Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Credit: PTI File Photo
Guwahati: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday stressed that "religious status quo" is very important for achieving "a proper balance" in the state.
"We believe that there should be a religious status quo. Whoever is Muslim, let them be Muslims, whoever is Christian, let them be Christian and whoever is Hindu, let them remain Hindu. So that a proper balance can be achieved in our state. So we want to curb evangelist activities to prevent conversion in our state," Sarma told reporters in the Assembly premises.
Sarma said the state cabinet on Saturday approved a bill to prohibit "magical healing," a practice the CM claimed was being used to convert the tribal people in Assam. The Assam (Prevention of Evil) Practices Bill, 2024 seeks to book those involved in "magical healing" and impose punishment and fine.
The bill was cleared by the Cabinet a few days after police detained two US citizens, who had taken part in religious activities in Sonitpur district but were on tourist visas. Police claimed that they were part of Christian evangelical activities in order to convert the tribals into Christianity.
But many within the ruling BJP said that the act was also aimed at Badruddin Ajmal, the Lok Sabha member and chief of All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), who is also found offering such healing practices. Ajmal's capacity to provide healing services is also considered as one of the reasons for his popularity among the immigrant Muslims. But Sarma said the new legislation would be for all religions.
Sarma said he is in touch with the central leadership to work out a comprehensive Uniform Civil Code that would also include provisions to ban polygamy.