Christmas celebrations scaled back over Garg’s death, school vandalism

Guwahati: Christmas celebrations in Assam were notably subdued this year due to a combination of recent violence and the passing of beloved singer Zubeen Garg. The Christian community had already decided to scale back festivities in light of Garg's death, and the situation was further exacerbated by incidents of violence in the West Karbi Anglong district and vandalism at a missionary school in Nalbari.While religious services were held in churches across the city, attendance was lower than in previous years, with many non-Christians opting not to visit. At St Joseph's Church in Guwahati, the gates were closed after the Christmas mass, a departure from the usual open-door policy that welcomes visitors from across the city.Allen Brooks, spokesperson for the Assam Christian Forum, attributed the subdued atmosphere to apprehensions following the Nalbari incident involving Hindutva activists. "Zubeen was closely associated with the church and sang about 40 gospel songs. Many churches already decided to tone down the pomp, grandeur, and fanfare for this Christmas in Assam," Brooks explained.Despite the somber mood, Garg's gospel song "Bordin, Bordin..." echoed in many churches across the Brahmaputra Valley. Dr Azizul Haque, a retired pastor, said the usual Christmas community feast at Dispur Baptist Church was cancelled as the community continued to mourn Garg's death.Prayers for world peace and the return of peace in West Karbi Anglong were offered in many churches. The United Christian Forum in Karbi Anglong district advised against night carols and celebrations outside churches due to prohibitory orders on gatherings in the area.