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.