No intention to conduct church survey: Assam CM

• Last month, Assam government and the BJP kept its rant high when the state government ordered madrasa survey
• I think we should not ask for such kind of information like how many churches are there in Assam: Sarma
• Asked the DGP to take corrective measures because the government does not want to offend religious sentiments of any community

Unlike survey of madrasas in Assam, the state chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma does not want the similar kind of survey of the churches in the state.

After the Assam police issue directive to districts for carrying out a survey on churches, the CM on Saturday asked the DGP to inquire why such a letter was issued and immediately take “corrective measures”. He further went to add that he did not discuss the issue of church survey was “never discussed at any government forum.” Talking to a private news channel on Saturday, he said that there is not intention to carry out any survey on religious institutions like churches.

The chief minister was reacting to a letter from the Special Branch of Assam Police to the district administrations seeking information on the number of churches, religious conversion and people involved in forceful conversions, if any, according to PTI.

Last month, Assam government and the BJP kept its rant high when the state government asked madrasas to provide all information about their institutes, including the location and profile of teachers employed by them.

It is said that the police might have issued the directive on the same line. However, the Assam CM said: “I think we should not ask for such kind of information like how many churches are there in Assam. This might hurt the sentiment of a particular religious community. We should avoid this kind of thing.”

“I completely disassociate myself from the letter as it was never discussed in any government forum. The letter is wholly unwarranted and as a citizen of Assam, we want to live in peace and harmony with all the communities,” Sarma said. “Let me check the background; why such a letter has been issued,” he said.

Pointing out that such a letter (if the government wants to issue at all) is circulated by the DGP or the home department, the chief minister said he was unaware in what context, an officer in the rank of a superintendent of police had come out with the “controversial” letter, reported Outlook.

“I have already asked the DGP to make an inquiry and take corrective measures because the government does not want to offend religious sentiments of any community,” he said.

It is believed that a large section of BJP wants to “control” activities of the churches in the state as they are allegedly involved in “conversion drive”. However, the CM emphasized that there is a distinction between forceful conversions and otherwise. He added there will be no police crackdown on any such attempt in Assam as the state does not have any law to regulate conversion as of now.

-INDIA NEWS STREAM