Arunachal church body appeals to vote for Nabam Tuki

Guwahati: An appeal by Arunachal Pradesh Catholic Association to all Parishes and Catholic churches to vote for ex-Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Nabam Tuki has stirred a debate in the frontier state where political parties are trying to show their commitment to secularism.

The prayer petition, which is now viral on the social media, said, “Arunachal Pradesh Catholic Association appeal and request all the Parishes and catholic church in Arunachal to pray for Mr Nabam Tuki who is contesting ensuing Lok Sabha election 2019 from Western parliamentary constituency. He is the pillar of catholic church in Arunachal Pradesh.”

Various circles on social media have condemned the appeal. Union minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju has also taken note of this appeal.

While posting the prayer petition of the catholic association Mr Rijiju on his facebook page wrote, “This is not proper. We all are children of the God who never discriminates. Democracy is system in which the government is elected by the people. I’ve always served the people with full sincerity. I help all the believers and religious organisations. If anyone has doubt please contact most Reverend Bishop P.K. George to know about my contributions. Please pray for me and everyone.”

The APCA letter signed by secretary general Pekhi Nabum also requested to all the voters of catholic communities who are going to cast their votes on April 11 to vote in favour of Mr Tuki.

In what has certainly provoked the ruling BJP, the appeal of catholic association has triggered a fresh debate on the role of Christian missionaries in the Northeast.

The leaders of other political parties like National Peoples Party has also raised question over the appeal of catholic association to vote for Congress candidate.