Organiser,2008 Issues > June 29, 2008
Think it Over
I am provoked to write this
By M.S.N. Menon
Yes. When I?m told that Hindus ?live in darkness? I?m provoked.
I?m a Hindu, not the usual one, for I took the trouble to make a special study of human civilisations and religious atrocities. Naturally, I see religions in a different light. Not the way the ?faithful? see them.
Religions are full of lies and false claims. The Jews claimed they were ?the chosen people of God.? Where did this delusion take them? To the worst persecution known to man! They remain the object of the longest hate in human history.
Take Christianity. What is its claim and what is the reality? It claims to have civilised Europe. In fact, it destroyed one of the greatest civilisations of man?the Greek civilisation. Vassili Vassilevsky, one of the most stimulating authors of Greece, says: ?It took us inheritors of a joyous paganistic culture, a long time to internalise the notion of ?guilt?. Even today we do not wholly accept the idea that the body is the source of evil.? And yet Jesus had said that the ?Kingdom of God is within you.? Then, who put the Devil inside the Christian to torment them? The Organised Church.
And it also destroyed the Roman empire. One of the first acts of the Christians (that of Emperor Theodisius), when they came to power in Rome, was to order the destruction of the most splendid library in the temple of Serapis. Obviously, the Church had no desire for enlightenment. The Hindus pray for light daily.
The Church converted the pagan temples into tombs, says W.E.H. Lecky, ?for the adoration of the bones of the basest and most depraved of men among the Christian monks.? (History of the Rise and Influence of the Spirit of Rationalism in Europe?, Vol.II)
And a Christian mob stripped and cut into pieces a gifted, virtuous and beautiful lady in Alexandria. What was her crime? That she was the leader of the Neo-Platonists!
The Roman empire had produced some of the great men in history like poets Horace and Virgil, historians like Livy and Polybius, philosophers like Epictetus and Plotinus, orators like Cicero, lawgivers like Cato. What did Christianity produce in the 1500 years of its dominance over Europe? Not one man of greatness! And almost every great man who was born in Europe after the Renaissance was outside the Church.
And the Roman empire spread the Hellenistic civilisation in half the world. What has the Christian empire to show?
It is the claim of the church that it made a major contribution to the growth of morality in Europe. In fact, it made little contribution. It called Descartes, father of moral philosophy, an atheist! The Church gave its blessings to both capitalism and imperialism. And later to colonialism. Secretary of State Amery (UK) says that an active empire and an inactive Church cannot go together.
The Church had a big hand in slave trade. If there was a conscience problem, it helped to ease it by saying that the black man was the son of the Devil.
Denouncing the trade in black men, Lord Palmerston says: ?If all crimes committed from creation down to the present day were added together, they would not exceed, I am sure, the guilt of the diabolic slave trade.? In America Lincoln had to fight a civil war to outlaw the trade. The Church was behind the rebel southern States.
According to the Church, the dark races were not required in God?s scheme of things.
The genocide of the Incas, Mayas and others has no parallel in human history. They were more civilised than the Europeans. ?By millions upon millions? says Draper ?whole races and nations were remorselessly cut off. The Bishop of Chiape affirmed that more than 15 million were terminated in his time. From Mexico and Peru, a civilisation that might have educated Europe, was crushed out.? (Intellectual Development of Europe, Vol. II)
On Galileo?s incarceration, Draper writes: ?What a spectacle! This venerable man, the most illustrious of his age, forced by the threat of death to deny the facts?treated with remorseless severity during the remaining ten years of his life?.? In the dungeon.
There is nothing in human history as diabolic as the Inquisition. It was created by the Popes to perfect the ?art? of torture of the apostates. I can only think of the gas chambers of the Nazis, which did away with six million Jews. ?What strikes me most in considering medieval torture is not so much this diabolic barbarity, which is impossible to exaggerate, as the extraordinary variety and what may be termed the artistic skills they displayed?. (Lecky)
What else can one expect from a religion which had thought of eternal hell fire as a punishment for even small wrongs of men!
What about Islam? Space compels me to make it a short review. In his book ?In the path of Mahatma Gandhi?, George Catlin, the American philosopher, asks: ?What has Islam to offer to compare with the philosophy of Vedanta and the Upanishads?? So much for its ?Superiority? claim!
Be that as it may, what is the record of Islam?s atrocities? ?The Islamic conquest of India is probably the bloodiest story in history,? says Will Durant, the American historian.
The Muslims do not want to be reminded of their past. But it is necessary, says S.Bashiruddin, former Vice Chancellor of Dr. Ambedkar Open University. (See his ?Deen and Dharma?). He says: ?Through the present generation of Muslims is not responsible for what has been done centuries ago, an awareness of such a legacy can sensitize the Muslim opinion leaders??
With such a record of their past, I would like to know from Christian and Muslim brothers, in which way they are ?superior? to the Hindus. Do not tell me that your religious texts do not permit these things. This is an easy explanation. I don?t take it. Men are judged by what they do, not by what they believe or by what is written in their scripture.
Thursday 1 October 2009
Churches Missionaries set Hindu temple on fire
Organiser,2009 Issues > February 15, 2009
Myanmar Mission of the Council of Nagaland Baptist Churches Missionaries set Hindu temple on fire
According to the complaints of Hindu Nagas, the Christian missionaries from Tamenlong in Manipur in collusion with their Barak Valley activists have been converting the Hindus of Ujan Tarapur through allurements and threats.
SILCHAR: Christian missionaries preach many things and quote the Bible in particular to say, ?We do not hurt other denominations.? And behind the facade of this Biblical adherence lies the ugly face of their activities to take resort to illegal and fraud for conversion of the innocent and simple minded people by force, inducement and questionable means. It is now more than clear that it is these missionaries who create conflict and stoke the flame of religious bigotry and communal passion. Glaring example is Kandhamal.Laxamananda Saraswati was murdered because he had become a formidable force in the area against forced conversion of Hindus. His popularity and following in the area was rapidly increasing, scaring the Christian zealots.
The pseudo secularists and the media of that mindset blamed the VHP and the Bajrang Dal for the Kandhamal situation without making any ground study. Let them come to Barak Valley of Assam and have independent and objective look at the nefarious and provocative designs of the missionaries to convert the Hindus.
Christian missionaries as a part of their proselytisation drive after abortive attempts at conversion have again targeted the Hindu Rongmei Naga inhabited village of Ujan Tarapur, near Banskandi. Under the guidance of their pastor they attacked the temple of Goddess Kali and set the idol on fire, besides causing extensive damage to the temple.
On the basis of the complaint lodged with the Lakhipur police station by the Rongmeis, the police took prompt action and arrested Thuirangdin Rongmei (47), Pawhailung Rongmei (63) and Alum Rongmei (35). Thuirangdin is from the Tamenlong district of Manipur while two others are from Barak Valley of Assam. Another missionary involved in the crime identified as Miuri Rongmei is absconding.
Additional SP of Cachar Pradip Ranjan Kar, officer in-charge of Lakhipur Seva Singh and magistrate Ranjit Kumar Laskar rushed to the spot on receipt of information and arrested the missionaries who were produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court at Silchar. These missionaries have been chargesheeted under sections 120(B), 153(A), 295(A) of 427/435/34 IPC.
According to the complaints of Hindu Nagas, the Christian missionaries from Tamenlong in Manipur in collusion with their Barak Valley activists have been converting the Hindus of Ujan Tarapur through allurements and even by threats. Zeliangrong Haraku Association (ZHA), an organisation of Naga Tribes?Zeme, Rongmei and Liyangmei?has taken serious exception to the decision of the Myanmar Mission of the Council of Nagaland Baptist Churches (CNBC) to evangelise the Nagas.
The Council at its last annual meeting held at Paren in Nagaland has adopted a resolution to conduct evangelisation programme. The resolution calls upon the Baptist churches to take positive steps in this regard.
Quite intriguing is the use of code and the organised efforts of the Baptist churches to work for the realisation of Myanmar mission. Details of this mission are not known. The CNBC has reiterated to ?uphold this mission project in every possible way as a joint ministry in the world evangelisation mission.?
Gaifui Rongmei, Pinsingpoi Rongmei and Chinkudai Rongmei of Ujan Tarapur had complained earlier that ?this proselytisation drive is not new.? Three missionaries have been frequenting their areas and forcing them to embrace Christianity. This process started in 1996 when copies of Bible were distributed among the 50 odd families of the village. Following year their visit was with questionnaires to all of them and particularly on the essence of the Bible and what they have learnt about Jesus Christ and Christianity.
Panicked villagers met Kalyan Ashram members who immediately took up the matter with the then deputy commissioner, Pawan Kumar Borthakur and SP Jeevan Singh as well as the subsidiary intelligence bureau officials. The villagers said the missionaries abused their gods and goddesses and advised them not to offer worship at their apoo ragwang (Shiva) and paimadiliu (Kali) temples. They also alleged that the missionaries not only resorted to coercive methods but also extorted money from 43 families.
ZHA in a statement at Haflong while advising the Zeliangrongs to preserve their tradition, culture and heritage has cautioned the missionaries against conversion for such a process would only create tension and conflict, fraught with disastrous consequences.
Myanmar Mission of the Council of Nagaland Baptist Churches Missionaries set Hindu temple on fire
According to the complaints of Hindu Nagas, the Christian missionaries from Tamenlong in Manipur in collusion with their Barak Valley activists have been converting the Hindus of Ujan Tarapur through allurements and threats.
SILCHAR: Christian missionaries preach many things and quote the Bible in particular to say, ?We do not hurt other denominations.? And behind the facade of this Biblical adherence lies the ugly face of their activities to take resort to illegal and fraud for conversion of the innocent and simple minded people by force, inducement and questionable means. It is now more than clear that it is these missionaries who create conflict and stoke the flame of religious bigotry and communal passion. Glaring example is Kandhamal.Laxamananda Saraswati was murdered because he had become a formidable force in the area against forced conversion of Hindus. His popularity and following in the area was rapidly increasing, scaring the Christian zealots.
