Guwahati: Large-scale conversion by Christian missionaries in tribal and tea garden areas in Assam and other parts of Northeastern states is not new. Of late, evidence has emerged that Churches of Germany and other European countries are funding heavily for conversions in Assam.
A letter of appreciation sent by the Diocese of Tezpur in Assam to the Rev. Pfarrer or Pastor of Church in Germany, shows how the money sent from foreign nations is utilised in religious conversion in Assam. In the letter accessed by Legal Rights Observatory (LRO), the Diocese of Tezpur thanked the Rev. Pfarrer for donating and transferring 7500 Euros which amounts to Rupees 6 lakhs 55 thousand. The money was transferred on 18 January 2018 amid the pandemic restrictions in India.
Thanking the Garmany-based pastor for the donation, the Diocese of Tezpur, in his letter, clearly mentioned that the money would be utilised for evangelization (religious conversion to Christianity) and faith formation. In the letter to the Garmany-based pastor, the Diocese of Tezpur also mentioned that during the pandemic restrictions, they were busy in the various apostolate, including religious conversions through teaching, health care and other social works.
The World Hindu Federation state general secretary Balen Baishy termed it as religious aggression by the missionaries. He said Baptiste and Catholics are equally engaged in religious conversion in Assam and North East. He urged the state government to bring a strict law against religious conversation. Baishya said the central government should properly inquire how these institutions are getting foreign funding for religious conversion?
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