Minority panel finds Sangh Parivar
forcibly reconverted tribals
Attempts by the Sangh Parivar to forcibly reconvert tribal Christians to Hinduism triggered the recent clashes in southern Gujarat, according to the preliminary findings of a special bench of the National Commission for Minorities.
Sources in the commission, which held special sittings at Gandhinagar and visited the affected areas in the Dangs and Bulsar district, said there was no evidence that the tribals in the area were pressured or offered incentives to switch to Christianity.
The commission's findings, which are binding in nature, will be finalised on Monday, January 11, and submitted to the Centre. The commission enjoys statutory status.
The Sangh Parivar, including the Hindu Jagran Manch, told the bench the reconversions were merely a homecoming for tribals misled by Christian missionaries and that they did not use force. They had merely launched a 'shuddhi' (purification) movement in the area to wean away the "misled lot".
They also insisted that improvised churches made of bamboo in the deep forests could not be treated as religious places of worship. These structures were specially targeted by the HJM.
The bench, comprising NCM Vice-President Prof Bawa Singh and member James Massey, also found that the state administration was lax in checking the attacks on minority establishments, the sources said.
It observed that the Christians were terrified as the Sangh Parivar outfits had forced them to hoist saffron flags atop their houses in the far-flung hilly areas. Those who did not obey became targets of their wrath.
About 40 different delegations deposed before the bench, the sources said. The commission also summoned the Gujarat chief secretary, director-general of police, and senior intelligence officers.
Christians constitute about 10 per cent of the predominantly tribal population in the Dangs. The tribals originally had no recognised religion and were known as adharmi (people without a religion). They are mostly scattered in the hilly areas and have to travel up to 40km in some areas to reach the nearest police station.
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