The pseudo secularists and the media of that mindset blamed the VHP and the Bajrang Dal for the Kandhamal situation without making any ground study. Let them come to Barak Valley of Assam and have independent and objective look at the nefarious and provocative designs of the missionaries to convert the Hindus.
Christian missionaries as a part of their proselytisation drive after abortive attempts at conversion have again targeted the Hindu Rongmei Naga inhabited village of Ujan Tarapur, near Banskandi. Under the guidance of their pastor they attacked the temple of Goddess Kali and set the idol on fire, besides causing extensive damage to the temple.
On the basis of the complaint lodged with the Lakhipur police station by the Rongmeis, the police took prompt action and arrested Thuirangdin Rongmei (47), Pawhailung Rongmei (63) and Alum Rongmei (35). Thuirangdin is from the Tamenlong district of Manipur while two others are from Barak Valley of Assam. Another missionary involved in the crime identified as Miuri Rongmei is absconding.
Additional SP of Cachar Pradip Ranjan Kar, officer in-charge of Lakhipur Seva Singh and magistrate Ranjit Kumar Laskar rushed to the spot on receipt of information and arrested the missionaries who were produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court at Silchar. These missionaries have been chargesheeted under sections 120(B), 153(A), 295(A) of 427/435/34 IPC.
According to the complaints of Hindu Nagas, the Christian missionaries from Tamenlong in Manipur in collusion with their Barak Valley activists have been converting the Hindus of Ujan Tarapur through allurements and even by threats. Zeliangrong Haraku Association (ZHA), an organisation of Naga Tribes?Zeme, Rongmei and Liyangmei?has taken serious exception to the decision of the Myanmar Mission of the Council of Nagaland Baptist Churches (CNBC) to evangelise the Nagas.
The Council at its last annual meeting held at Paren in Nagaland has adopted a resolution to conduct evangelisation programme. The resolution calls upon the Baptist churches to take positive steps in this regard.
Quite intriguing is the use of code and the organised efforts of the Baptist churches to work for the realisation of Myanmar mission. Details of this mission are not known. The CNBC has reiterated to ?uphold this mission project in every possible way as a joint ministry in the world evangelisation mission.?
Gaifui Rongmei, Pinsingpoi Rongmei and Chinkudai Rongmei of Ujan Tarapur had complained earlier that ?this proselytisation drive is not new.? Three missionaries have been frequenting their areas and forcing them to embrace Christianity. This process started in 1996 when copies of Bible were distributed among the 50 odd families of the village. Following year their visit was with questionnaires to all of them and particularly on the essence of the Bible and what they have learnt about Jesus Christ and Christianity.
Panicked villagers met Kalyan Ashram members who immediately took up the matter with the then deputy commissioner, Pawan Kumar Borthakur and SP Jeevan Singh as well as the subsidiary intelligence bureau officials. The villagers said the missionaries abused their gods and goddesses and advised them not to offer worship at their apoo ragwang (Shiva) and paimadiliu (Kali) temples. They also alleged that the missionaries not only resorted to coercive methods but also extorted money from 43 families.
ZHA in a statement at Haflong while advising the Zeliangrongs to preserve their tradition, culture and heritage has cautioned the missionaries against conversion for such a process would only create tension and conflict, fraught with disastrous consequences.
The religious Census data-2001: With special reference to Kerala
Organiser,2005 Issues > April 03, 05
Agenda
The religious Census data-2001: With special reference to Kerala
By Sreevals and Priyesh C.A.
The Religious Census Data-2001 published by the Government of India has initiated a debate on population growth. There is also criticism against the Registrar General Census Commissioner of India for publishing the religious Census data 2001. The critics of publishing the data argue that it will collapse our nation?s secularism. They allege that it is a divisive attempt on the part of the Census Commissioner.
It is a matter of deep regret that for the first time in the history of India, the Census data was manipulated immediately after its first release. The first officially released Religious Census Data-2001 covered all parts of India according to which Hindus constituted 80.5 per cent, Muslims constituted 13.4 per cent and Christians constituted 2.3 per cent of the population. The remaining 3.77 per cent were others. Later, the Census Commissioner released modified Census figures, which excluded Jammu & Kashmir and Assam. According to this, the Hindus were 81.4 per cent, Muslims 12.4 per cent, Christians 2.3 per cent and others 3.9 per cent. According to the Census Commissioner, the reason for excluding Assam in the modified data was to compare this with the 1991 Census. But the exclusion of Assam is not necessary to compare the Census data of 1991 and 2001.
We, the research scholars of the University of Kerala, have done a study on the Religious Census Data-2001. In our study, for a comparison between the two Census data, we excluded Jammu & Kashmir alone from the 2001 Census, as there is no available data for this state for 1991. According to this, the religious composition obtained is as: Hindus 80.6 (82.00); Muslims 13.1 (12.1); Christians 2.37 (2.34); others 3.88 (3.54). (The figures in the brackets show the old values for 1991 Census, excluding Jammu & Kashmir alone). We should also note that Assam, which has been excluded along with Jammu & Kashmir by the Census Commissioner, recorded the highest increase in the composition of Muslims during 1991-2001. So the second published religious Census data is not adjusted as some ?secularists? claim, but it is manipulated. But for a comparison of the Census data of 1991 and 2001, exclusion of Jammu & Kashmir alone is essential. The reason for excluding Assam along with Jammu & Kashmir is mysterious. Based on our study, the growth rate of Muslim population is higher than that of the Hindu population by 11.8 percentage point. Besides, the growth rate of Christians is higher than that of the Hindus by 3.36 percentage point.
As this is the situation at the national level, a statewise analysis of the changes in religious demographic pattern is also essential. The important findings are summarised below:
The reason for excluding Assam along with Jammu & Kashmir is mysterious. Based on our study, the growth rate of Muslim population is higher than that of the Hindu population.
The proportion of Muslims in all the states is increasing tremendously.
In all the states, except Goa and Punjab, the proportion of Hindus is declining.
In the north-eastern states the growth rate of Hindus is below 20 per cent. This includes Mizoram and Manipur where the Hindu population declined by 9.21 and 5.91 per cent respectively (i.e. negative growth rate). At the same time, the growth rate of Muslim population ranges from 29 per cent to 122 per cent (Mizoram-122%, Assam-29.32%). In this region, Christian population growth rate ranges from 18 per cent to 169 per cent (Manipur-18%, Sikkim-169%).
The reasons and consequences of this high change in the religious demographic pattern is a matter to be explored.
Situation in Kerala
Kerala, the land of Adi Shankara, Sree Narayana Guru, Chattampi Swami and a host of other stalwarts in the cultural and spiritual spheres, had been the hot-bed of anti-national and materialistic thought currents for quite a long time now. Analysis of the religious Census data 2001 of Kerala deserves special attention and it urges debate on population growth and its reasons. In Kerala, the Hindus are only 56.2 per cent; Muslims constitute 24.7 per cent and Christians are 19 per cent. Out of the total six highest Christian populated districts of India, five belong to Kerala and out of the total five highest Muslim-populated districts, one is in Kerala. In Kerala, the district which showed the highest population growth is the district with the highest proportion of Muslims (Malappuram) and the district which showed lowest population growth is the district with the least proportion of Muslims (Pathana-mthitta).
In Kerala, the proportion of Hindus has declined by more than one percentage point, which is in keeping with the trend observed over the last 120 years. The Hindus have been losing about 1.2 percentage point of their proportion every decade, and the same loss occurred during the last decade also. The overall population growth in the decade 1991-2001 is 9.42 percentage for the state. But in the Muslim-dominated district, Malappuram, it is 17.09 per cent. Out of the 14 districts in Kerala, Hindus constitute the majority in all the districts except Malappuram, while the Muslims form the second largest community in Kasargod, Kannur, Kozhikkode, Wayanad, Palakkad and Kollam districts. Christians are placed second in Thrissur, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kottayam, Allappuzha, Pathanam-thitta and Thiruvananthapuram. The three districts of Kerala that recorded the higher growth rate of population are Malappuram, Wayanad and Kozhikkode respectively. While Malappuram district recorded a 17.09 per cent increase in the population, it is only 3.84 per cent in the case of Pathanamthitta district which recorded the lowest growth rate in the state.
Political Impact of Religious Demography of Kerala
It is well known that the size of population determines the number of Legislative Assembly constituencies in each district. So the high increase of population in the Muslim-dominated districts invites special attention. The Election Commission has recently started to re-delimit the number of Legislative Assembly constituencies in each district on the basis of the Census population of 1991. As per this, the Muslim-dominated Malappuram district with the highest increase in population will obtain four more seats in addition to the existing 12 seats and reach a total of 16 Assembly constituen-cies. The present study came to the conclusion that, if this present trend in population growth continues, the number of Assembly constituen-cies will become 21 in Malappuram (12 at present), 14 in Kozhikkode (12 at present), four in Wayanad (three at present) in the year 2021. This is based on the population projected by the Population Foundation of India (PFI). At the same time in the year 2021, the number of constituencies will be reduced to four in Pathanamthitta (seven at present), eight in Alappuzha (11 at present) and seven in Kottayam (10 at present). It should be noted that the districts which implemented the family planning programme more effectively are losing their Legislative Assembly constituen-cies. On the other hand, districts like Malappuram and Kozhikkode which failed to implement family planning programmes are gaining additional seats and hence more political influence.
Another serious matter is that of the population in the 0-6 age group, while 10.8 per cent of Hindus and 11.2 per cent of Christians belong to this age group, the proportion of Muslims in this age group is 15 per cent. The proportion of population in the 0-6 age group is an indication of the size of the coming generation in each religious group.
