Controversial Assam Healing Practices Act Impacts NDA’s Performance in Northeast

Former Meghalaya minister Lahkmen Rymbui has attributed the recent setbacks faced by the NDA in the Northeast to the controversial Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practices Act 2024, which has been criticized by Christians as a restriction on religious freedom.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on June 8, MLA Rymbui highlighted how the contentious law, which aims to eradicate non-scientific healing practices with ulterior motives through fines and imprisonment, influenced the electoral outcome. He referenced discussions in the Nagaland Assembly on March 1, urging Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to prioritize consensus-building in governance, as advised by the Prime Minister.

Sarma, however, attributed the NDA’s losses in Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Manipur to opposition from a “particular religion.” He claimed that this religion, which typically refrains from interfering in politics, openly worked against the NDA in these states, including Assam.

The BJP suffered setbacks across the region, losing two seats in Manipur, where ethnic strife remains a significant issue. In Meghalaya, the newly formed Voice of the People’s Party (VPP) ousted Congress MP Vincent Pala, while in Tura, Congress’ Saleng Sangma defeated former Union Minister Agatha Sangma of the NPP. Nagaland witnessed a Congress resurgence, with S. Supongmeren Jamir winning the lone seat.

Despite the Assam government’s emphasis on creating a “science-based, safe environment” through the Assam Healing Practices Act, concerns over religious freedom persist. The law’s contentious nature continues to influence political discourse and electoral dynamics in the region, highlighting the delicate balance between religious rights and public health initiatives.