Guwahati, November 1: Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) international joint general secretary Surendra Kumar Jain sparked controversy accusing churches of being involved in drug trafficking.
During the inaugural ceremony of the Joya Thaosen Computer Learning Centre at the KK Hojai Chatrinivas Building in Haflong, Dima Hasao district, on October 27, Jain claimed that churches are the sources of drugs trafficking, which he alleged was leading to the degradation of the younger generation.
Jain’s statement quickly sparked a significant backlash from the Christian community, who condemned the accusations as baseless and defamatory.
Christian leaders and organizations across the state voiced their concerns, describing the remarks as an attack on the community’s reputation and an attempt to undermine its contributions to society.
The United Christian Forum of Dima Hasao (UCFDH) strongly condemned Jain’s remarks, viewing them as a serious misuse of freedom of speech and an assault on the religious sentiments of the Christian community in Dima Hasao.
In a statement on Friday, UCFDH president DC Haja Daniel and secretary Winssonal Massa expressed profound disappointment over the accusations, describing them as unfounded and deeply hurtful. They stated,
“The UCFDH considers such a baseless allegation against the churches as a blatant misuse of freedom of speech and expression,” they said and emphasized that Jain’s statements had caused significant distress among the Christian community in the hill district.
The UCFDH reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to promoting a drug-free society through biblical teachings on sobriety, self-control, and the importance of caring for one’s body by avoiding harmful substances.
Daniel and Massa emphasized that the Church neither condones nor engages in the use or distribution of drugs. They highlighted the Church’s ongoing efforts to educate its members about the dangers of intoxicants, aiming to protect both individuals and the broader community.
The UCFDH condemned Jain’s statements as “derogatory and hateful” and urged all citizens of Dima Hasao, regardless of religious affiliation, to unite against drug abuse to foster a drug-free society.
Reacting to Jain’s statement, former MLA Samarjit Haflongbar said, “We have to scrutinize Jain’s statement. If it is true, law enforcement agencies should act swiftly, but if not, the statement is condemnable.”
Haflongbar emphasized that no place of worship—whether temple, mosque, or church—would distribute narcotics to harm the youth. Acknowledging the rise in drug abuse across Dima Hasao, he pointed out that while many young people are affected, it would be inappropriate to single out churches as the cause.
He urged restraint, noting that “such statements should always be avoidable.” Haflongbar recalled a previous incident where a controversial statement by the RSS sparked widespread protests and led to the tragic loss of two lives.
He highlighted that Dima Hasao has maintained communal harmony, with people of all faiths coexisting peacefully. “Nobody should destroy such unity and integrity,” he said, cautioning against rhetoric that could threaten this sense of brotherhood.
