According to reports, the Sibsagar Catholic Church had brought out two booklets containing hymns and prayers which were ``copies'' of the Bar Geets composed by Sankaradeva, except that the names of Krishna, Rama and Hari were replaced by Jesus.

The booklets were apparently distributed in schools run by Christian missionaries as also in some churches in the district since 1996, until the Sibsagar District Satra Mahasabha, the apex body of Vaishnavite monasteries of the district, laid hands on some copies of the booklets and raised objections.

The Mahasabha went to the extent of charging the church with trying to intrude upon the Vaishnavite scriptures, which according to Mahasabha president L K Mahanta, ``is tantamount to sacrilege.''

``Replacing the name of our supreme god-head Krishnaor Lord Rama by Jesus is an act of supreme offence liable to grave consequences,'' Mahanta, in a complaint lodged with the Sibsagar district deputy commissioner Maninder Singh, said.

Mahanta also said the compilation and publication of the booklets, ``have seriously hurt our sentiments, since it amounts to gross violation of our religion.''

The Mahasabha urged the Sibsagar deputy commissioner to take urgent steps, and threatened to move court and organise public protests through rallies and meetings.

Even as the Mahasabha expressed its resentment, the Catholic church has been prompt to give its version, with Father Pallikunnel Joy of the Sibsagar Catholic Church apologising for what he termed as an act committed without any ill intention and occurring ``due to ignorance.''

``Our intention was to make prayers for the Assamese Christians easy, as Bar Geets'' and the Naam Ghosa (another compilation of hymns by the Vaishnavite preacher) are popular among the Assamese,'' Father Joy said in his reply. ``Asgod-fearing people, we believe in the equality of all religions and have no intention of hurting the sentiments of people of other faiths or degrading other religions'', he said, and assured the Mahasabha that all the booklets would be withdrawn. ``Since we have all to live together, why should we create a controversy? We respect other religions,'' he added.Joy said, adding the booklets were only meant for prayers in churches and not for public distribution.

Referring to newspaper reports in Upper Assam, Father Joy has also clarified that the church was not trying to propagate Christianity through missionary schools. ``As such, there is no binding thread between religion and school. Had it really been so, thousands of children going to our schools would have turned to Christianity. We deem educational institutions to be welfare service by the missionaries,'' he clarified.

Meanwhile, in Guwahati, Father George Platotham of Don Bosco Communications, who coordinates mass communication activities of theCatholic missions in the North-East told The Indian Express that while Father Joy has already clarified his position saying there was no ``ill motive'' behind the publications.''

Cultural elements appealing to the common people are being used by one and all, he said, adding the government too drives home messages to the people. He hoped with Father Joy's clarification, the controversy has been laid to rest.