PBCA opposes govt ban on religious stickers on vehicles

DIMAPUR, MAY 12 (NPN): Phom Baptist Christian Association (PBCA) has strongly opposed the state government’s recent notification prohibiting religion-based and NGO-based slogans, signages, stickers and identifiers on vehicles.
In a press release, PBCA said that distinction between the State and the Church was a foundational principle of modern democracy and secularism, ensuring that religious institutions and government entities remained separate and did not interfere in each other’s functioning.
PBCA stated that the display of religion-based and NGO-related slogans, signage and stickers was not intended for “earthly name and fame,” but served as a transparent means of identifying institutions engaged in social and humanitarian service.
Citing the role of churches and NGOs during the COVID-19 pandemic, the association said religious institutions had worked alongside the government as trusted community hubs by facilitating public health initiatives and providing logistical support.
Questioning the rationale behind restrictions on church vehicle signage, PBCA alleged that the move signalled “a new beginning of an attack on the church system and structure.” It maintained that Christianity was deeply intertwined with Nagaland’s social, cultural and political life and noted that church-related activities and travel formed an integral part of daily life in the state.
The association further maintained that the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act relating to the ban on signage and stickers should not apply in Nagaland, a predominantly Christian state.
PBCA also questioned the intention behind the implementation of the Act by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, alleging that it reflected “high-handedness” and amounted to suppression of civil rights and religious freedom.
It further alleged that the move represented “a new form of persecution” against the Christian community and expressed concern that restrictions on vehicle signage could eventually extend to church buildings.
Referring to Article 371A, the association stated that the special constitutional provision for Nagaland was intended to safeguard the collective interests and rights of the people.
PBCA asserted that the primary purpose of the Motor Vehicles Act globally was to ensure road safety and not to regulate signage and stickers.
Therefore, the association has appealed to the responsible authorities to reconsider the implementation of the Act.