Baptist/Catholic fracas in India

All Catholic schools in Nagaland in northeastern India remained closed on July 23 protesting the demolition of a Catholic church in a village, allegedly instigated by Baptists who have banned other denominations in the village.

The church in Anatongre in Kiphire district was destroyed July 9 according to Father Mathew Thuniampral, secretary of education commission, reported Telegraph newspaper from Kolkata.

He said the demolition is the result of resolution passed by village authorities and the students’ union of Anatongre on March 18 that there shall be only Baptist Christian denomination in the village.

They warned that Rs 50,000 would be imposed against those who bring in other religion/denomination to the village, their moveable and immovable properties seized and the defaulters expelled from the village.

Kohima diocesan spokesperson Father R.R. Graviour Augustine said such resolutions are prevalent in many parts of the state and it is a “blatant violation of the fundamental right to freedom of religion guaranteed by the Constitution,” he said.

A Catholic church was also dismantled at Kezo town in Kohima district some years ago.

The Nagaland Baptist Church Council, however, termed as “unfortunate” that the Anatongre crisis has been blown out of proportion by people without studying the ground realities and listening to both parties in conflict.

Nagaland is pre-dominantly Baptist Christian and Catholics are a minority though they have scores of schools and institutions across the state.