Christians fearful as Hindu festival nears

(Sept.21,2012010) Christians in a tribal district of India’s central Madhya Pradesh state, say they are worried about their safety in the run-up to a major Hindu gathering on the banks of a river. Bishop Gerald Almeida of Jabalpur told ucanews he was worried about the security of Christians in Mandla district. He said Christian families are under pressure from some Hindu groups, to contribute toward a three-day religious gathering, called Narmada Kumbh, scheduled for February next year.
Some Hindu groups have jointly planned the event in which, people take ritual baths in rivers, perceived to be holy, to wash away their sins. Some Church leaders said a major concern is that the pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party, which rules the state, is backing the religious program.
Bishop Almeida said he, along with a delegation of bishops, met state Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, to voice their concerns. “The chief minister has assured us that no harm would be done to Christians, still the fear is on the rise as the program approaches,” he said. The bishop added that the Church cannot do much, other than inform the administration about the situation and it is the duty of the state to ensure law and order.