Guwahati: Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president and Jorhat MP Gaurav Gogoi has strongly condemned the vandalism of Christmas decorations at St Mary’s English School in Panigaon in Nalbari district, describing the incident as a serious attack on religious freedom.
The incident occurred on December 24 at St. Mary’s English School in Panigaon, Nalbari district, when alleged activists of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal reportedly entered the school premises and vandalised decorations prepared for Christmas celebrations.
In a post on X, Gogoi said, “I strongly condemn the desecration of festive items and religious symbols in a school in Nalbari. The sitting MLA is the Minister responsible for the massive corruption in the Jal Jeevan Mission scheme. He is another close aide of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.”
The Congress leader said that following recent statewide Congress-led protests over the alleged JJM scam, the minister was seeking to strengthen his standing within the ruling party by allegedly relying on organisations such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal.
“After the recent state wide Congress led protests against the JJM scam, the BJP Minister needs the VHP and Bajrang Dal to regain his position within his party,” he stated.
Gogoi underscored that fraternity is enshrined in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution and said any act that undermines communal harmony must be dealt with firmly.
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He also said that if the Congress comes to power in Assam next year, the party would enact a strict law to punish individuals or groups found guilty of desecrating places of worship or religious symbols of any community, including Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Jain and Sikh faiths.
