UNDHAI (MEHSANA DIST), JAN 30: The saffron brigade has been left a deeper shade of red. For, tired of the continued harassment and a social boycott by upper-caste Patels, a large clutch of Dalit families in Gujarat has decided to convert to Christianity.The Dalits have little or no idea of what Christianity is. All they know is that it will bring salvation. ``God'' will change to ``Jesus Christ'' and, more importantly, none of them will be divided into sub-castes or classes.So 12-year-old Shanku wants to be baptised a Christian because his father says it will end the ``oppression they have been facing''. It's all about blind faith and hope as is evident in the words of 80-year-old Katrabhai who, for all his common sense and wisdom that comes with age, innocently says, ``In most backward areas we see tribals changing their religion and living a peaceful life. We will also do the same for the sake of our growth.''Manilal Jethabhai feels the same way. ``We started worshipping gods because we want tosurvive. Now, with a picture of Mother Mary in our hands, we will choose another religion that will help us survive.''The upper caste ``boycott'' came after an incident in May last year when Dalits were asked to bring their own utensils to a temple feast and then told to sit separately. During the boycott, Dalits allege, the Patels refused unofficially to provide employment, groceries and rations. Patel doctors even refused to treat Dalit patients.``From June 1998, this indirect boycott of Dalits by Patels has been continuing unhindered. We complained to the Collector and even to Social Welfare Minister Faqirbhai Vaghela. But State Government officials sent to the village reported there was no boycott,'' complains Chimanbhai Chauhan, a former talati, who is now heading the campaign for conversion.Collector H B Varia says there is ``no outward sign'' of a social boycott. ``The Dalits allege it, but the Patels deny there is a boycott,'' he claims, and adds that the Dalits are looking for cash doles.Varia is now sending another team of officers to make further inquiries.Deputy sarpanch Babubhai, who is the Patel community head and was booked under the Atrocities Act during the tiff, also alleges the Dalits are resorting to pressure tactics. ``Their threat of conversion is a publicity gimmick and part of their drama to get financial help,'' he says.The conversion plan was drawn up at a district-level meeting in Mehsana on January 17, says Chauhan. All 112 families of Undhai village have been instructed to involve at least 20 families from each of the 136 North Gujarat villages in the conversion process.On its part, VHP isn't taking things lightly. Its general secretary Pravin Togadia said the VHP will do ``everything possible'' to avert the proposed conversions.
