There are different categories of people in society. People who are true to what they stand for, and people who go on changing from time to time. There are also people who are ready to die for their faith, and there are people who easily give up their faith in times of life’s storms (Mt. 7:24-27). To live and die for one’s faith is not an easy cup of water/wine. The cup is bitter and sour for many souls. There are people who enjoy giving such bitter and sour cups of wine to others (Mk. 15:36)
Such bitterness is being experienced by Christians even in North East India. There are many villages in North East where the law/commandment of “One Village, One Religion” has captured the hearts of the foolish Christians. This commandment is added as the eleventh commandment by the present Christian generation. They have made Moses to be confused as to when such a commandment came into existence. Few groups of Christians think that what they agree upon is the best solution to all the problems in the society till the second coming of Jesus. But it looks as though even if Jesus comes down, he may be cast out of the village by the best masked Christians.
Is there “Freedom of Religion” in North East India? The recent incident at Leingangching village under Ukhrul district will throw some light into the reality of this forsaken freedom. It is Christians who fail to practice this ‘right to religious belief’ in their own locality/soil. If Christians cannot practice this right, than we have no right to demand the same from non-Christians. The incident has shattered the real spirit of Christianity. The denial of burial of Mrs. Rita Haorei who died on 7th August, 2017 has brought the media to tell the true face of Christianity. Many Christians are becoming anti-Christians. Sad but true. Are Christians so cruel that they know only how to fight among themselves? If your Church has no values of Christian life, please throw it away. The pigs and dogs can replace you as good Christians. Animals can be better Christians than human beings. At least some people can martyr them for good food at their table. If you cannot be a good Christian, at least be a good food for good Christians.
The family of Mr. H. Yangmi embraced Catholicism in the spirit of freedom. But they were expelled from the village (2010) just because they became Catholics (Christians expelled by another Christian because they wanted to love God more and hate neighbours forever). The houses of the Catholics were either destroyed or strewn on the national highway. In the month of Jan/Feb 2011, Mr. Yangmi paid customary fine of Rs. 20,000 for violating the village avowed sectarian constitution which says that Leingangching “will be a Baptist Christian Village”. Mr. H. Yangmi and party continue to remain outcast since 3rd May, 2010 till date without any status or identity in Litan village.
Attempts to settle the issue amicably through visits and appeals by The Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), All Manipur Christian Organisation (AMCO), Tribal Christian Leaders Forum (TCLF), All Manipur Catholic Union (AMCU)bore no fruits. On 15th September, 2014, Mrs. Ningmila Teresa w/o Mr. Joseph Lungshi (one of the cast out members) died. The villagers refused dignified burial in her rightful village (Leingangchang). The dead body was transported to Hunpung village which is 45 km away. Likewise, Mr. Joseph Lungshi was also denied burial in his own village.
Such is the religious intolerance and discrimination practiced by Christians. Did we get freedom to suppress others? I do not think so. What shall we call these Christians as? Shall we call such Christians as “anti-Christ” “anti-Christians”, “anti-religious”, “anti-human beings” or “pure Christians”? This kind of religious intolerance among Christian brethren is a shame to be spoken off. What inspired people to be so intolerant to each other? Did God ever mentioned in the Bible that there shall be only Baptist church in the whole world? All other churches shall be pulled down and burnt to ashes (please refer some incidents in Nagaland as well). Some few protestant brothers spoil the beautiful scenery of the whole church. Today, the face of Christians are darkened by discrimination of many sorts. They hide behind the mask to save themselves. The real face is too ugly to be approached. Even God is frightened to look at his followers. What a state of life!
The States of North East India complained about intolerance of the Hindu brethren in many States. How many Christians get irritated by the term “Hindu Rastra or Hinduvta”? How many Christians say that BJP is pro-Hindus? How many Christians say that we are not given the right to practice our faith and belief freely? We criticizeothers and do the action here in our land. Many appeals have been made by different Christian denominations for peaceful religious co-existence in India. The Constitution of India gives the “Right to Freedom of Religion” to every citizen (Article 25). Yet, North East remain deaf and dumb to this right. When North East people are humiliated in the cities dominated by other race and religions, we cry and condemn such act. But the same act done inside our States are best accepted. We are too frighten to speak the truth, we only know how to bark at others as an elocution practice.
Today, there are villages in many parts of Nagaland where the self-made rule/commandment of “One Village, One Religion” is strictly imposed. To go against it would mean expulsion from the village. Let the concern authorities do away with such unlawful practice. If the law continues, we will begin the third world war – the war among Christian churches. Please take time and ask yourself, how many Christians are expelled from the Hindus/Muslims dominated areas? May be rare. The number of Christians expelled by their own Christians may be more in number (let us not pretend to be surprised by such truth). How many of our brothers and sisters peacefully study/stay outside North East without any hindrance from people of other religions. It is we (Christians) who need to put down our decorated face in shame. We are becoming worse than non-Christians. The non-Christians are rather more Christians than many of us.
These are just a little taste of the forsaken freedom. There are many historical facts where Christians were more devilish than the devil himself in Nagaland.
All of us have the right to life and worship God. Let Christians promote peaceful co-existence among its own brothers and sisters. Only then we can happily go to our well established Church to worship God in truth and in spirit (Jn. 4:23-24)
God Bless Nagaland.
Yours in Christ Jesus,
Rev. Fr. G. L. Khing
Kohima
tisislawkhing@gmail.com
