Fear of violence at a 2 million-strong Hindu gathering in Madhya Pradesh
(February 10, 2011) Christian communities in Madhya Pradesh have called on the government
for protection ahead of the Narmada Samajik Kumbh, a huge Hindu gathering expected
to attract some two million people in Jabalpur on Thursday. The meeting was preceded
by a powerful media campaign against “forced conversions” by Christians. It also includes
the planned “reconversion” of Tribals to Hinduism. Archbishop Leo Cornelius of Bhopal
and president of the Bishops’ Conference of Madhya Pradesh, said that Hindu propaganda
on forced conversion is false and driven by “political interests”. For the prelate,
the extremist gathering is “a deliberate attempt to stir up problems” and could “harm
the image of a tolerant India.” Congress Secretary General Digvijay Singh has criticised
the state government of Madhya Pradesh for spending a billion rupees (US$ 22 million)
on the event, which he describes as “a disinformation campaign against Christians.”
The Narmada Samajik Kumbh was organised by the Sangh Parivar, an umbrella organisation
that includes many Hindu extremists groups. The event is scheduled for 10-12 February.
The entire leadership of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is among the invited guests,
as are other leaders from a number of armed militant groups, as well as government
leaders from Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The goal of the meeting is to free
the region from Christian missionaries, whom they accuse of converting large number
of mostly ethnic Mandla and Gond Tribals. Christian priests and leaders in Madhya
Pradesh sent a memorandum to the government, condemning the ‘back to the fold’ reconversion
ceremony for Christian Tribals and requesting security for religious minorities and
places of worship.