NLA defers discussion on ‘satanic worship’

Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) on Tuesday deferred a discussion on the issue of alleged “satanic worship” in the State, following the advice of the chief minister and the assembly speaker that the matter required further research and investigation before being tabled in the House during the ongoing 7th session.
Addressing media persons at the Legislators Home, NLA secretariat, NPF legislature party leader Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu, who had sought to raise the issue, said the matter was initially listed for discussion but was later withdrawn at the request of the House leadership.
He stated that the chief minister had referred the matter to the speaker, who in turn suggested that he could highlight the concern briefly, while a more detailed discussion would be taken up at an appropriate time after proper study.
Azo informed that the concern was first raised by the Jehovah’s Support International Society, which had approached him several times in 2022, 2023 and 2025, though not in 2024, when he had advised the group to reach out to all legislators.
According to Azo, the group had submitted a memorandum to the chief minister, which he personally forwarded for Assembly discussion.
Further, Azo disclosed that the Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF), in a letter dated July 31, addressed to the chief minister, deputy chief ministers, speaker and himself, had also condemned the practice of satanic worship, calling for government action to ban it.
The legislator expressed disappointment at what he described as “mixed messaging” in the Forum’s public statement. He said that while the Forum had earlier congratulated him for taking up the issue in the Assembly, its subsequent press release emphasized avoiding discussion. “If the government is to ban such practices, it needs to be discussed in the House. Without discussion, how can action be formulated?” Azo remarked.
He maintained that reports of alleged “satanic worship” had surfaced in districts including Dimapur, Kohima, Kiphire, Wokha and Mokokchung, with videos also circulating on social media.
He claimed that the activities attributed to such groups included practices “contrary to Christian values and ethics,” citing murder, robbery, sexual immorality, drug abuse, and alleged human sacrifices.
Azo pointed out that several states such as Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Odisha and Assam had already passed state-level ordinances against such practices. He argued that a Christian-majority state like Nagaland should also consider enacting similar legislation.
He reiterated that while the role of the church was crucial in identifying and addressing such practices, the government also had a responsibility to highlight and regulate them in the interest of public order.
“The speaker and the chief minister have advised that more research and study should be conducted before bringing the matter for full discussion. I believe that will be more appropriate, and at the right time we can formulate a law or ordinance banning such practices,” he stated.