The argument pertaining to the reason for high population growth rate of Muslims put forward by the Left and Muslim intellectual mafia is their low standard of living. Though the Census facts are undisputable, another argument against the necessity of controlling population growth is that it is a part of the Hindutva agenda to spread suspicions and hatred about the minorities, particularly Muslims. Another section of our intellectuals are seriously talking about the problems of high population increase in a developing, resource-scarce country like India. But when we say Muslim population is tremendously increasing, they accuse ?we are undemocratic, fascist, anti-secular and ant-minority?. It is unfortunate that, non-committed intellectuals of our country argue that socio-economic backwardness and low standard of living of Muslims are the reasons for their high population growth rate. These intellectuals are doing disservice to the society and people. The are diverting attention from the real problems and issues that pose threat to our civilisation, culture and even national unity.
In the north-eastern states the growth rate of Hindus is below 20 per cent. This includes Mizoram and Manipur where the Hindu population even declined by 9.21 and 5.91 per cent respectively (i.e. negative growth rate). At the same time, the growth rate of Muslim population ranges from 29 per cent to 122 per cent (Mizoram-122 per cent, Assam-29.32 per cent). In this region, Christian population growth rate ranges from 18 per cent to 169 per cent (Manipur-18 per cent, Sikkim-169 per cent).
Our study has completely disproved the arguments that high population growth rate of Muslims is due to low standard of living and low female literacy rate. However, the report of National Family Health Survey (NFHS) conducted during 1998-99 reveals that 17.9 per cent of Hindus have a low standard of living as compared to Muslims who are only 12.9 per cent. Thus, it is among Hindus where a bigger proportion has a low standard of living. Also in the case of female literacy rate, the Hindus (86.7) and Muslims (85.5) are neck to neck. Besides India?s first 100 per cent computer-literate village belongs to Malappuram district.
Our professional and ?secular? intellectuals are not learning from the history of India or they are playing down the unfortunate incidents that happened in our country. They are totally neglecting the concerns and sentiments expressed by people who are seriously following the demographic development and its possible consequences. Let us point out one example from the history. Decades prior to the unfortunate Partition of India, the demographic pattern of Bengal was fastly undergoing serious distortion and creating social imbalance. Even before the Muslim League officially adopted the Partition resolution, observers of the scene were convinced that a catastrophe was looming on the horizon. An eminent Greek lady who came to India and fascinated by the great culture of this country, became a Hindu, adopting the name Savitri Devi, wrote the book, A Warning to Hindus. In that book she had given a warning to the Hindus that the fastly changing religious demography will have serious consequences. But she was ignored. This led to the divison of India on the basis of religion. Neither the ancient Greek nor the original East Bengal exists today. Both have lost their cultural identity and succumbed to the might of an alien culture which is totally different.
The message is loud and clear. Unless we read the writing on the wall and take corrective steps in time, history can repeat itself. Many of our secular intellectuals consider it as a sign of progressive outlook not to call a spade a spade, even though facts and experience are self-evident. They would go on arguing against the very obvious by inventing specious arguments in support of their untenable position. Certain critics of our study assert that the futuristic projections are not going to come true and ridicule the study and us as people motivated by evil designs. This is a suicidal folly, because if we do not take the warning seriously, the future generations will have to pay heavily.
This is not to say that the predictions are unalternately decreed. Much depends upon the present generation, especially on what the decision makers do about it. There are many options ahead of us?wisdom, political and economic policies, social and religious strategies, etc. All these depend upon a correct reading of the situation and on a strong national will supported by enlightened public opinion.
(The writers are research scholars and can be contacted at Department of Demography and Department of Economics respectively, University of Kerala, Kariavattom Campus, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.)
Agenda
The religious Census data-2001: With special reference to Kerala
By Sreevals and Priyesh C.A.
The Religious Census Data-2001 published by the Government of India has initiated a debate on population growth. There is also criticism against the Registrar General Census Commissioner of India for publishing the religious Census data 2001. The critics of publishing the data argue that it will collapse our nation?s secularism. They allege that it is a divisive attempt on the part of the Census Commissioner.
It is a matter of deep regret that for the first time in the history of India, the Census data was manipulated immediately after its first release. The first officially released Religious Census Data-2001 covered all parts of India according to which Hindus constituted 80.5 per cent, Muslims constituted 13.4 per cent and Christians constituted 2.3 per cent of the population. The remaining 3.77 per cent were others. Later, the Census Commissioner released modified Census figures, which excluded Jammu & Kashmir and Assam. According to this, the Hindus were 81.4 per cent, Muslims 12.4 per cent, Christians 2.3 per cent and others 3.9 per cent. According to the Census Commissioner, the reason for excluding Assam in the modified data was to compare this with the 1991 Census. But the exclusion of Assam is not necessary to compare the Census data of 1991 and 2001.
We, the research scholars of the University of Kerala, have done a study on the Religious Census Data-2001. In our study, for a comparison between the two Census data, we excluded Jammu & Kashmir alone from the 2001 Census, as there is no available data for this state for 1991. According to this, the religious composition obtained is as: Hindus 80.6 (82.00); Muslims 13.1 (12.1); Christians 2.37 (2.34); others 3.88 (3.54). (The figures in the brackets show the old values for 1991 Census, excluding Jammu & Kashmir alone). We should also note that Assam, which has been excluded along with Jammu & Kashmir by the Census Commissioner, recorded the highest increase in the composition of Muslims during 1991-2001. So the second published religious Census data is not adjusted as some ?secularists? claim, but it is manipulated. But for a comparison of the Census data of 1991 and 2001, exclusion of Jammu & Kashmir alone is essential. The reason for excluding Assam along with Jammu & Kashmir is mysterious. Based on our study, the growth rate of Muslim population is higher than that of the Hindu population by 11.8 percentage point. Besides, the growth rate of Christians is higher than that of the Hindus by 3.36 percentage point.
As this is the situation at the national level, a statewise analysis of the changes in religious demographic pattern is also essential. The important findings are summarised below:
The reason for excluding Assam along with Jammu & Kashmir is mysterious. Based on our study, the growth rate of Muslim population is higher than that of the Hindu population.
The proportion of Muslims in all the states is increasing tremendously.
In all the states, except Goa and Punjab, the proportion of Hindus is declining.
In the north-eastern states the growth rate of Hindus is below 20 per cent. This includes Mizoram and Manipur where the Hindu population declined by 9.21 and 5.91 per cent respectively (i.e. negative growth rate). At the same time, the growth rate of Muslim population ranges from 29 per cent to 122 per cent (Mizoram-122%, Assam-29.32%). In this region, Christian population growth rate ranges from 18 per cent to 169 per cent (Manipur-18%, Sikkim-169%).
The reasons and consequences of this high change in the religious demographic pattern is a matter to be explored.
Situation in Kerala
Kerala, the land of Adi Shankara, Sree Narayana Guru, Chattampi Swami and a host of other stalwarts in the cultural and spiritual spheres, had been the hot-bed of anti-national and materialistic thought currents for quite a long time now. Analysis of the religious Census data 2001 of Kerala deserves special attention and it urges debate on population growth and its reasons. In Kerala, the Hindus are only 56.2 per cent; Muslims constitute 24.7 per cent and Christians are 19 per cent. Out of the total six highest Christian populated districts of India, five belong to Kerala and out of the total five highest Muslim-populated districts, one is in Kerala. In Kerala, the district which showed the highest population growth is the district with the highest proportion of Muslims (Malappuram) and the district which showed lowest population growth is the district with the least proportion of Muslims (Pathana-mthitta).
In Kerala, the proportion of Hindus has declined by more than one percentage point, which is in keeping with the trend observed over the last 120 years. The Hindus have been losing about 1.2 percentage point of their proportion every decade, and the same loss occurred during the last decade also. The overall population growth in the decade 1991-2001 is 9.42 percentage for the state. But in the Muslim-dominated district, Malappuram, it is 17.09 per cent. Out of the 14 districts in Kerala, Hindus constitute the majority in all the districts except Malappuram, while the Muslims form the second largest community in Kasargod, Kannur, Kozhikkode, Wayanad, Palakkad and Kollam districts. Christians are placed second in Thrissur, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kottayam, Allappuzha, Pathanam-thitta and Thiruvananthapuram. The three districts of Kerala that recorded the higher growth rate of population are Malappuram, Wayanad and Kozhikkode respectively. While Malappuram district recorded a 17.09 per cent increase in the population, it is only 3.84 per cent in the case of Pathanamthitta district which recorded the lowest growth rate in the state.
Political Impact of Religious Demography of Kerala
It is well known that the size of population determines the number of Legislative Assembly constituencies in each district. So the high increase of population in the Muslim-dominated districts invites special attention. The Election Commission has recently started to re-delimit the number of Legislative Assembly constituencies in each district on the basis of the Census population of 1991. As per this, the Muslim-dominated Malappuram district with the highest increase in population will obtain four more seats in addition to the existing 12 seats and reach a total of 16 Assembly constituen-cies. The present study came to the conclusion that, if this present trend in population growth continues, the number of Assembly constituen-cies will become 21 in Malappuram (12 at present), 14 in Kozhikkode (12 at present), four in Wayanad (three at present) in the year 2021. This is based on the population projected by the Population Foundation of India (PFI). At the same time in the year 2021, the number of constituencies will be reduced to four in Pathanamthitta (seven at present), eight in Alappuzha (11 at present) and seven in Kottayam (10 at present). It should be noted that the districts which implemented the family planning programme more effectively are losing their Legislative Assembly constituen-cies. On the other hand, districts like Malappuram and Kozhikkode which failed to implement family planning programmes are gaining additional seats and hence more political influence.
Another serious matter is that of the population in the 0-6 age group, while 10.8 per cent of Hindus and 11.2 per cent of Christians belong to this age group, the proportion of Muslims in this age group is 15 per cent. The proportion of population in the 0-6 age group is an indication of the size of the coming generation in each religious group.
