Nagaland: DUCCF slams intimidation of pastor, wife in UP

Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF), representing 97 colonies under 23 wards in Dimapur, has strongly condemned the recent incident in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, involving the public harassment and intimidation of pastor Raju Sadasivam and his wife.
In a statement, DUCCF said the reported incident, in which the couple was allegedly verbally abused, humiliated, filmed and aggressively questioned about their faith in a public place, was deeply disturbing and shameful. It said that even in the absence of physical assault, such acts of public intimidation, hate speech and psychological harassment amounted to serious violations of human dignity and constitutional rights.
Stating that no citizen should be made to feel unsafe or humiliated because of religious beliefs, the federation said India was built on the values of unity in diversity, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence. It maintained that acts of intimidation and hatred not only harm the victims but also damage the moral and democratic fabric of the nation.
DUCCF stressed that religious committees, faith-based groups and community leaders had a responsibility to promote peace, understanding and brotherhood, and asserted that differences in faith must never lead to confrontation or vigilantism. It said true faith was reflected through respect, not intimidation or public shaming.
Referring to Article 25 of the Constitution, the federation said freedom of conscience and the right to profess, practise and propagate religion were fundamental rights, and any act undermining these freedoms was an assault on the Constitution. It also noted that intimidation or insults against religious beliefs were punishable offences under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.
Appealing to all communities in Nagaland to unite against religious intimidation, DUCCF urged the Government of India and concerned state authorities to act decisively and impartially. It called for prompt registration of FIRs, thorough investigations and accountability to ensure such incidents are not repeated.
The federation expressed solidarity with pastor Raju Sadasivam, his family, the Christian community and all minority communities facing intimidation, and reaffirmed its commitment to communal harmony, peaceful coexistence and the constitutional vision of a just, inclusive and compassionate India.