Letter to Editor, The Assam Tribune

The Editor,

The Assam Tribune

Guwahati, Assam

 

Sir,

 

With reference to the news items on coinciding scheduled of ‘Vaishnavite Festivals’ and ‘Christian Missionaries’ Conference’ in Majuli Island published on your esteem paper dated 30th October and 7th November 2013, I would like to draw your attention on few points.

 

I know that Vaishnavite festivals – Paal Naam and Raas are regarded as inseparable parts of their over 400-year-old Vaishnavite tradition by the islanders. It is indeed a very important traditional festival for the people of that land. But, it is very unfortunate to learn that representatives of several organizations, including the Majuli Zilla Satra Mahasabha, met the SDO (Civil), Majuli on 29 October 2013 and handed over a memorandum pleading for immediate steps to prevent the organizers of the missionaries’ function from holding their proposed function, which is scheduled for November 13 to November 17 at Cherpaigaon in Jengraimukh area of the island.

 

Also, former MP and chairman of the voluntary organisation Majuli Island Protection and Development Council (MIPADC) - Dr Arun Kumar Sarma on November 5, 2013 (Tuesday) submitted a memorandum to President Pranab Mukherjee apprising him of the situation arising out of the issue and sought his intervention in this matter to save the island from the looming fratricidal clashes and to maintain age-old peace and amity of its people.

 

Another matter that saddens me is that, the provoking and the news writing style of a responsible daily paper on October 7 that goes, “……. created by the alleged confrontationist attitude of some Christian missionaries……….”. The word ‘confrontationist attitude of some Christian missionaries’ on the first paragraph is more than enough to provoke the people of Majuli Island to come out of the street and create nuisance in the island.

 

As a citizen of India and a strong believer of Freedom of Religion, I feel the majority and over 400-year-old Vaishnavite traditional followers need to cultivate the attitude of tolerance and acceptance. If they, as a responsible citizens of India really care for the maintenance of the century old and existing Peace and Harmony environment in the Island, should respect the Constitution of India and show their leadership quality to the world.

 

Are we not proud to be Indian, look at the House of India. We have a Hindu President Pranab Mukherjee, Muslim vice-president M. Hamid Ansari, a Sikh Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and an Atheist Defence Minister A. K. Antony. The leader of the largest party, the Indian National Congress, Sonia Gandhi is a Catholic Christian, while the leader of the opposition is Sushma Swaraj, a Hindu. India's ex-President APJ Abdul Kalam was a Muslim. Out of the 12 Presidents of India since Independence, three have been Muslims and one Sikh. India had a prominent former Defence Minister George Fernandes, a Christian. India's Air Force Chief, Fali H. Major, was a Zoroastrian.

 

The Assam Tribune, as a responsible daily newspaper in the state have a great role to play to maintain peace and harmony amongst the communities in Majuli Island.

 

 

Warm Regards

 

T. Zamlunmang Zou

Guwahati, Assam