The argument pertaining to the reason for high population growth rate of Muslims put forward by the Left and Muslim intellectual mafia is their low standard of living. Though the Census facts are undisputable, another argument against the necessity of controlling population growth is that it is a part of the Hindutva agenda to spread suspicions and hatred about the minorities, particularly Muslims. Another section of our intellectuals are seriously talking about the problems of high population increase in a developing, resource-scarce country like India. But when we say Muslim population is tremendously increasing, they accuse ?we are undemocratic, fascist, anti-secular and ant-minority?. It is unfortunate that, non-committed intellectuals of our country argue that socio-economic backwardness and low standard of living of Muslims are the reasons for their high population growth rate. These intellectuals are doing disservice to the society and people. The are diverting attention from the real problems and issues that pose threat to our civilisation, culture and even national unity.
In the north-eastern states the growth rate of Hindus is below 20 per cent. This includes Mizoram and Manipur where the Hindu population even declined by 9.21 and 5.91 per cent respectively (i.e. negative growth rate). At the same time, the growth rate of Muslim population ranges from 29 per cent to 122 per cent (Mizoram-122 per cent, Assam-29.32 per cent). In this region, Christian population growth rate ranges from 18 per cent to 169 per cent (Manipur-18 per cent, Sikkim-169 per cent).
Our study has completely disproved the arguments that high population growth rate of Muslims is due to low standard of living and low female literacy rate. However, the report of National Family Health Survey (NFHS) conducted during 1998-99 reveals that 17.9 per cent of Hindus have a low standard of living as compared to Muslims who are only 12.9 per cent. Thus, it is among Hindus where a bigger proportion has a low standard of living. Also in the case of female literacy rate, the Hindus (86.7) and Muslims (85.5) are neck to neck. Besides India?s first 100 per cent computer-literate village belongs to Malappuram district.
Our professional and ?secular? intellectuals are not learning from the history of India or they are playing down the unfortunate incidents that happened in our country. They are totally neglecting the concerns and sentiments expressed by people who are seriously following the demographic development and its possible consequences. Let us point out one example from the history. Decades prior to the unfortunate Partition of India, the demographic pattern of Bengal was fastly undergoing serious distortion and creating social imbalance. Even before the Muslim League officially adopted the Partition resolution, observers of the scene were convinced that a catastrophe was looming on the horizon. An eminent Greek lady who came to India and fascinated by the great culture of this country, became a Hindu, adopting the name Savitri Devi, wrote the book, A Warning to Hindus. In that book she had given a warning to the Hindus that the fastly changing religious demography will have serious consequences. But she was ignored. This led to the divison of India on the basis of religion. Neither the ancient Greek nor the original East Bengal exists today. Both have lost their cultural identity and succumbed to the might of an alien culture which is totally different.
The message is loud and clear. Unless we read the writing on the wall and take corrective steps in time, history can repeat itself. Many of our secular intellectuals consider it as a sign of progressive outlook not to call a spade a spade, even though facts and experience are self-evident. They would go on arguing against the very obvious by inventing specious arguments in support of their untenable position. Certain critics of our study assert that the futuristic projections are not going to come true and ridicule the study and us as people motivated by evil designs. This is a suicidal folly, because if we do not take the warning seriously, the future generations will have to pay heavily.
This is not to say that the predictions are unalternately decreed. Much depends upon the present generation, especially on what the decision makers do about it. There are many options ahead of us?wisdom, political and economic policies, social and religious strategies, etc. All these depend upon a correct reading of the situation and on a strong national will supported by enlightened public opinion.
(The writers are research scholars and can be contacted at Department of Demography and Department of Economics respectively, University of Kerala, Kariavattom Campus, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.)
Orissa under Attack?I
Organiser,2008 Issues > November 16, 2008
Indepth
Orissa under Attack?I
What happened in Kandhamal?
By Balbir K. Punj
Kandhamal district has a population of 6.48 lakh as per 2001 census. Scheduled Tribes constitute 51.96 per cent, Scheduled Caste?16.89 per cent. In religious terms Christians are 18.20 per cent and Muslims 0.3 per cent of population.
The alleged rape of a nun has been made into a global news. Such ?rape of nun by Hindu fascist? stories have turned out to be false in Jhabua, Jajjhar, Baripada in the past. They were dropped by the media like hot potatoes after being served like hot cakes.
The hapless tribals of Kandhamal are under seize. Relentless propraganda by the church and `secularists? has sullied the fair name of Orissa. The innocent adivasis are fighting with their back to the wall, to preserve their culture, honour, tradition, identity and in fact their very existence. The Kandhs, once the ?Kings,? are a pariah hunted by the CRPF in their own land today and painted as rapists and murderers outside. Hundreds of them are behind bars, without any charges, their homes are being raided, women dishonoured and hundreds have sought refuge in the forests to escape the police. There is none to speak for them. They obviously do not interest the NGO?s and human right activists, whose sole concern seem to be those charged with bomb blasts in the name of jehad.
Arraigned against the Kandh tribals and the State of Orissa are the missionaries of various denominations with worldwide reach and centuries of global experience in decimating local cultures. Backed with foreign funds and hands, the church is following its age-old time tested divisive agenda?split the local society in to hostile factions. A near civil war is the natural corollary. At immense human cost, the church has reaped a rich harvest of souls. The share of Christians in total population which was mere six per cent in 1971 in the district has grown three times, to 18.20 per cent in 2001. Most of the civil society has maintained an indifferent silence on this cultural genocide.
The alleged rape of a nun has been made into a global news. Such ?rape of nun by Hindu fascist? stories have turned out to be false in Jhabua, Jajjhar, Baripada in the past. They were dropped by the media like hot potatoes after being served like hot cakes. One sister Jacqueline Mary was said to have been raped in February 3, 1999. ?Orissa nun raped in moving car? screamed the Indian Express headline. Wadhwa Commission set up by the Central Government had inquired into the killing of Graham Stewart Staines and his two sons on 22-23 January 1999 in Keonjar district. The commission said in its report, ?Investigations, however, revealed that what sister Mary said in the FIR was not true?. It was a made up story ?? there was in fact no rape of Sister Mary ? B.B. Panda, DGP of police stated that the `rape of the nun? case was projected and highlighted all over the world and was also projected as an attack on Christians when in fact it was not true, and the case turned out to be false.?
Yet, we are witnessing another edition of it in Kandhamal. Although the nun did not attend the identification parade, and the Supreme Court has ruled out a CBI enquiry, the National Commission for Minorities has jumped into the fray. Is the church using the nun in question as a pawn in their great game of Chess?
The media portrayal of violence in Kandhamal in Orissa at national level has kicked off more heat and dust than light. It may be asked why Kandhamal district brings Orissa, an otherwise peaceful State, to banner headlines often? Are Christians being slaughtered like lambs by butchers called Bajrang Dal? Why did the media give a disproportionate coverage to violence in Orissa, when at the same time, violence killed greater number of people in Assam and displaced more than a lakh? Is it because, in Assam, the secular media will have to face certain uncomfortable questions like the clout the illegal Bangladeshi have created. It could not be plastered so easily on Bajrang Dal as 'genocide of minorities'. It will be far more politically correct to demonise Bajrang Dal in Orissa.
Why does Kandhamal, a poignantly picturesque and backward district of Orissa, go through phases of violence in 2007 and 2008? In 2008, it was the murder of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, and his three associates, which became the immediate cause of violence. The Kandhs, a scheduled tribe, who lend their name to the district, refused to buy the government theory that the Swami had been killed by the Maoists. The Kandhs, 90 per cent of whom are Hindus, have been much attached to the aged Swami for his four decades of struggle to preserve the Hindu folk.
Much later, Sabyasachi Panda, a Maoist leader owned up the killing. Panda, who strangely turned a blind eye to evangelism (remember Communism treats religion as opium of masses), said the Swami was eliminated for reviving Brahmanism. But he divulged an interesting clue by showing in preference for Christians. He said that overwhelming Christian community of Panas, an SC group, provide most cadres to Maoists in Orissa. Panda also clarified that Maoists as such believe in no religion. I don't know how to reconcile evangelism that believe in harvest of souls with Maoism (radical Communism) that believe there is no soul. In almost all European countries, wherever Communism succeeded the church had to go underground if not out of existence. But in Orissa perhaps it proves, there is some kind of 'strategic alliance' between church and Maoists. Church is a natural suspect in this heinous murder. Did the church outsource the Swami?s murder?
Kandhamal district has a population of 6.48 lakh as per 2001 census. Scheduled Tribes constitute 51.96 per cent, Scheduled Caste- 16.89 per cent. In religious terms Christians are 18.20 per cent and Muslims 0.3 per cent of population. Kandhamal violence can't be merely projected as a Hindu-Christian clash. The clash is a legacy from discord between Kandhs, (who are scheduled tribes, and 90 per cent of whom are still Hindus) and the Panas (who are scheduled castes, and 90 per cent of whom have converted to Christianity). As it is known a scheduled caste looses reservation benefits if he converts to, Christianity or Islam who believe in casteless society. But a scheduled tribe, a matter of ethnicity, retains the benefits regardless of his religion.
Some Panas (overwhelmingly Christians), desirous of reservation benefit, under the influence of missionaries had floated an organisation called 'Phulbani Kui Jana Kalyan Sangh' saying that their caste status should be changed in revenue records from Pana (SC) to Kui (ST). It is on the ground that they 'could speak the Kui language' that is spoken by the Kandhs, an ST group. The High Court directed the Orissa government to look into the matter. While 'Phulbani Kui Jana Kalyan Sangh' started a campaign that they should be treated as Kui (for obvious reservations benefits), many other Kui speaking organisations of Kandhs and others came forward to oppose their demand. The government clarified that there is no scope for Panas being treated as an ST, at par with Kandhs, because of Kui language.
Tribal Kandhs, view three groups caste groups viz,. Kumuti, Sundhi and Pana as their historical exploiters. While Kumuti was in business of money lending and purchase of tribal products, Sundhi sold liquor, Panas acted as intermediaries. Panas, having slowly picked up Kui, interpreted it to Kumuti and Sundhis who spoke Oriya. In 1920s, when the early Christian missions were set up in Kandhamal, Panas fell in the trap. While Panas, improved their socio-economic condition in the process, the condition of the Kandhs deteriorated.
