The fight between the two is going on: the graves of those who became Christians are being uprooted, the tribals said - the power of our gods is being reduced

There are broadly two tribal groups in Bastar, one who believes in gods and goddesses, and the other who goes to church. There is a fight going on between these two. The situation is so bad that the dead bodies of those who have changed their religion in the past are not being allowed to be buried in the villages. If buried, they are being uprooted.

The tribals fear that the rate at which conversions have increased will destroy their culture. This is the reason why people who have converted are being evicted from the village. Mistrust has increased so much that there are frequent clashes between the media and the police.

The beheading of the SP of Narayanpur was a link to this. 250 people have been given shelter in 4 churches in Kondagaon. There are 30 families in the Bazarpara church itself. The Methodist Church has 70 people. Refugees are also kept in rented houses.

House, land, and animals were all freed; instilling hatred in the children

Children were studying, now going to school is closed: Sahdevi of Bansgaon tells that she has two children. Rajkumar and Savita. The family has been going to church since 2019. Due to this, the tribals of the village severed ties with the family. Recently on 18th December, the villagers attacked the house. Had to leave everything behind and come to Kondagaon. Both the children have missed their studies. Our cows, bullocks, goats, and goats were all taken away.

Water shut off: Ramwati, 35, is from Kiwaibaleng. She says there was a problem. Went to church, got relief, and then started going every day. Due to going there, the villagers stopped our water. The villagers say that we are not fit to live with them. She alleges that Peelaram, the village head, beat her up and chased her away.

Not even letting children play: Bansgaon's limit is 11 years. Wears a cross around the neck. She studies in sixth. Earlier all the kids in the school used to play with Seema. Going to church for two years. Now other kids have stopped playing with him. After the war of 18th December, even the school has been abandoned. Pinky Netam, Reshma Netam, and Ankita Mandavi all have the same story.

Had a 45-year relationship with the village, broke it: 60-year-old Budhan says that she got married at the age of 15. Was in the village since then. Had the best relationship for 45 years. I have been going to church for 4 years. Now everyone has broken the relationship. She says that Mahesh belongs to my family only. He snatched the land, farming, and everything and said, go wherever you want to go.

tribal side

Earlier there were churches to the block level, now in every village, the tradition is in danger

Patel Sitaram of Garanji village of Narayanpur says that Narayanpur was divided into 84 Parganas. The speed with which these people (Christians) are spreading from village to village can put our traditions in danger. Earlier there used to be a crowd of people to lift the gods, today they have to be called. Tribal society is not violent, but organized and their traditions are dearest to them.

In such a situation, we will oppose any attempt that destroys our culture. Tribals believe that if non-tribals are buried on their land, their land will be polluted. The gods will be angry and their power will also be less. Earlier there used to be churches at the block level. But, now churches are being opened at the panchayat level. One thing common to the people who go to church is that they are suffering from some disease or the other.

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