ICC Note:

The Chief Minister of India’s Jharkhand state recently came under fire for anti-Christian remarks he made during a recent conversation regarding the conversion of tribals. Hindu nationalists have long been suspicious of social services provided by Christian organizations and often claim that these services are being used to forcefully convert India’s tribal population. Following comments made by the Chief Minister that echoed this suspicion, Christian organizations in Jharkhand spoke out and called on everyone to reject the Chief Minister’s comments and stand united against the religiously divisive politics often employed by the BJP. 

10/24/2016 India (Times of India) – Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Sunday came under fire from tribal Christians of the state for his recent remarks on conversion of tribals.

The Rashtriya Isai Mahasangh (RIM), a socio-religious body of the Christian community spread across several states, on Sunday accused Das of demeaning the Christian missionaries and their ongoing social service going on in the state for decades.

“Do they (the government) want us to stop serving the society? Relating social service that we do for conversion of religion is not only shameful, but also an effort to polarize the tribals in the name of Christians and Sarna,” said Prabhakar Tirkey, national general secretary of RIM at a congregation in Ranchi’s Xavier’s Institute of Social Service. Tirkey also accused Das of trying to create rift between tribals following Sarna code and those who follow Christianity.

Last week, Das became vocal on the religious conversion of tribals. During his Gram Sabha meetings in Dumka and Pakur and later at BJP’s state working committee meeting in Ranchi, Das said those involved in converting the tribals under various temptations. Approximately 4.5% of the state’s 27% tribal population follows Christianity.

The RIM on Sunday appealed to the tribal Christian community to remain united against the divisive forces and urged them to maintain harmony. “We stand united against all divisive forces. We hope that all of you will support us and stand united against such forces,” said Deepak Tirkey, a senior office bearer of RIM.

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