Shillong, Jan 3: NEHU Professor Lakhon Kma has condemned a series of attacks targeting members of Christian community and alleged attempts to disrupt Christmas celebrations in different parts of the country.
He expressed concern and anguish over vandalism and said people who have no sense of Christmas should visit the Northeast to understand the true meaning of democracy and secularism.
Kma stated that allegations of forceful conversions to Christianity are baseless, citing the 2011 census, which shows Christians make up only 2.3 per cent of the population. “These fringe elements think this is a Hindu rashtra and want to make it a Hindu nation, ignoring the Constitution,” he said.
Kma pointed out that in Shillong, many Hindus send their children to Christian institutions without fear of conversion. He expressed surprise that the Prime Minister is not speaking out against these fringe elements, mostly found in BJP-ruled states.
“The police are not acting against these groups, and anarchy prevails,” Kma said, adding that this is a blatant violation of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to religion.
Kma questioned the union government’s silence on the issue which was rampant this Christmas festival in some states, asking why the Prime Minister isn’t speaking out against these groups. “It’s important to discuss why we’re allowing these fringe elements to create fear,” he said.
