Tribal conversion creates ripples

AHMEDNAGAR, Feb 5: Even as reports on nine tribals from the remote Garwadi village in the hilly tracts of western Akole taluka of Ahmednagar, embracing Christianity have created ripples here, the district administration and the police were attempting to disprove the alleged conversion. Fifty three year old Kisan Mahadu Wayal and eight others of his family embraced Christianity on August 3 last year, claimed Shyam Koli, a teacher at South Western Indian Bible College run by Assembly of God at Junnar in neighbouring Pune district.

Speaking to a group of visiting media persons recently, Koli produced some documents bearing names and thumb impressions of Wayal, his wife Parvatibai and others. The district administration also has the papers which contain the same names and thumb impressions declaring the reports about their conversion as untrue.

Information indicates that Wayal and his family members began conducting prayer meetings in their village, as Wayal that the prayers at a Junnar church gave relief to his wife Parvatibai who had severe stomach ache. People from nearby villages seeking relief for their ailing family members got together for prayer meets at Wayal8217;s house, since then. A controversy over the alleged conversion was raked up in the last week of January when two of the villagers who were on their way to Garwadi for a prayer meeting were accosted by some villagers and the local Bajrang Dal activists, information said.

Wayal said he had not changed his religion. He also denied in a statement given to the police on January 29 that he had received any money to change his religion. 8220;We worship the God who showers us with happiness,8221; Wayal said.