Members of the ‘Society for the Preservation of Sumi Language’ addressing the press conference held in Dimapur on April 9.
Terms latest version blasphemous
Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 9
A forum calling itself the ‘Society for the Preservation of Sumi Language’ has called for the immediate suspension and recall of the newly revised Sumi Bible translation, alleging that the text is “corrupted” and linguistically “defective.” Speaking at a press conference, in Dimapur, on April 9, the forum held that the new version published by the Bible Society of India (BSI) contains errors that distort and undermine the Sumi language, and Christian theology.
The forum, comprising retired pastors and tribal advisors, stated that the allegedly erroneous revised translation was released despite a standing resolution, dating to July 2024, from major Sumi organisations, including the Sumi Hoho, Sumi Totimi Hoho, the Sumi Literature Board, and Sumi Bible Editorial Board, demanding corrections to the text.
“The word of God should remain pure. The word of God must be stated exactly as he said it,” said retired pastor, Rev Henije Zhimomi. He held that the issue was a matter of protecting the “holiness of God” against what he described as the “pollution of his Word.” However, he alleged that the Bible Translation Committee failed to convey the scriptures accurately, removing original meanings and adding unauthorised interpretations. He regarded it as an insult that cannot be accepted, and should not be used until corrections are made.
He blamed the alleged erroneous translation on “Satan.” “Satan’s work is not coming from the outside; it is happening from within. I blame Satan for these errors, not the people themselves.”
Convenor of the forum, Akheto Chishi cited several instances where traditional Sumi vocabulary was altered, alleging that the translators used an “Anglo-Sumi Bible Dictionary” that changed nouns and phonetics. He noted that the word for “gold” was translated as “iron,” and “fox” was replaced with “wild dog.” He also criticised the mixing of English and Sumi phonetics, such as using a single “W” to represent a “U” sound, which he said makes the text unreadable for native speakers.
“If we are reading in the Sumi language, it should be readable as Sumi. Everything should be uniform. The way the Sumi language is written and pronounced must be one,” Chishi added.
The forum further pointed to linguistic and theological changes that they claim are unacceptable. One major grievance involved the alteration of biblical symbols. Convenor Chishi noted that traditional Sumi nouns for animals and plants had been changed, such as “Fox” being replaced with “Wild Dog” and “Fig Tree” with “Sycamore.”
According to him, education books, the Bible, and hymn books should all be consistent. He added, “If the new Bible is different, then the school books and hymn books will no longer match. Everything should be uniform. The way the Sumi language is written and pronounced must be one. That is what we are standing for.”
The forum’s Advisor, Gaonbura Kahuto Chishi Sumi pointed out that the symbol of a donkey —representing humility — had been changed to a horse. He said, “Riding a donkey is a sign of humility; riding a horse is a sign of pride,” while terming the alleged distortion a blasphemous act.
Sumi expressed frustration that the BSI proceeded with the publication of 5,000 copies despite earlier agreements to revise the draft. According to him, over Rs 2 crore was spent on the translation project, which he described as a “commercial venture” that disregarded the linguistic needs of the community.
The forum argued that the Bible serves as a foundational text for the Sumi people, and a defective translation would have a cascading effect on the tribe’s education and worship. They claimed that if this version were adopted, school textbooks and hymn books would eventually be forced to reflect the same linguistic errors.
He referenced Article 29(1) of the Indian Constitution, which grants citizens the right to conserve their distinct language and culture. He also mentioned Section 298 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita regarding the defilement of sacred objects. He said that the latest Sumi Bible translation is bringing division among the Sumi people and “perverting our language.”
The forum said that it has issued a formal demand to the BSI to recall all existing copies and cease future publications. Failure to do so, they warned, would result in legal action.
It further appealed the Sumi community and village chiefs to protect the linguistic heritage of the tribe and ensure the use of accurate scriptures.
