DIMAPUR, Jan 31 � Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has observed that Governor PB Acharya, appointed by the BJP Government and sworn in as Governor of Nagaland in July last, was expected to shed his earlier RSS upbringing and mindset to uphold the sanctity and dignity of the Governor�s office.
However, it alleged, it is appalling to witness the Governor using the platform of official programmes on religious lines by publishing a �handout� on the occasion of Republic Day in the State that carried the picture of �Bharat Mata� standing on lotus holding the tricolour with the country�s map in the background.
At a time when religious minorities in the country are facing the onslaught of RSS-led communal forces, the needless action of the Governor is perhaps the ominous signs of greater agenda espoused by the BJP-RSS combine being unfolded to change the secular fabric of the nation, the Congress alleged in a press release.
The release claimed, ever since Nagaland became the 16th State on Dec 1, 1963, majority of the State Governors have been Hindus but they had all performed their constitutional duties without indulging in giving religious colours to any official programme or functions. The State has never witnessed any religious clashes or tensions and mutual respect for other religions have been the defining feature of the people who happen to be predominantly Christians.
NPCC strongly urges the Governor to refrain from abusing his constitutional position by portraying his beliefs on official platform with religious fervour, since this amounts to total disregard for religious sentiments of majority people in the State and also goes against the secular ideals enshrined in the Constitution, the press release said.
