Shillong, Feb 22: Meghalaya Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma has said that harassment of Christian minorities needs to stop and strong action is required against perpetrators and urged Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma in a petition to take the matter up with the Assam government and the Union government as well.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma informed the Assembly on Thursday that he has already raised the matter with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma with an assurance that action will be taken.
The education minister expressed shock over the report of a Christian missionary nun working in Garo Hills being subjected to undue harassment by a group of culprits in a public bus who not only tormented her but even forced her out of the vehicle in Assam, last week.
The nun Sister Rosemary belongs to St. John’s Parish in Siju which is part of the Rongara-Siju constituency represented by Rakkam A Sangma in the state assembly.
Sister Rosemary had boarded the bus from Dudhnoi town to head to Goalpara on February 17th morning when the bus conductor and a few passengers began making derogatory remarks against her, her religious habit and her faith. She was then offloaded against her will from the bus at an isolated place.
In a memorandum handed over to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday, Rakkam Sangma stated that, “ I am saddened that this kind of discrimination against Christian minorities is happening in this great democratic country, especially in a state like Assam who shared a sisterhood state with Meghalaya.”
He added that such an act is highly condemnable and mustn’t be allowed to happen to any human being, especially women, particularly in our north eastern region.
The harassment was so traumatic that the nun had to seek immediate assistance and guidance from others as she was no longer in a position of normalcy after enduring the insults and was afraid to travel alone, said Rakkam Sangma.
Urging the chief minister to take up the matter with the Assam government and the Union Government in Delhi, Rakkam Sangma said that no harm or harassment should be allowed on any minority based on religion.
