The Nagaland Church Forum has appealed to legislators to avoid the Assembly debate on ‘satanic worship’, urging respect for faith and freedom of belief.
BY PC Bureau
September 1, 2025: The Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF) has urged Assembly Speaker Sharingain Longkumer to avoid discussions on “satanic worship” in the House, warning that such debates could inadvertently promote a practice considered “alien to Naga society.”
In a letter to the Speaker, NJCF president N. Paphino stressed that satanic worship lacks the character of an organized religion and is rejected across cultures and faiths. He argued that acts linked to “evil, violence, or immorality” are already addressed under civil law and opposed by spiritual teachings. While India’s Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, Paphino pointed out that it does not extend to practices harmful to public order. Highlighting fears of unintended publicity, he urged the government to adopt a clear position against satanic practices instead of giving them a platform in the Assembly.
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The appeal comes ahead of the Assembly’s monsoon session on September 2, when legislators are scheduled to debate a motion on the “Prohibition of Satanic Worship in Nagaland.” The motion, brought under Rule 54 by Naga People’s Front (NPF) MLA Küzholuzo Nienü, will be taken up after Question Hour on Tuesday.
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Nienü, who first raised the issue as one of urgent public importance, claimed that young Nagas were being drawn into cult-like groups with incentives such as cash or vehicles. He alleged that participants often displayed “strange behavior” after rituals and emphasized that the matter was separate from recognized religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, or Jainism. Framing the phenomenon as a threat to Nagaland’s Christian identity and its motto “Nagaland for Christ,” Nienü called for a resolution banning such practices.
While hard evidence of organized satanic worship in Nagaland is limited, similar anxieties have surfaced in Mizoram, where authorities reported dozens of fringe groups allegedly engaging in grave-digging, night-time rituals, and séances. Experts caution that some claims may conflate subcultures like goth or heavy metal communities with cult activity, urging a nuanced approach.
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The upcoming debate is expected to weigh preventive measures such as awareness campaigns, closer monitoring of suspected groups, and possible legislation. Church leaders and conservative groups have demanded urgent intervention, while civil society voices stress education, youth engagement, and social support rather than punitive action alone.
