Articles

Time we speak up against divisive agenda

Opinion | Articles | Tom Mangattuthazhe | 16-Mar-2024

My heart bleeds when some people with divisive intents talk of Christian missionaries being responsible for all the problems in our region – the North East India, because I am a missionary myself, a priest of the Catholic. I began my journey in the state of Assam, and I shall continue to do so till as long as age and health allows me to continue working with the people.  I have worked as a teacher of Dokmoka Krist Jyoti School, Assumption School Chokihola, Holy Family School Japrajan, Acting Principal of Don Bosco School, Diphu, St.Joseph School Dolomora, Principal of St.Mary’s School Diphu, Principal of Little Flower School Manja, Principal of Krist Jayanti School Dhansiri, Principal of St. Marys School Daldali. All these institutes are in Assam, and today the young people I once had the opportunity to teach, remember me as their teacher than a priest, because ours always had been teacher-student relationship, and not that of a preacher – faithful association.

It gives me tremendous joy when I meet my past pupils, some very successful in their respective fields, some not so successful, yet always grateful, loyal and respectful. They still are Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhist and Christians – their religions when they were students. The most important thing is, all of them are responsible citizens of this country. During my days as a teacher in these Schools, I have always walked the corridors and the classrooms wearing my Cassock, not as a uniform, but a symbol of my being a member of the Catholic missionary, the Church that runs and sustained these educational institutions. My commitment towards keeping the tradition of my faith through the wearing of this attire has never been seen negatively by my non-Christian colleagues, students, and parents at any point in time. Instead, it has always been received with appreciation. Not even once, had anyone construed my Cassock wearing as for purpose of converting people from other faiths to Christianity. 

Likewise, display of pictures of any personality in some corners of the institutes, even that of Christ, have never ever been seen as an attempt to convert, or transform educational institutions into houses of conversion as some divisive forces attempts to portray.  Certain personalities, such as Mahatama Gandhi, Jawahar Lal Nehru, Sardar Valabh Bhai Patel etc., made significant contributions and shaped the destiny of our country. Therefore, through repeated viewing of their pictures, they inspire us of their sacrifices and contributions. The same is also true of people who made certain achievements – in science, social, or economic, that changed the lives of mankind. They have no political or cultic connotation, but simply a way of reverence.  We honour these famous people, preserve their memories, and recall their contributions with gratitude when we look at their statues and pictures. We do not worship them but we commemorate them because they have contributed to the society in some significant way.

In a similar way, Christians, particular the Catholic Church - lay people, Priests and Nuns honour and preserve the memory of important men and women whom the Church recognizes as saintly.  These saints are notable people who are honoured and remembered for their incredible lives on earth and their immeasurable contributions to shaping our history. Strangely and disturbingly, social media posts are replete with hate messages written and circulated by people with divisive intents, people who want to see societies divided based on religion, caste, race and creed. Such materials are liberally forwarded or shared by others who do not subscribe to the agenda, but without realising that in doing so, they are indeed succumbing to the sinister designs of divisive forces.

My sincere appeal to my students, parents, and well-wishers of Assam, particularly in the district of Karbi Anglong, would shun and stand up against voices and activities aimed at creating division and friction between people of different affiliations. You may not necessarily speak up if you don’t wish to, but at least avoid spreading these venomous messages by sharing.

Christian missionaries are accused of converting people because they educate the poor and the downtrodden. Imagine what would have been the state of Karbi Anglong district if Christians have not started missionary schools and began educating people?  Men and women who had passed out from these missionary schools know well whether conversion was the objective. They know apart from imparting value education there were no other intentions. They know that churches and chapels in the school campuses are meant only to facilitate Christians to worship, and not to force others to attend. It is time that men and women in our society, who have had the privilege of receiving quality education from these institutes, speak out against wrong narratives being spread by people who want to divide us, because it is only the enlightened ones who could defend people’s constitutional rights, and safeguard human values in Assam.

For me, the white cassock is a sacred dress, the tradition of my Church, which teaches me love, compassion and service to mankind. Therefore, I shall not be intimidated by these wild threats, but wear it with pride and with my head held high, because I am the follower of Christ who is the giver of real human value, and I live for him.

(The Author is a Catholic Priest, with several years of service in the state of Assam. Views expressed are personal)

 

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