In Arunachal Pradesh’s Lohit district 65-year-old widow from the Mishmi tribe, an indigenous group mostly found in the northeastern region of the state has been persecuted by the village’s Presbyterian Christians for upholding her long-held traditional faith.
According to a report in the Goa Chronicle, Sodyanglu Polong, a resident of the Mekailiang village in the Tezu tehsil—a region famous for the Parashuram Kund, which Hindus regard as sacred—has written a letter to the pastor of the Tezu Church pleading with him to ask the Presbyterian Church members not to harass her on account of her religion and to allow her to practice her long-standing customs and faith in peace.
The elderly woman described her struggle in her letter, including the tragic occasion when her Puja room, which had been used as a prayer centre without her knowledge, was desecrated by the missionaries. In the letter, Polong added that the missionaries had disrespectfully handled the animal’s skull, which was precious in her religion.
The letter also describes how Polong’s daughter-in-law became a Christian on 17 September 2023 on the grounds of the local Presbyterian Church. However, the elderly woman has also stated that she has no objections to her daughter-in-law’s recently embraced religion; all she asks is that the missionaries respect her traditions and beliefs. In the end, the old widow in her letter urged the pastor to ensure that the missionaries do not perform any prayer ceremonies at her house without her approval.
The native tribes living in the mountainous region of Arunachal practice Animism; yet, many of these groups still trace their origins to the ancient Sanathana heritage and culture. Arunachal Pradesh is also known as the Land Of The Rising Sun and the Mishmis, who can trace their origins to King Bhismak and his daughter Rukmini, who married Bhagwan Krishna.
According to reports, brisk conversions are being carried out by Christian missionaries in Arunachal and other neighbouring regions and the area is facing a serious danger to their traditional rituals and religious beliefs. Although the majority of the clan adheres to animism and reveres animal capabilities, an increasing number of them have decided to adopt Christianity in place of their long-standing customs.
In just five decades, the situation in the lower Arunachal is specifically of concern. Districts like Longding and Tirap have been the epicenter of conversion, and the missionary footprints are spreading in central eastern regions like Lohit where the Mishmis live in significant numbers.
In 1971, the percentage of Christians in the state was less than 1%. According to a report in the Hindu Post, the Christian population of the state rose to 5% only in a decade, registering a 600%.
(with inputs from Organiser)
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