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The Sangh reclaims Christian tribals in Nasik

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It was no baptism by fire although it was the high point of the Vishal Hindu Sammelan organised at the Peth Yatra Maidan by the newly-formed Dharma Raksha Samiti. Thirty-seven adivasis from the villages of Kayre-Sadadpada, Rajbari and Naalsheth in Peth taluka quietly lined up before 'Shankaracharya' Vidyashankar Bharati of Karveer Peeth and with a sprinkling of holy water, the presentation of a saffron cloth and a flower, their "reconversion" to Hinduism was complete. But, says day-old reconvert Laxman Kule whose stomach ailment persists despite hopping religions, "It makes no difference."

The rhetoric at the ceremony was all fire and brimstone. And a six-point resolution was passed by the saffron salvation army the 'Shankaracharya', Acharya Nagrajbaba of the Manubhav Panth, Acharya Saikarbaba and Swami Aseemanand of the VKP in Dangs. Each endorsed with the chanting of "Om": Christian missionaries must be banned. Unauthorised churches should not be protected by the government. Converted tribals should reconvert and those who don't should be denied all privileges available to tribals. The national anthem and national flag should be honoured in educational institutions. And Bharat Mata poojan should be held on January 26 and August 15.

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The sammelan was the end of a two-month effort to blow up the clashes between the adivasis and the converts of Kayre-Sadadpada village during which a church was damaged. Says Gangaram Awhare "Guruji", convenor of the sammelan, "There is no place for outsiders here. They have disrupted the unity of the adivasi brethren. The damage to the church was good. It made people aware of what these missionaries are up to."

The 'Shankaracharya' and Aseemanand have said violence in the face of injustice is admissible. Meanwhile, the church at Kayre-Sadadpada is partly rubble. The stones around have been used to erect silences between the inhabitants.

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