Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
New Delhi (Fides Service) - There is no end to anti-minority discrimination and violence in India. A report from Jagdalpur diocese in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, said that recently the people of the village of Markabeda were incited by rebels to use violence to expel 36 Tribals who had become Christians. The rebels belong to the Naxaliti group which operates in central India. The group claims it supports the rights of farmer whose land has been taken away. The Naxaliti group, composed mainly of Dalit and Adivasi Tribals, is active in the states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh.
The news, which gave rise to concern among local Catholics and other Christians, was reported by the media. Nav Bharat Hiondi newspaper said the same rebel group recently prevented a Hindu religious celebration.
“This is the first time that we see such a violent reaction to conversions. Perhaps because more and more people are embracing the faith”, Carmelite Father Kurian Puthuman, Vicar general of Jagdalpur diocese.
Father Dominic Perunilam, parish priest of Narayanpur, 20 km from Markabeda village told Fides said there has never been any trouble with the Naxaliti: “they have never attacked us. Perhaps they were angered by proselytism on the part of religious sects present in many surrounding villages”.
The question of conversion is delicate in many states of India. Recently Christians in the eastern state of Orissa called for an end to what is termed “re-conversion” on the part of radical Hindus who persuade or force Christian Tribals to “come home” as they call it, meaning, “return to the Hindu religion”.
Christian Bishops say one way to put an end the phenomenon is to guarantee education for the Tribals, who must be informed of their right to choose their religion freely according to conscience.
Some states in India have adopted the law which requires every case of conversion to be reported to the magistrate and examined for authenticity. The local Catholic Church says the law is anti-constitutional and discriminatory since it violates human freedoms. Very often extremists label Christian service to promote economic, social and cultural development among the poorer people as “religious proselytism”.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 1/12/2004 righe 41 parole 412)
