Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president and Jorhat MP Gaurav Gogoi strongly condemned the vandalism of Christmas decorations at St. Mary’s English School in Panigaon, Nalbari district, describing it as a serious attack on religious freedom and the constitutional principle of fraternity. The incident, which took place on December 24, disrupted Christmas celebrations in the state, leaving residents shocked and concerned about communal harmony. Speaking to Northeast Now, local resident John expressed his disappointment, saying, “It was unexpected in a land known for peace and religious harmony. We hope such an incident will not be repeated in the future.”
Allegations Against BJP-Linked Groups
Gogoi accused the ruling BJP of indirectly supporting divisive forces to divert attention from alleged governance failures and corruption. According to reports, the vandals were alleged activists of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal who entered the school premises and damaged decorations, including Christmas lights, flower pots, and other items. Some articles were reportedly set on fire, causing significant property damage. The school principal, Fr. Baiju Sebastian, filed a written complaint detailing the incident, which led to a case being registered at Belsor Police Station under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, with Sub-Inspector Chanakya Das assigned to investigate.
Arrests and Police Action
Following the complaint and investigation, Assam Police arrested four individuals allegedly connected to the incident: Bhaskar Deka, Manash Jyoti Patgiri, Biju Dutta, and Nayan Talukdar. All four are residents of Nalbari district and hold positions in the VHP and Bajrang Dal. The arrests have brought some relief to residents, but the incident has sparked widespread concern over attempts to disrupt religious festivities in Assam. Political parties, civil society groups, and community leaders have urged strict legal action against the perpetrators to maintain communal peace and prevent future incidents.
Gogoi’s Call for Legal Reform
In a detailed social media statement, Gogoi highlighted the importance of constitutional values, particularly the ideal of fraternity enshrined in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution. He stated that if Congress comes to power in Assam next year, the party would enact stringent laws to ensure severe punishment for anyone attacking or desecrating places of worship or religious festivals, regardless of the faith involved, including Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Jain, Buddhist, or Sikh communities. Gogoi reiterated the Congress party’s commitment to communal harmony and pledged to build a new Assam where citizens can celebrate their festivals without fear or threat of violence.
