Tribals criticise atrocities

SURAT, July 30: Terming the Zankhvav incident and the subsequent communal tensions between Hindus and Christians 8220;a shameful incident,8221; city-based Dakshin Gujarat Adivasi Pragati Mandal, has in a statement criticised Hindu fundamentalist organisations for turning a personal issue into a communal one and causing fear among the minorities of the region.

Posing a few questions to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal, who have alleged that christian missionaries have been forcibly converting tribal Hindus, Dilip Chaudhary, Mandal president asked, 8220;Why drag the issue of conversion into a matter that is purely a land dispute between two parties? Have any of the Hindu organisations ever cared to find out why tribals and adivasis of the remote areas are getting converted? Have they ever taken up any cause in the remote tribal areas that could benefit these downtrodden people? Why have these organisations suddenly begun to show concern for the adivasis?8221;

Stating that he himself was a patriotic adivasi contrary to the Hindu organisations allegations that those converting were anti-nationals, Chaudhary pointed out that there was nothing wrong in converting people.

Giving his own example, he said he was living in the interiors of Mangrol and it were these missionaries who had set up schools there, teaching people to write and write and improving their standard of living. He said the missionaries also provided health facilities and demanded to know as to what the Bajrang Dal and the VHP had done for those living in tribal-dominated areas.

He alleged that it was the very Hindu society, which had deprived the socially weaker sections for centuries. He alleged that all those who were opposing the work of missionaries were anti-adivasi and were making efforts to stall tribals8217; progress. He appealed the organisations not to stir communal passions out of the issue.

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