The issue of religious conversion in tribal areas, particularly in Kandhamal, has simmered out of control resulting in recent clashes between Christian and Hindu communities.
The issue of religious conversion in tribal areas, particularly in Kandhamal, has simmered out of control resulting in recent clashes between Christian and Hindu communities.
Christian missionaries had entered hitherto inaccessible areas of Kandhamal before Independence, and have settled there since. Most tribals took time to convert to Christianity, whereas the scheduled castes’ (SC) conversion was relatively swift.
It takes more time to convert tribals since they have an indigenous culture. The upshot of these conversions has been that literacy levels in these communities have gone up significantly over the years.
However, considering them to be a serious threat, Swami Laxmananda Saraswati went to Kandhamal in 1966, and has since been working against Hindus adopting Christianity.
He has started a movement to bring back the converted Christians into the Hindu fold by organising functions titled ‘Parabartan’ (The great return).
These re-conversion rallies are organised fairly often. He has settled in Chakapada and has started a Sanskrit college and a girls’ hostel at Jaleshpatna in Kalhandi.
Expressing his outfit’s long-held stand, secretary of the Orissa unit of VHP Gouriprasad Rath alleges that Christian missionaries have converted the Pana (SC) and tribal communities to Christianity, either forcefully or by alluring them with promises.
This activity of conversion has also spread to other areas like Nabarangpur, Gajapati and Sudergra, he says. Rath further alleges that conversions are also being fuelled by Congress Rajya Sabha member Radhakanta Nayak, who is a Christian himself, and that his NGO, World Vision, has been accepting large donations from international organisations to help step up the conversion of Hindus to Christianity. Nayak, however, has been denying these allegations.
Archbishop Raphel Cheenath says there were no forced conversions. “It is a totally baseless allegation against the community,” he says, adding that everyone has a constitutional right to profess their faith and religion.
He further adds that no one should forget the sacrifice made by the Christian missionaries and how they have helped the tribals to raise their standard of living.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}