Dimapur: The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has accused the BJP governments in the Northeast of destroying and demolishing churches, the latest being the demolition of three churches in Manipur.
NPCC, in a press release issued by its communication department, stated that three churches in Manipur namely Evangelical Baptist Convention Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church Manipur and Catholic Holy Spirit Church were demolished in the presence of heavy security forces on April 11.
Pointing out that one of the churches was constructed in 1974, NPCC said while Manipur chief minister “refused to comment,” even the chief ministers of Nagaland, Mizoram and Meghalaya remained silent spectators.
“Christians are 41% in Manipur, however, there is no respect for its citizens by the government. It looks like BJP has already assessed the weakness of Christian Members in the Parliament and State Assemblies,” it stated.
The state Congress also recalled that though a church was destroyed recently in Assam, yet no leader had raised voice in the Parliament or Assembly.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]It went on to allege that for the Christian legislators, to remain in power and in the good book of the BJP government, has become greater than their faith.
“How many churches in the tribal areas have construction permission? Should all the churches that do not have construction permits be allowed to be destroyed,” NPCC questioned.
Stating that the time has come for Christians to think deeper than just money and power, NPCC said the issue at hand is “survival of faith and identity.”
“North and West India vote for Hindu nationalism, others vote for their pride and identity. Northeast should no longer ignore the threat to our faith and identity,” it added.