But very few Kandhs budged from their ancestral faith. In late 1960s, when Swami Laxmananda, opened his ashram in the region, trying to keep Hindu folks together and bringing back those who have been converted through gullible means, Kandhs responded positively. The tribe of secularists who claim that tribal folks are not Hindus, they have no religion, should tell why Kandhs revered Laxmanand Saraswati?
Are tribals Hindus ? According to the church, they are not and hence are available to them for ?harvest? for the Lord. This question was best answered by Gandhiji. Responding to an query from Dr. Chesterman whether his (Gandhiji?s) objection to conversion applied to areas like the Kond Hills where the aboriginal races worshiped animals, his unhesitating reply was, ?Yes. It does apply, because I know that in spite of being described as animists these tribes have from times immemorial been absorbed in Hinduism. They are, like the indigenous medicine, of the soil, and their roots lie deep there. But you can only endorse this if you feel that Hinduism is as true as Christianity. I hold that all religions are true but imperfect inasmuch as they are presented through human agency and bear the impress of the imperfections and frailties of the human being. My quarrel with missionaries is that they think no religion other than Christianity is true.? (Harijan, 25.2.39)
(The writer is a Member of Parliament (RS) and can be contacted at punjbk@gmail.com)
(To be concluded)
Indepth
Orissa under Attack?I
What happened in Kandhamal?
By Balbir K. Punj
Kandhamal district has a population of 6.48 lakh as per 2001 census. Scheduled Tribes constitute 51.96 per cent, Scheduled Caste?16.89 per cent. In religious terms Christians are 18.20 per cent and Muslims 0.3 per cent of population.
The alleged rape of a nun has been made into a global news. Such ?rape of nun by Hindu fascist? stories have turned out to be false in Jhabua, Jajjhar, Baripada in the past. They were dropped by the media like hot potatoes after being served like hot cakes.
The hapless tribals of Kandhamal are under seize. Relentless propraganda by the church and `secularists? has sullied the fair name of Orissa. The innocent adivasis are fighting with their back to the wall, to preserve their culture, honour, tradition, identity and in fact their very existence. The Kandhs, once the ?Kings,? are a pariah hunted by the CRPF in their own land today and painted as rapists and murderers outside. Hundreds of them are behind bars, without any charges, their homes are being raided, women dishonoured and hundreds have sought refuge in the forests to escape the police. There is none to speak for them. They obviously do not interest the NGO?s and human right activists, whose sole concern seem to be those charged with bomb blasts in the name of jehad.
Arraigned against the Kandh tribals and the State of Orissa are the missionaries of various denominations with worldwide reach and centuries of global experience in decimating local cultures. Backed with foreign funds and hands, the church is following its age-old time tested divisive agenda?split the local society in to hostile factions. A near civil war is the natural corollary. At immense human cost, the church has reaped a rich harvest of souls. The share of Christians in total population which was mere six per cent in 1971 in the district has grown three times, to 18.20 per cent in 2001. Most of the civil society has maintained an indifferent silence on this cultural genocide.
The alleged rape of a nun has been made into a global news. Such ?rape of nun by Hindu fascist? stories have turned out to be false in Jhabua, Jajjhar, Baripada in the past. They were dropped by the media like hot potatoes after being served like hot cakes. One sister Jacqueline Mary was said to have been raped in February 3, 1999. ?Orissa nun raped in moving car? screamed the Indian Express headline. Wadhwa Commission set up by the Central Government had inquired into the killing of Graham Stewart Staines and his two sons on 22-23 January 1999 in Keonjar district. The commission said in its report, ?Investigations, however, revealed that what sister Mary said in the FIR was not true?. It was a made up story ?? there was in fact no rape of Sister Mary ? B.B. Panda, DGP of police stated that the `rape of the nun? case was projected and highlighted all over the world and was also projected as an attack on Christians when in fact it was not true, and the case turned out to be false.?
Yet, we are witnessing another edition of it in Kandhamal. Although the nun did not attend the identification parade, and the Supreme Court has ruled out a CBI enquiry, the National Commission for Minorities has jumped into the fray. Is the church using the nun in question as a pawn in their great game of Chess?
The media portrayal of violence in Kandhamal in Orissa at national level has kicked off more heat and dust than light. It may be asked why Kandhamal district brings Orissa, an otherwise peaceful State, to banner headlines often? Are Christians being slaughtered like lambs by butchers called Bajrang Dal? Why did the media give a disproportionate coverage to violence in Orissa, when at the same time, violence killed greater number of people in Assam and displaced more than a lakh? Is it because, in Assam, the secular media will have to face certain uncomfortable questions like the clout the illegal Bangladeshi have created. It could not be plastered so easily on Bajrang Dal as 'genocide of minorities'. It will be far more politically correct to demonise Bajrang Dal in Orissa.
Why does Kandhamal, a poignantly picturesque and backward district of Orissa, go through phases of violence in 2007 and 2008? In 2008, it was the murder of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, and his three associates, which became the immediate cause of violence. The Kandhs, a scheduled tribe, who lend their name to the district, refused to buy the government theory that the Swami had been killed by the Maoists. The Kandhs, 90 per cent of whom are Hindus, have been much attached to the aged Swami for his four decades of struggle to preserve the Hindu folk.
Much later, Sabyasachi Panda, a Maoist leader owned up the killing. Panda, who strangely turned a blind eye to evangelism (remember Communism treats religion as opium of masses), said the Swami was eliminated for reviving Brahmanism. But he divulged an interesting clue by showing in preference for Christians. He said that overwhelming Christian community of Panas, an SC group, provide most cadres to Maoists in Orissa. Panda also clarified that Maoists as such believe in no religion. I don't know how to reconcile evangelism that believe in harvest of souls with Maoism (radical Communism) that believe there is no soul. In almost all European countries, wherever Communism succeeded the church had to go underground if not out of existence. But in Orissa perhaps it proves, there is some kind of 'strategic alliance' between church and Maoists. Church is a natural suspect in this heinous murder. Did the church outsource the Swami?s murder?
Kandhamal district has a population of 6.48 lakh as per 2001 census. Scheduled Tribes constitute 51.96 per cent, Scheduled Caste- 16.89 per cent. In religious terms Christians are 18.20 per cent and Muslims 0.3 per cent of population. Kandhamal violence can't be merely projected as a Hindu-Christian clash. The clash is a legacy from discord between Kandhs, (who are scheduled tribes, and 90 per cent of whom are still Hindus) and the Panas (who are scheduled castes, and 90 per cent of whom have converted to Christianity). As it is known a scheduled caste looses reservation benefits if he converts to, Christianity or Islam who believe in casteless society. But a scheduled tribe, a matter of ethnicity, retains the benefits regardless of his religion.
Some Panas (overwhelmingly Christians), desirous of reservation benefit, under the influence of missionaries had floated an organisation called 'Phulbani Kui Jana Kalyan Sangh' saying that their caste status should be changed in revenue records from Pana (SC) to Kui (ST). It is on the ground that they 'could speak the Kui language' that is spoken by the Kandhs, an ST group. The High Court directed the Orissa government to look into the matter. While 'Phulbani Kui Jana Kalyan Sangh' started a campaign that they should be treated as Kui (for obvious reservations benefits), many other Kui speaking organisations of Kandhs and others came forward to oppose their demand. The government clarified that there is no scope for Panas being treated as an ST, at par with Kandhs, because of Kui language.
Tribal Kandhs, view three groups caste groups viz,. Kumuti, Sundhi and Pana as their historical exploiters. While Kumuti was in business of money lending and purchase of tribal products, Sundhi sold liquor, Panas acted as intermediaries. Panas, having slowly picked up Kui, interpreted it to Kumuti and Sundhis who spoke Oriya. In 1920s, when the early Christian missions were set up in Kandhamal, Panas fell in the trap. While Panas, improved their socio-economic condition in the process, the condition of the Kandhs deteriorated.
But very few Kandhs budged from their ancestral faith. In late 1960s, when Swami Laxmananda, opened his ashram in the region, trying to keep Hindu folks together and bringing back those who have been converted through gullible means, Kandhs responded positively. The tribe of secularists who claim that tribal folks are not Hindus, they have no religion, should tell why Kandhs revered Laxmanand Saraswati?
Are tribals Hindus ? According to the church, they are not and hence are available to them for ?harvest? for the Lord. This question was best answered by Gandhiji. Responding to an query from Dr. Chesterman whether his (Gandhiji?s) objection to conversion applied to areas like the Kond Hills where the aboriginal races worshiped animals, his unhesitating reply was, ?Yes. It does apply, because I know that in spite of being described as animists these tribes have from times immemorial been absorbed in Hinduism. They are, like the indigenous medicine, of the soil, and their roots lie deep there. But you can only endorse this if you feel that Hinduism is as true as Christianity. I hold that all religions are true but imperfect inasmuch as they are presented through human agency and bear the impress of the imperfections and frailties of the human being. My quarrel with missionaries is that they think no religion other than Christianity is true.? (Harijan, 25.2.39)
(The writer is a Member of Parliament (RS) and can be contacted at punjbk@gmail.com)
(To be concluded)
Orissa under Attack?II
Organiser,2008 Issues > November 23, 2008
Orissa under Attack?II
Church strategy during British period
By Balbir K Punj
If missionary ?preaching? could leave such deep scars for so long a period on Gandhiji?s psyche, an evolved soul, how do you expect a common man to react to such a provocation?
The reality is that the Bajrang Dal doesn't have a significant presence in Kandhamal. Out of its four MLAs and one MP only one MLA comes from BJP, the rest are from BJD and Congress. The lone BJD minister, was forced by CM Naveen Patnaik to resign since he was found openly siding with his caste people, the Panas.
The broad picture put out by the `secular? media, (particularly at the national level) only mirrors the position of the church; that missionaries serve the underprivileged without any evangelical agenda. The Manuwadi vested interests (read Sangh Parivar) cannot stand the emancipation of the hapless poor and resort to violence against the church. Conversion from indigenous faiths to Christianity through fraudulent means is a bogey; raised by the ?Parivar? to cover its black deeds and for political ends. In short, church?s motives are pious and those of its opponents devilish.
