Catholic Association of Nagaland (CAN) has questioned the intention of BJP plan to undertake cleanliness drives in church compounds across the state on May 11, as five of the seven phases of Lok Sabha polls were still remaining to be held.
CAN pointed out that any unusual proposal by a political party would be viewed as an election gimmick, while any plan by a group/party involving another group’s property without consent amounted to a lack of due respect and disregard of the right to property recognised by the Supreme Court as a human right.
Noting the huge rise in atrocities on Christians in the country in recent years, with more than 150 incidents of such violence recorded in the first three months of 2024 itself, the association claimed that it had witnessed the destruction of church properties and whole buildings in the neighbouring states of Assam and Manipur in the past one year.
“It is difficult to not see a relationship between correlation and causation when the very vast majority of these cases had been in BJP-ruled states with the same party ruling the central government,” the statement pointed out.
CAN asserted that the Catholic church reservedthe right over its religious properties, including the sacred worship place that was cared for in sanctity and with utmost dignity.
Reiterating the apolitical nature and status of the association and the church, CAN appreciated parish priests, heads of institutions, and the lay faithful for always safeguarding the sanctity and dignity of the sacred spaces. It however entreated them to continue to be ever wary of proposals or offers, be they incitements or inducements, from political parties.
The association also called upon BJP members of the state to earn the goodwill of the people by urging their counterparts in the rest of the country to take positive action against the persecution of minorities, bring justice to victims, and restore and protect church properties everywhere.
Further, the association urgedall political parties and public servants to uphold the values and freedoms that both the tradition and the constitution of the nation guaranteed to the people.