Intro : When even a stone is thrown in the campuse of any Church anywhere in the country, the Church in Nagaland cries hoax at the top of their voice. Now they all are mum.
July 22, 2015 will be remembered as the blackest day in recent history of Nagaland. On this day a Zeliangrong Heraka Kelum Ki (Heraka Mandir) was forcibly defiled and demolished in broad day light. When Heraka followers came out to protect the temple, they were threatened to be killed by Ramkia and his associates, the ex-chairman of Mbaupungwa village who mobilised some fanatic Church activists to enact demolition drama waving lethal weapons in their hands. The news of demolition of the temple spread like wild fire in whole of Peren district of Nagaland and Zeliangrong areas in Assam and Manipur. Heraka followers are deeply agitated over it. Zeliangrong Heraka Association is going to write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to curb the Christian Talibans in Nagaland.
When even a stone is thrown in the campuse of any Church in other parts of the country, the Church in Nagaland cries hoax at the top of their voice. The pro-Christian media of Nagaland including print and electronic over-publicise it. But when a Heraka Mandir is razed to the ground that too nowhere else but in Chief Minister T R Zeliang’s village—Mbaupungwa near Tening in Peren district of Nagaland—it is no news for them.
Where are those from Nagaland who talk of freedom of religion and freedom of speech guaranteed in the Constitution? I put a question to these secularists whether secularism means freedom only to Church to proselytise Rani Gaidinliu’s followers – Heraka religionists and convert them through intimidation and threat. Do Heraka followers not have same freedom to practice their native eternal religion? We prefer to die than to convert to a foreign religion—the imperialistic religion-Christianity which has swallowed the true cultural identity of converted Nagas. This is a sorry state of affairs which every sensible and sensitive Naga ought to think.
Wherever the Church has gone, it has demolished the native civilisation. America, Africa and Europe are testimony to this fact. The same thing is happening in Nagaland. Inca, Maya, Aztec and Cheroki tribes of America are reviving their religion and culture. African tribes are reviving their Voodoo religion. British in UK are reviving their Dhrud religion. Governments of African sub-continent have recognised Voodoo religion and UK Government has recognised Dhrud religion. The Churches are being sold out in USA and UK. Most unfortunately, the reverse is happening in Nagaland in quest of proving super Christians more than American and British. America, Africa and Europe are in bee-line to come to India for spiritual solace.Whereas Naga Christians look towards West for salvation after death. These fanatic Naga Christians feel that demolition of Heraka Mandir and other native places of worship of Nagas would earn Jesus Christ’s bliss. This is contrary to the truth.
Heraka community has drawn the attention of Shri PB Acharya, Governor of Nagaland, CM Shri TR Zeliang and all MLAs to protect the Heraka Community, which is at the target of Church. Herakas are at the top in the hit list of Church. Please remember, the eternal ways of worship among Nagas have been uprooted. Even if they want to revive, they can’t. Only Heraka tradition is left in some pockets which church declares as the biggest hurdle in the path of conversion crusade. Remember that days are not very far off when Nagas will not be able to present their indigenous religion at world fora of eternal religions.
Tanzan Zeliang (The writer is general secretary of Zeliangrong Heraka Association)
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