What are the facts? Were the relations between the church and the locals hunky-dory before the arrival of much abused Bajrang Dal on the Indian scene a few decades back? Would the problem disappear if the `Sangh Parivar? was squashed and exiled from the country? Are the allegations against the church a concoction by the Parivar? And finally; is it church versus `Parivar? or church versus locals?
The reality is that the Bajrang Dal doesn't have a significant presence in Kandhamal. Out of its four MLAs and one MP only one MLA comes from BJP, the rest are from BJD and Congress. The lone BJD minister was forced by CM Naveen Patnaik to resign since he was found openly siding with his caste people, the Panas.
Christianity came to India just a few decades after its birth; long before it reached Europe. It remained ? undisturbed till about five hundred years back. Arrival of Christian missionaries who reached Indian shores as a part of imperial powers shattered their peaceful existence. Baba Saheb Ambedkar writes: ?The entry of the Catholic Church in the field of the spread of Christianity in India began in the year 1541 with the arrival of Francis Xavier. He was the first Missionary of the new Society of Jesus formed to support the authority of the Pope.
The Syrian Christians shrank with dismay from the defiling touch of the Roman Catholics of Portugal and proclaimed themselves Christians and not idolators. The other is that the Malabar Christians had never been subject to Roman supremacy and never subscribed to the Roman doctrine.
The elements of a conflict between the two churches were thus present and the inquisition only gave an occasion for the conflagration.
The inquisitors of Goa discovered that they were heretics and like a wolf on the fold, down came the delegates of the Pope upon the Syrian Churches. How great was the conflict is told by Mr. Kaye in his volume already referred to.
The first Syrian prelate who was brought into antagonism with Rome, expiated his want of courage and sincerity in the dungeons of the Inquisition. The second shared the same fate. A third, whose sufferings are more worth of commiseration, died after much trial and tribulation in his diocese, denying the Pope?s supremacy to the last. The churches were now without a Bishop, at a time when they more than ever needed prelatical countenance and support; for Rome was about to put forth a mighty hand and a stretched out arm. Don Alexis de Menezes was appointed Archbishop of Goa. It was his mission less to make new converts than to reduce old ones to subjection; and he flung himself in to the work of persecution with an amount of Zealand heroism that must have greatly endeared him to Rome. Impatient of the slow success of his agents, he determined to take the staff in to his own hand. Moving down to the south, with an imposing military force, he summoned the Syrian Churches to submit themselves to his authority.?
Till the British rule lasted, the missionaries were brazen about their intent. For over 500 years, Hindu Gods were abused openly. Writing about his exposure to various religions in his childhood in Rajkot, Gandhiji says in his autobiography, ?Only Christianity was at the time an exception. I developed a sort of dislike for it. And for a reason. In those days Christian missionaries used to stand in a corner near the High School and hold forth, pouring abuse on Hindus and their gods. I could not endure this. I must have stood there to hear them once only, but that was enough to dissuade me from repeating the experiment.? Decades later, Gandhiji recalled in Young India (March 4, 1926), ?though the preaching took place over forty years ago, the painful memorary of it is still vivid before me.? Obviously this practice was followed in the entire British India.
If missionary ?preaching? could leave such deep scars for so long a period on Gandhiji?s psyche, an evolved soul, how do you expect a common man to react to such a provocation? Poor Vanvasis have neither the maturity which Gandhiji had, nor articulation skills to express their hurt feelings like him through a thought provoking write-ups. The simple Vanvasis can react to the hurt and abuse in two ways?either suffering in silence or through the language of the jungle in which they live. Either way, they end up paying a heavy price for their conviction.
Social reformers?from Swami Dayanand Saraswati (founder of Arya Samaj 1824-1883), Swami Vivekanand to Mahatma Gandhi took cognizance of the real intent of the church and questioned its methods. Gandhiji said, ? I believe that there is no such thing as conversion from one faith to another in the accepted sense of the term?Christian missions will render true services to India, if they can persuade themselves to confine their activities to humanitarian service without the ulterior motive of converting India or at least her unsophisticated villagers to Christianity, and destroying their social superstructure, which not withstanding its many defects, has stood now from times immemorial the onslaughts upon it from within and without.? (Harijan, September 28, 1935) Mark Gandhiji?s words ?destroying their social superstructure.?
After Independence, the church changed its methods but its goal remained unchanged. Open confrontation with the indigenous faiths was dropped in favour of covert methods ,including offering inducements to the target groups (poor, needy and illiterate sections). The new strategy, focused on specific areas, has yielded handsome harvest to the church. A comparison between the census figures of 1991 and 2001 shows that rate of growth of Christian population was many times more than that of Hindus in as many as 18 out of 25 states and union territories.
(The writer is a Member of Parliament (RS) and can be contacted at punjbk@gmail.com)
(To be concluded)
Orissa under Attack?II
Church strategy during British period
By Balbir K Punj
If missionary ?preaching? could leave such deep scars for so long a period on Gandhiji?s psyche, an evolved soul, how do you expect a common man to react to such a provocation?
The reality is that the Bajrang Dal doesn't have a significant presence in Kandhamal. Out of its four MLAs and one MP only one MLA comes from BJP, the rest are from BJD and Congress. The lone BJD minister, was forced by CM Naveen Patnaik to resign since he was found openly siding with his caste people, the Panas.
The broad picture put out by the `secular? media, (particularly at the national level) only mirrors the position of the church; that missionaries serve the underprivileged without any evangelical agenda. The Manuwadi vested interests (read Sangh Parivar) cannot stand the emancipation of the hapless poor and resort to violence against the church. Conversion from indigenous faiths to Christianity through fraudulent means is a bogey; raised by the ?Parivar? to cover its black deeds and for political ends. In short, church?s motives are pious and those of its opponents devilish.
What are the facts? Were the relations between the church and the locals hunky-dory before the arrival of much abused Bajrang Dal on the Indian scene a few decades back? Would the problem disappear if the `Sangh Parivar? was squashed and exiled from the country? Are the allegations against the church a concoction by the Parivar? And finally; is it church versus `Parivar? or church versus locals?
The reality is that the Bajrang Dal doesn't have a significant presence in Kandhamal. Out of its four MLAs and one MP only one MLA comes from BJP, the rest are from BJD and Congress. The lone BJD minister was forced by CM Naveen Patnaik to resign since he was found openly siding with his caste people, the Panas.
Christianity came to India just a few decades after its birth; long before it reached Europe. It remained ? undisturbed till about five hundred years back. Arrival of Christian missionaries who reached Indian shores as a part of imperial powers shattered their peaceful existence. Baba Saheb Ambedkar writes: ?The entry of the Catholic Church in the field of the spread of Christianity in India began in the year 1541 with the arrival of Francis Xavier. He was the first Missionary of the new Society of Jesus formed to support the authority of the Pope.
The Syrian Christians shrank with dismay from the defiling touch of the Roman Catholics of Portugal and proclaimed themselves Christians and not idolators. The other is that the Malabar Christians had never been subject to Roman supremacy and never subscribed to the Roman doctrine.
The elements of a conflict between the two churches were thus present and the inquisition only gave an occasion for the conflagration.
The inquisitors of Goa discovered that they were heretics and like a wolf on the fold, down came the delegates of the Pope upon the Syrian Churches. How great was the conflict is told by Mr. Kaye in his volume already referred to.
The first Syrian prelate who was brought into antagonism with Rome, expiated his want of courage and sincerity in the dungeons of the Inquisition. The second shared the same fate. A third, whose sufferings are more worth of commiseration, died after much trial and tribulation in his diocese, denying the Pope?s supremacy to the last. The churches were now without a Bishop, at a time when they more than ever needed prelatical countenance and support; for Rome was about to put forth a mighty hand and a stretched out arm. Don Alexis de Menezes was appointed Archbishop of Goa. It was his mission less to make new converts than to reduce old ones to subjection; and he flung himself in to the work of persecution with an amount of Zealand heroism that must have greatly endeared him to Rome. Impatient of the slow success of his agents, he determined to take the staff in to his own hand. Moving down to the south, with an imposing military force, he summoned the Syrian Churches to submit themselves to his authority.?
Till the British rule lasted, the missionaries were brazen about their intent. For over 500 years, Hindu Gods were abused openly. Writing about his exposure to various religions in his childhood in Rajkot, Gandhiji says in his autobiography, ?Only Christianity was at the time an exception. I developed a sort of dislike for it. And for a reason. In those days Christian missionaries used to stand in a corner near the High School and hold forth, pouring abuse on Hindus and their gods. I could not endure this. I must have stood there to hear them once only, but that was enough to dissuade me from repeating the experiment.? Decades later, Gandhiji recalled in Young India (March 4, 1926), ?though the preaching took place over forty years ago, the painful memorary of it is still vivid before me.? Obviously this practice was followed in the entire British India.
If missionary ?preaching? could leave such deep scars for so long a period on Gandhiji?s psyche, an evolved soul, how do you expect a common man to react to such a provocation? Poor Vanvasis have neither the maturity which Gandhiji had, nor articulation skills to express their hurt feelings like him through a thought provoking write-ups. The simple Vanvasis can react to the hurt and abuse in two ways?either suffering in silence or through the language of the jungle in which they live. Either way, they end up paying a heavy price for their conviction.
Social reformers?from Swami Dayanand Saraswati (founder of Arya Samaj 1824-1883), Swami Vivekanand to Mahatma Gandhi took cognizance of the real intent of the church and questioned its methods. Gandhiji said, ? I believe that there is no such thing as conversion from one faith to another in the accepted sense of the term?Christian missions will render true services to India, if they can persuade themselves to confine their activities to humanitarian service without the ulterior motive of converting India or at least her unsophisticated villagers to Christianity, and destroying their social superstructure, which not withstanding its many defects, has stood now from times immemorial the onslaughts upon it from within and without.? (Harijan, September 28, 1935) Mark Gandhiji?s words ?destroying their social superstructure.?
