A 75-year-old Catholic chapel in India’s northeastern state of Assam was reduced to ashes in what authorities suspect was a deliberate act of arson, occurring amidst celebrations of local priests’ ordination and traditional Assamese festivities.
The Chapel of St Therese of the Child Jesus in Chokragaon village was destroyed by fire around 10:30 PM on 15 January, coinciding with Assamese Bhogali Bihu celebrations. The incident has sparked widespread outrage across Udalguri district, with residents expressing shock and calling for swift justice.
Bishop Michael Akasius Toppo of Tezpur told reporters that authorities indicated the fire was intentionally set. The destruction came just days after two local men, Fr Charles Murmu and Fr Lambert Ekka, were ordained as priests and celebrated their first Mass in the chapel’s courtyard, attended by villagers from various denominations.
“Our sacred chapel has been reduced to ashes. Everything was burnt - roof, wooden windows, altar, crucifix, statues,” Bishop Toppo said, estimating losses at 1.5 million rupees. He emphasised that the chapel, built in 1950, had been a symbol of interfaith harmony, with “people and families of all denominations living in peace and harmony.”
The chapel served a vibrant community of 160 Catholic families from diverse ethnic backgrounds, including Santalis, Bodos, Nepalis, and Adivasis. Fr Xavier Narzary, secretary to the Bishop of Tezpur, noted that the village had produced many religious sisters and priests over the years. Following the fire, villagers must now travel to their parish church or gather in homes for worship.
Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) Chief Executive Member Pramod Boro strongly condemned the attack and directed the district administration to conduct a detailed investigation. BTR Executive Members Ranjit Basumatary and Dhanjay Basumatary visited the site, urging the community to maintain peace. Police have registered a First Information Report and increased patrols in the area to prevent potential communal tensions.
The incident occurs amid what Christian leaders describe as growing tensions in Assam, where right-wing Hindu groups have been campaigning against Christian missionaries. These groups accuse missionaries of using fraudulent methods and incentives to convert tribal people to Christianity, and have demanded the removal of Christian symbols from institutions and restrictions on religious practices.
The state, governed by the Hindu-leaning Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), recently enacted the Assam Magical Healing (Prevention of Evil Practices) Act, which Christian leaders claim targets their religious gatherings and healing prayers. Christians comprise 3.74 percent of Assam’s 31 million people, above the national average of 2.3 percent.
Christian organisations, including the Assam Christian Forum and the United Christian Forum of Udalguri, have extended their solidarity to the affected community. Bishop Toppo noted that the incident has paradoxically strengthened ecumenical Christian unity, with the community “united in prayer, suffering, anguish and cooperation” during the observance of Unity Week in the Holy Jubilee Year.
The villagers have begun a Novena to Mary, praying for the chapel’s rebuilding and protection. Despite the devastating loss, Bishop Toppo expressed hope: “We are Pilgrims of Hope this Jubilee Year, though tinged with sadness over the Chapel burning. We are filled with great hope, our chapel, and church village community, will be rebuilt.”
