Nagaland Joint Christian Forum urges government to allow church names and religious symbols on vehicles.
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DIMAPUR — The Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF) has submitted a memorandum to the Advisor of the Department of Transport, Government of Nagaland, seeking permission for the use of identification stickers, logos, and religious markings on vehicles owned or officially used by churches and Christian organisations.
In the memorandum, the NJCF stated that Nagaland, being a Christian-majority state, takes pride in its faith and that churches have historically played an impocrtant role in society, especially during critical situations.
It maintained that church buildings and Christian symbols, particularly the cross, have long served as representations of the state’s Christian identity and are widely respected by both locals and visitors.
The forum pointed out that church-owned vehicles are increasingly necessary for pastoral duties, ministry work, outreach programmes, transportation of clergy and church workers, as well as emergency and relief services.
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According to the NJCF, displaying the name of the church on such vehicles serves primarily as an identification mark.
Referring to the government’s earlier prohibition on the use of designation nameplates, the forum said that those directives had been complied with without objection.
However, it expressed concern over the recent order directing the removal of church names and faith symbols from private vehicles, particularly church vehicles, describing the move as unreasonable and a misunderstanding of religious expression in Nagaland.
Clarifying its stand, the forum stated that the intention behind such displays was not to compete with or offend other religious communities, but merely to identify church property and vehicles engaged in ministry work.
The memorandum further highlighted the growing importance of clear identification of church vehicles for security, accountability, and ease of movement, particularly during late-night travel, funerals, conventions, emergency pastoral visits, and large religious gatherings.
In view of these concerns, the NJCF urged the Transport department to permit the use of official church identification stickers or logos on the front and rear windshields of vehicles owned or officially used by registered churches and Christian organisations.
It also requested permission for standard markings such as “Church Duty,” “Pastor,” “Church Worker,” or the name of the church or organisation on vehicle glass for easier identification by traffic personnel, police, and the public.
The forum additionally appealed to the department to issue guidelines to district RTOs and traffic police so that genuine church vehicles are not unnecessarily inconvenienced during routine checks, especially during night services, funerals, and emergency ministry work.
The NJCF maintained that such measures would enhance the security of pastors and church workers travelling at odd hours, help law enforcement agencies identify bona fide church vehicles, prevent misuse, and reduce misunderstandings during traffic management at large Christian gatherings.
It also claimed that similar provisions exist in other states for vehicles belonging to religious and charitable institutions engaged in public service.
The forum further asserted that, to date, the use of church names on vehicles had not resulted in any violation of government laws or regulations and had been exercised responsibly.
Assuring the government of responsible use, the NJCF stated that churches would be willing to submit a list of authorised vehicles to the department if required.
The forum expressed hope that the government would consider the request favourably and issue a suitable notification or order at the earliest.