spirit, which not only insulted the Christian community, but also went against the fundamental principles of democracy and secularism.
He appealed to the members of the august house to unanimously condemn the bill, urging them to take necessary steps to ensure that free and fair practices, and beliefs of all religious groups, as guaranteed by the constitution.
Expressing concern over the Bill, Higher Education and Tourism minister Temjen Imna Along wondered whether it was specifically targeted at certain religious minorities. He also wanted to know if the Bill was aimed at the Christian community, considering the specific rules outlined therein.
“As a state dominated by Christians, it is our duty to appeal to the Government of Assam and articulate what our prayers and faith allow us to,” he emphasised.
He observed that religion had often been the cause of wars and conflicts spanning thousands of years across the globe. He cited examples such as the Crusade and similar historical events that led to battles and strife.
He remarked that when such questions arose and such acts were observed, it raised questions among many BJP workers in the state. He hoped that they would do their best to apprise the Assam chief minister about the matter. He noted that the matter of faith was often both used and misused by all communities, underscoring the complexity of the issue.
Along commented: “It is not that we Christians have not also committed wrongs in the name of our Lord. Similarly, it is not that the Hindu community has not wronged others, and it is known that the Muslim community too has erred.”
Reflecting on the nature of God as described in the Bible, he mentioned “The God that I know and we know from the Bible is the God who created the heaven and earth, the God who breathed life into us and made us living souls.”
He clarified that healing was not the subject matter of the priest, or the missionary or the evangelist. “Anyone who preaches the gospel, who has knowledge of Christ and preaches the gospel, and if anyone is healed by faith and by the grace of God, there is nothing wrong with the Christian community to see healing happen to any person who needs it in the name of the Lord Jesus,” he stated.
The minister asserted that healing was a right that belonged to everyone, and that it should be pursued in a manner that was free from any form of coveting or enticing. He claimed that this approach aligned with the teachings of the Bible and reflected the true essence of Christian faith.
Due to lack of awareness of the realities surrounding evangelical healings or prayer, he said the Bill might be passed in the Assam Assembly. Hence, he urged the chief minister, deputy chief minister, and senior members of the house that instead of outright condemnation, they should apprise and inform others about these practices.