Mizoram's Home Minister, K Sapdanga, has voiced strong condemnation over an incident where Christmas Eve celebrations were forcibly disrupted at a school in Assam. The event, which took place at St Mary’s School in Panigaon, Nalbari district, has sparked concerns about the erosion of secular values and democratic principles in the region.
Minister Decries "Violation of Secular Values"
In an official statement released on Sunday, Home Minister K Sapdanga expressed his deep anguish over the unfortunate occurrence. He described the disruption, caused by miscreants, as an attack on the peaceful observance of Christmas—a festival he highlighted as a symbol of peace, goodwill, and compassion. Sapdanga stressed that any attempt to disturb communal harmony or instill fear among worshippers was completely unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest terms.
The minister did, however, acknowledge and welcome the swift action taken by the Assam authorities, who have already made arrests in connection with the case. Sapdanga emphasized that the rule of law must always prevail and called upon all communities to actively uphold unity, mutual respect, and understanding to ensure lasting peace in the northeastern region.
Political Condemnation and Allegations from Congress
The incident has also drawn sharp criticism from the opposition. The Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) joined in condemning the Nalbari event, linking it to a broader pattern of intolerance. MPCC president Lal Thanzara called the disruption "a matter of deep shame," alleging that attacks on Christmas celebrations have become increasingly frequent under the rule of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the centre.
Thanzara cited reports of vandalism, interruptions of carol singing, and even assaults on children during festive occasions across the country. He directly accused organizations affiliated with the BJP's ideological sphere, such as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Bajrang Dal, and Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), of acting with impunity, especially in states governed by the BJP. According to Thanzara, the Nalbari incident exposes the government's failure to protect minority communities and uphold constitutional values.
Making a serious claim, the MPCC president stated that Christians in India have faced a staggering 834 incidents of persecution in the year 2024 alone. He demanded accountability from the ruling establishment and expressed solidarity with all affected communities. "Christmas should never be a season of fear," Thanzara asserted, urging missionaries and believers to continue practicing their faith without intimidation.
Calls for Political Action and Regional Solidarity
Going beyond condemnation, Lal Thanzara issued a political appeal in response to the growing climate of intolerance. He called upon all political parties in Mizoram to withdraw any form of support extended to the BJP as a mark of protest. This move underscores the regional political dimensions of the incident, highlighting the tension between the BJP-led central government's ideology and the predominantly Christian social fabric of states like Mizoram.
The disruption at St Mary’s School in Nalbari has thus transcended a local law-and-order issue, morphing into a significant point of political and ideological contention. It raises critical questions about the protection of minority rights and the preservation of India's secular ethos in the current socio-political landscape.
