Golaghat Church Leader Faces Jail Under Assam’s Law on ‘Magical Healing’

A church leader from Golaghat district in Assam has become the first individual convicted under the state's newly enforced law against "magical healing." This law, enacted to address exploitative practices under the guise of traditional or religious healing, has sparked controversy over its implications for religious freedom and cultural practices.

The arrest followed allegations that the leader conducted healing sessions promising miraculous cures, a practice authorities deemed deceptive and harmful. The law aims to prevent exploitation, particularly of marginalized communities, by penalizing those claiming supernatural abilities for medical purposes. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has emphasized the necessity of such regulations to curb misuse while maintaining that the law targets fraudulent practices rather than genuine traditional or faith-based healing.

Critics argue that the legislation risks overreach, potentially infringing on constitutional rights to religious expression. Faith-based groups, including the Assam Christian Forum, have raised concerns about the law’s implementation. They contend that the government is conflating spiritual practices with coercion, thereby undermining acts of compassion and healing rooted in prayer. Archbishop Moolachira of Guwahati has reiterated that such spiritual interventions should not be misinterpreted as proselytization but rather as acts transcending religious boundaries.