A Catholic nun in Assam was abused by a bus conductor and other passengers in the vehicle for her religious habit and Christian faith. The disturbing incident of harassment occurred on February 17. Sister Rosemary, a nun serving at St. John's parish in Siju, South Garo Hills, was travelling from Dudhnoi to Goalpara when she was attacked.
According to Auxiliary Bishop Jose Chirackal of Tura, who brought the matter to light, Sister Rosemary boarded the bus around 11 am after paying her fare to Dudhnoi. Soon after, the bus conductor and some of the passengers began making derogatory remarks about her habit and faith. After some time, they stopped the bus in an isolated area and forced Sister Rosemary to get off, despite having already paid her fare.
With help from other passengers, Sister Rosemary caught another bus to Goalpara, but the traumatic experience caused her serious distress both as a woman and a religious person. Bishop Chirackal said the incident was ridiculous and unheard of, as many priests and nuns in Assam wear religious garb without issue. He blamed false narratives and propaganda against Christianity for the shameful event.
The matter quickly reached the Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW), which strongly condemned the harassment and urged the Assam government to identify and prosecute the perpetrators. It also appealed for religious tolerance between the two states.
Meghalaya Assembly member Charles Pyngrope also raised the issue, seeking intervention to bring those responsible to justice. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said he had discussed the matter with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who promised action. Education Minister Rakkam Sangma likewise wrote to the Chief Minister demanding a probe into the nun's mistreatment.
Sister Rosemary regularly travels from Meghalaya to Assam for various purposes. Like many Catholic clergy from Meghalaya, she wears her habit openly. Sangma argued that harassment for religious dress is unacceptable. Meghalaya is predominantly Christian; but only 3.7% of Assam's population are Christians. Discrimination and targeting of Christians has increased in Assam in recent times. As per critics, this is largely due to the promotion of majoritarian ideology.