After Independence, the church changed its methods but its goal remained unchanged. Open confrontation with the indigenous faiths was dropped in favour of covert methods ,including offering inducements to the target groups (poor, needy and illiterate sections). The new strategy, focused on specific areas, has yielded handsome harvest to the church. A comparison between the census figures of 1991 and 2001 shows that rate of growth of Christian population was many times more than that of Hindus in as many as 18 out of 25 states and union territories.
(The writer is a Member of Parliament (RS) and can be contacted at punjbk@gmail.com)
(To be concluded)
The challenges before Hinduism-II
Organiser,2008 Issues > November 30, 2008
The challenges before Hinduism-II
For survival Hindus have to fight back
By R.K. Ohri, IPS (Retd.)
During the last five years a massive campaign of ethnic cleansing of Hindus from border districts of Assam and West Bengal caused by aggressive infiltration of Bangladeshis has been in progress. Due to massive infiltration from Bangladesh as many as 7 districts of Assam and 4 districts of West Bengal are now dominated by the Muslims.
Till 1989, Hindus mostly Kashmiri Pundits were safely ensconsed in Kashmir Valley. Then came the retreat of Hindus and Sikhs from Kashmir Valley forced by relentless killings and ethnic cleansing by Jehadis. It finally lead to the exit of nearly four to five lakh Hindus from Kashmir Valley. Simultaneously there has been a fast paced ethnic cleansing of Hindus from Doda district of Jammu region. According to Census 1991, the Hindus constituted nearly 60 per cent of the population of Doda district. The Census 2001, however, revealed that the percentage of Hindus had been reduced to barely 40 per cent within a short span of ten years. And during the last 5 years a massive campaign of ethnic cleansing of Hindus from border districts of Assam and West Bengal caused by aggressive infiltration of Bangladeshis has been in progress. Due to massive infiltration from Bangladesh as many as 7 districts of Assam and 4 districts of West Bengal are now dominated by the Muslims. As highlighted by Bibhuti Bhusan Nandy, a retired senior intelligence officer of RAW, in an article titled ?Secular Claims, A Marxist Blend of Duplicity and Deception?, published in The Statesman, New Delhi, on January 21, 2005, due to criminal activities and intimidation and subversive activities of illegal immigrants, the original Hindu inhabitants of border districts are now moving out ?in droves? after selling their houses and lands to Muslims at throw away prices. He further pointed out that a few years ago in Nadia district of West Bengal nearly 60 per cent of agricultural land was owned by Hindus. But within the last few years the tables were turned on the Hindus and now the Muslims, mostly Bangladeshis, have acquired 60 per cent of the agricultural land in that sensitive border district.
The last Census (held in 2001) also revealed that in 6 important districts of Assam, namely Bongaigaon, Kokhrajhar, Dhubri, Barapeta, Nalbari and Darrang the decadal growth rate of Hindus was abysmally low, the lowest growth of 2.3 per cent recorded in the sensitive Bongaigaon district ? located perilously close to northeastern India?s ?chicken-neck? area. It is learnt that a very large number of Hindu families have moved out from that strategic area due to relentless infiltration of aggressive Bangladeshi Muslims. A huge security threat now looms large across Bongaigaon district and around the ?chicken-neck? area.
The situation in the Marxist ruled state of Tripura is equally bad and Hindus are in retreat from border districts. Neither the State government nor the Central Government have done anything to stem the tide of Hindu retreat from almost all border districts of West Bengal, Assam and Tripura. The stark decimation of Hindu identity from the border areas of Assam, West Bengal and other eastern States is clearly seen.
Simultaneously there has been a sharp increase in Jehadi attacks on Hindu temples, including ambushing and targeting of unarmed pilgrims going to Amarnath and Vaishnodevi. There have been repetitive bomb attacks on Hindu festivals. Hundreds of temples across the country are security protected so much so that even young children accompanying their parents and grand parents often ask awkward questions about the presence of uniformed policemen at these places of worship. All Hindu festivals are celebrated under the threat of attacks by Muslim Jehadis. These are clear pointers to the rising crescendo of the jihad being waged against Hindu identity of India.
(To be concluded)
(This Paper was presented in a capsule form, on October 26, 2008, at a symposium held at India International Centre under the aegis of AIM and Centre for Policy Studies.)
The challenges before Hinduism-II
For survival Hindus have to fight back
By R.K. Ohri, IPS (Retd.)
During the last five years a massive campaign of ethnic cleansing of Hindus from border districts of Assam and West Bengal caused by aggressive infiltration of Bangladeshis has been in progress. Due to massive infiltration from Bangladesh as many as 7 districts of Assam and 4 districts of West Bengal are now dominated by the Muslims.
Till 1989, Hindus mostly Kashmiri Pundits were safely ensconsed in Kashmir Valley. Then came the retreat of Hindus and Sikhs from Kashmir Valley forced by relentless killings and ethnic cleansing by Jehadis. It finally lead to the exit of nearly four to five lakh Hindus from Kashmir Valley. Simultaneously there has been a fast paced ethnic cleansing of Hindus from Doda district of Jammu region. According to Census 1991, the Hindus constituted nearly 60 per cent of the population of Doda district. The Census 2001, however, revealed that the percentage of Hindus had been reduced to barely 40 per cent within a short span of ten years. And during the last 5 years a massive campaign of ethnic cleansing of Hindus from border districts of Assam and West Bengal caused by aggressive infiltration of Bangladeshis has been in progress. Due to massive infiltration from Bangladesh as many as 7 districts of Assam and 4 districts of West Bengal are now dominated by the Muslims. As highlighted by Bibhuti Bhusan Nandy, a retired senior intelligence officer of RAW, in an article titled ?Secular Claims, A Marxist Blend of Duplicity and Deception?, published in The Statesman, New Delhi, on January 21, 2005, due to criminal activities and intimidation and subversive activities of illegal immigrants, the original Hindu inhabitants of border districts are now moving out ?in droves? after selling their houses and lands to Muslims at throw away prices. He further pointed out that a few years ago in Nadia district of West Bengal nearly 60 per cent of agricultural land was owned by Hindus. But within the last few years the tables were turned on the Hindus and now the Muslims, mostly Bangladeshis, have acquired 60 per cent of the agricultural land in that sensitive border district.
The last Census (held in 2001) also revealed that in 6 important districts of Assam, namely Bongaigaon, Kokhrajhar, Dhubri, Barapeta, Nalbari and Darrang the decadal growth rate of Hindus was abysmally low, the lowest growth of 2.3 per cent recorded in the sensitive Bongaigaon district ? located perilously close to northeastern India?s ?chicken-neck? area. It is learnt that a very large number of Hindu families have moved out from that strategic area due to relentless infiltration of aggressive Bangladeshi Muslims. A huge security threat now looms large across Bongaigaon district and around the ?chicken-neck? area.
The situation in the Marxist ruled state of Tripura is equally bad and Hindus are in retreat from border districts. Neither the State government nor the Central Government have done anything to stem the tide of Hindu retreat from almost all border districts of West Bengal, Assam and Tripura. The stark decimation of Hindu identity from the border areas of Assam, West Bengal and other eastern States is clearly seen.
Simultaneously there has been a sharp increase in Jehadi attacks on Hindu temples, including ambushing and targeting of unarmed pilgrims going to Amarnath and Vaishnodevi. There have been repetitive bomb attacks on Hindu festivals. Hundreds of temples across the country are security protected so much so that even young children accompanying their parents and grand parents often ask awkward questions about the presence of uniformed policemen at these places of worship. All Hindu festivals are celebrated under the threat of attacks by Muslim Jehadis. These are clear pointers to the rising crescendo of the jihad being waged against Hindu identity of India.
(To be concluded)
(This Paper was presented in a capsule form, on October 26, 2008, at a symposium held at India International Centre under the aegis of AIM and Centre for Policy Studies.)
Orissa under Attack?III
Organiser,2008 Issues > November 30, 2008
Indepth
Orissa under Attack?III
Church strategy after the lull
By Balbir K Punj
?...Well funded, superbly networked, backed by the highest of the land, seized up its moral supremacy, it has India as arc of its key targets?. Talking about the findings of its countrywide investigations, the Tehelka report says ?the conversion drive was more than just a numbers game; it was an unabashed exercise.?
To carry out its sordid business of harvesting of souls, the church now adopts a multi-layered strategy, full of prevarication, snivel and subterfuge. It?s Janus faced. For the elite, the church claims that it worships the Lord through the service of the poor and has no conversion agenda. At ground level there are covert and overt attcks on other faiths. (The trouble in Karnataka followed publication of such a booklet Satyadarshini, in which Hindu Gods were abused). Protests against such insults are termed as attacks on the Christians. While allegations of conversions are denied, the right to evangelise is defended and exercised. Inducements to change the faith are never accepted, but ?help? to the needy and subsequent conversions are explained as ?change of heart !
The above mentioned stratagem followed by the church in the post-Independence era is not a part of the Bajrang Dal propaganda. This is the substance of the Neogi Committee (NC) report. The NC was constituted by a Congress government of Madhya Pradesh and it submitted its report running 1500 pages in 1956. Subsequently four Congress run states ? Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Orissa and finally Himachal Pradesh (in 2007) brought out laws to check such unethical conversions to protect local culture and maintain social harmony.
The church and locals have become more frequent and violent in the last few years. This was inevitable in view of the church?s plan to evangalise India in the 21st century. The ?sinister plan? was revealed in a detailed investigative report by the weekly Tehelka (February 7, 2004) (surely not a Sangh Parivar publication). The report said, ?a new mood of aggressive evangelism has been emanating from America. Well funded, superbly networked, backed by the highest of the land, seized up its moral supremacy, it has India as arc of its key targets?. Talking about the findings of its countrywide investigations, the Tehelka report says ?the conversion drive was more than just a numbers game; it was an unabashed exercise. And the aim was sinister?.. frightening and equally sinister was revelation that US trans-national organisational had personal data down to last man, important because he was the vehicle who would get the next convert?.
