Guwahati, Christian organisations in Assam have accused the BJP-led state government and its police force of targeting the Catholic community, their churches, institutions, and practices of conversion. This comes amid growing concerns over religious discrimination and the targeting of minority communities within the state.

According to Kashmir Media Service, there is an increasing tension over alleged religious discrimination against Muslims and Christians in Assam. Reports of biased policies and intimidation tactics by organisations advocating Hindutva ideology have sparked significant outrage, raising alarms about the state of communal harmony and religious freedom in this northeastern state of India.

These organisations have been notably active in calling for the removal of Christian symbols and statues from missionary schools and pushing for the observance of Hindu rituals, such as Saraswati Puja, within these institutions. The Christian community, which makes up approximately 3.74 percent of the state’s population and operates over 300 missionary schools, has vehemently opposed these actions, perceiving them as a direct attack on their religious freedoms.

The issue has escalated with demands from a Hindu organisation, ‘Kutumba Suraksha Parishad’, for the removal of religious symbols from missionary schools, with its leader, Satya Ranjan Bora, threatening consequences for non-compliance. This has instilled a climate of fear among the management of these schools and the wider Christian community.

Sister Rose Fatima, a principal at Carmel School in Jorhat, voiced her concerns over the growing tensions and has sought police protection for the school premises after warnings were issued and posters were placed on school walls in some districts of Upper Assam.

The Christian organisations have called for a balanced scrutiny of all religious institutions, including temples and mosques, questioning the selective targeting of their community by the state government and affiliated groups. This situation underscores the challenges faced by minority communities in Assam, spotlighting the urgent need for measures to ensure communal harmony and protect religious freedoms.