Nagaland | Christian bodies slam BJP decision to immerse former PM Vajpayee’s ashes in state rivers

KOHIMA, August 27, 2018: The general secretary of Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho stated that while the church along with the rest of the country, mourned the death of the former prime minister of India late Atal Behari Vajpayee and understood the sentiments of the party (BJP), it is unhappy that the state BJP president and minister of higher and technical education Temjen Imna Along was to lead the immersion.

Dr.Keyho pointed out that Temjen Imna Along was supposed to be a Christian and undertaking a Hindu ritual normally carried out by Hindu priests or religious functionaries. So in a Christian dominated state, if the state BJP president was eager to lower the dignity of his professed faith in undertaking a ritual of another religion , all because of being a BJP, then it would be a very unwise and unwarranted move.

Rev. Keyho clarified that questioning Temjen Imna Along did not mean the NBCC was demeaning the memory of late Vajpayee nor Hindu religion itself but the very act of a professed Christian usurping the role of religious functionaries of another religion .

He said such unethical practices on the plea of political affiliation was an anathema and unacceptable to Nagas which could even cause a bigger divide. Showing respect for different cultures and religions of the land would help promote harmony, said Rev.Keyho.

He believed that such immersions could be done in rivers of states where these are practised as religious rituals but not in Nagaland. Rev.Keyho also informed that the NBCC extended moral support to the stand taken by Lotha Baptist Church (LBES). The other organisation opposing the immersion in Doyang river was the Lotha Hoho.

The LH chairman Mhao Lotha and general secretary Mhondamo Ovung disclosed that the Hoho was also totally opposed to the move to immerse the ash in Doyang rive located under Lotha area.

Temjen Imna Along Longkumer clarified that he has done no rituals, but by virtue of being the BJP president of Nagaland, he has received the ashes of Vajpayee to be handed over to the Minority Morcha of BJP Nagaland to perform the rites honourably.

Longkumer maintained that his faith cannot be questioned just because he has shown respect to a great leader who has done so much for the people of Nagaland, and felt it is an honour for the Naga people. On the criticisms from various quarters, he maintained that Nagaland being a secular state, people need to respect and be tolerant of each other.

He clarified "I am not going to do any rituals and I don't know any ritual" however, added that they will follow and immerse the ashes of Vajpayee in the river by the Minority Morcha of BJP Nagaland, which comprises of both Hindus and Muslims. When enquired in which river the ashes will be immersd, Longkumer refused to disclose the location.

TNT News with Naga Hills Express, Eastern Mirror inputs

Featured Image: Naga Hills Express