The Tehelka report says ?The missionary goal is to set up a church within cycling distance. Then within walking distance and finally within hearing distance. The church growth figures with Tehelka clearly indicate that this missions mandate is on in full swing?. During 2000-2001, according to Tehelka, various denominations of churches received from abroad a total of Rs. 4,535.23 crores, 15.56 per cent increase over the amount received in the previous year.
Recently there was a clinching admission of church?s strategy in the last lines of the dispatch??Life As The Other??The Indian Express, Delhi edition, October 23 last. ?The entire problem began because New Life was attracting poor people in distress and challenging their shallow faith by offering money and property to convert?, was how Father Austin Menezes of Melagres Church of Mangalore described the work of New Life Fellowship Trust whose actions provoked violence in Karnataka's port city. In reality, such an abrasive approach to evangelism was at the core of a popular outrage against the Trust. Notice that Father Menezes has no qualms describing the belief of poor people as ?shallow? and admits offers of ?money and property? being made to the poor for inducing conversions.
But if New Life was 'offering money and property to convert' it is only part of church's well-established stratagem to bring people to Christ. It is empirically as integral to strategy of church, as conversion is integral to Christianity itself. Evangelical organisations frequently run into troubles for such acts whether in Karnataka or Orrisa. But they receive support from the fourth estate, (even when kingdom of heaven doesn't intervene), for whom any opportunity is as good as the other to demonise Sangh Parivar and BJP. Not infrequently such ?atrocities against Christians? are laced with gory tales of rape of a nun and a lot worse.
Fortunately, most of the Christians do not subscribe to the church?s agenda of harvesting of souls and are as good citizens as any one else. Many of them do suffer (along with the rest) in the social unrest triggered by the shenanigans of the church. The victims of this mindless violence should not be seen as Christians and non-Christians. They are first Oriyas and Indians and anything else later. Painting the ?Sangh Parivar? black will not help. The hostile relationship between the locals in India and abroad, and the church pre-dates the birth of the `Parivar? by several hundred of years.
The ugly events in Kandhmal and elsewhere are the result of what Gandhiji called as the destruction of the ?social superstructure? by the missionaries over the last several decades. India is steeped into pluralistic ethos and believes in ?God is one?, irrespective of His numereous names and shapes. church has faith only in ?One God?. To it, all the rest are false and those believing in them have to be ?saved? and ?harvested? for the Lord. Should not the church heed Gandhiji and leave people to their faith? The innocent Kandhs are fighting a battle for the pluralistic character of India. They look at missionaries and their evangelical enterprise the way Gandhiji saw it. Their hurt is the same as that of Gandhiji. But they are not Gandhians. They do not have the benefit of education and are unequipped to deal with sophism which comes naturally to the elite. While their methods to do so at time may be outside the frame work of law, their intent is noble. The civil society must stand by them, give them a lead and articulate their concerns as Gandhiji did.
(The writer is a Member of Parliament (RS) and can be contacted at punjbk@gmail.com)
Sl.No. State / UT Rate of growth
Christians % by which
Christian rate of
growth is higher
compared to Hindus
1. Arunachal Pradesh 130.9 18.7 600 %
2. Assam 32.5 14.9 118.12
3. Bihar 35.9 23.0 56.09
4. Delhi 56.7 44.1 28.57
5. Gujarat 56.3 22.1 154.75
6. Haryana 73.2 27.0 171.11
7. Himachal Pradesh 73.3 17.0 331.18
8. Madhya Pradesh 33.9 21.7 56.22
9. Manipur 17.7 -5.9
10. Meghalaya 42.1 18.3 130.05
11. Mizoram 30.7 - 9.3
12. Nagaland 69.2 25.1 175.70
13. Orissa 34.8 15.9 118.87
14. Rajasthan 51.4 27.9 84.30
15. Sikkim 169.3 18.6 810.22
16. Tamil Nadu 19.0 11.0 72.73
17. Tripura 120.5 14.9 708.72
18. West Bengal 34.3 14.2 141.55
Indepth
Orissa under Attack?III
Church strategy after the lull
By Balbir K Punj
?...Well funded, superbly networked, backed by the highest of the land, seized up its moral supremacy, it has India as arc of its key targets?. Talking about the findings of its countrywide investigations, the Tehelka report says ?the conversion drive was more than just a numbers game; it was an unabashed exercise.?
To carry out its sordid business of harvesting of souls, the church now adopts a multi-layered strategy, full of prevarication, snivel and subterfuge. It?s Janus faced. For the elite, the church claims that it worships the Lord through the service of the poor and has no conversion agenda. At ground level there are covert and overt attcks on other faiths. (The trouble in Karnataka followed publication of such a booklet Satyadarshini, in which Hindu Gods were abused). Protests against such insults are termed as attacks on the Christians. While allegations of conversions are denied, the right to evangelise is defended and exercised. Inducements to change the faith are never accepted, but ?help? to the needy and subsequent conversions are explained as ?change of heart !
The above mentioned stratagem followed by the church in the post-Independence era is not a part of the Bajrang Dal propaganda. This is the substance of the Neogi Committee (NC) report. The NC was constituted by a Congress government of Madhya Pradesh and it submitted its report running 1500 pages in 1956. Subsequently four Congress run states ? Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Orissa and finally Himachal Pradesh (in 2007) brought out laws to check such unethical conversions to protect local culture and maintain social harmony.
The church and locals have become more frequent and violent in the last few years. This was inevitable in view of the church?s plan to evangalise India in the 21st century. The ?sinister plan? was revealed in a detailed investigative report by the weekly Tehelka (February 7, 2004) (surely not a Sangh Parivar publication). The report said, ?a new mood of aggressive evangelism has been emanating from America. Well funded, superbly networked, backed by the highest of the land, seized up its moral supremacy, it has India as arc of its key targets?. Talking about the findings of its countrywide investigations, the Tehelka report says ?the conversion drive was more than just a numbers game; it was an unabashed exercise. And the aim was sinister?.. frightening and equally sinister was revelation that US trans-national organisational had personal data down to last man, important because he was the vehicle who would get the next convert?.
The Tehelka report says ?The missionary goal is to set up a church within cycling distance. Then within walking distance and finally within hearing distance. The church growth figures with Tehelka clearly indicate that this missions mandate is on in full swing?. During 2000-2001, according to Tehelka, various denominations of churches received from abroad a total of Rs. 4,535.23 crores, 15.56 per cent increase over the amount received in the previous year.
Recently there was a clinching admission of church?s strategy in the last lines of the dispatch??Life As The Other??The Indian Express, Delhi edition, October 23 last. ?The entire problem began because New Life was attracting poor people in distress and challenging their shallow faith by offering money and property to convert?, was how Father Austin Menezes of Melagres Church of Mangalore described the work of New Life Fellowship Trust whose actions provoked violence in Karnataka's port city. In reality, such an abrasive approach to evangelism was at the core of a popular outrage against the Trust. Notice that Father Menezes has no qualms describing the belief of poor people as ?shallow? and admits offers of ?money and property? being made to the poor for inducing conversions.
But if New Life was 'offering money and property to convert' it is only part of church's well-established stratagem to bring people to Christ. It is empirically as integral to strategy of church, as conversion is integral to Christianity itself. Evangelical organisations frequently run into troubles for such acts whether in Karnataka or Orrisa. But they receive support from the fourth estate, (even when kingdom of heaven doesn't intervene), for whom any opportunity is as good as the other to demonise Sangh Parivar and BJP. Not infrequently such ?atrocities against Christians? are laced with gory tales of rape of a nun and a lot worse.
Fortunately, most of the Christians do not subscribe to the church?s agenda of harvesting of souls and are as good citizens as any one else. Many of them do suffer (along with the rest) in the social unrest triggered by the shenanigans of the church. The victims of this mindless violence should not be seen as Christians and non-Christians. They are first Oriyas and Indians and anything else later. Painting the ?Sangh Parivar? black will not help. The hostile relationship between the locals in India and abroad, and the church pre-dates the birth of the `Parivar? by several hundred of years.
The ugly events in Kandhmal and elsewhere are the result of what Gandhiji called as the destruction of the ?social superstructure? by the missionaries over the last several decades. India is steeped into pluralistic ethos and believes in ?God is one?, irrespective of His numereous names and shapes. church has faith only in ?One God?. To it, all the rest are false and those believing in them have to be ?saved? and ?harvested? for the Lord. Should not the church heed Gandhiji and leave people to their faith? The innocent Kandhs are fighting a battle for the pluralistic character of India. They look at missionaries and their evangelical enterprise the way Gandhiji saw it. Their hurt is the same as that of Gandhiji. But they are not Gandhians. They do not have the benefit of education and are unequipped to deal with sophism which comes naturally to the elite. While their methods to do so at time may be outside the frame work of law, their intent is noble. The civil society must stand by them, give them a lead and articulate their concerns as Gandhiji did.
(The writer is a Member of Parliament (RS) and can be contacted at punjbk@gmail.com)
Sl.No. State / UT Rate of growth
Christians % by which
Christian rate of
growth is higher
compared to Hindus
1. Arunachal Pradesh 130.9 18.7 600 %
2. Assam 32.5 14.9 118.12
3. Bihar 35.9 23.0 56.09
4. Delhi 56.7 44.1 28.57
5. Gujarat 56.3 22.1 154.75
6. Haryana 73.2 27.0 171.11
7. Himachal Pradesh 73.3 17.0 331.18
8. Madhya Pradesh 33.9 21.7 56.22
9. Manipur 17.7 -5.9
10. Meghalaya 42.1 18.3 130.05
11. Mizoram 30.7 - 9.3
12. Nagaland 69.2 25.1 175.70
13. Orissa 34.8 15.9 118.87
14. Rajasthan 51.4 27.9 84.30
15. Sikkim 169.3 18.6 810.22
16. Tamil Nadu 19.0 11.0 72.73
17. Tripura 120.5 14.9 708.72
18. West Bengal 34.3 14.2 141.55
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