Narmada Samajik Kumbh from 10 Feb to 12 Feb 2011 in Jabalpur

During the Narmada Samajik Kumbh from 10 Feb to 12 Feb 2011 in Jabalpur two million attendees are expected in Madhya Pradesh.

But here earlier this week, the All India Christian Council (AICC) sent appeals for preventative action to state and national government officials to halt anti-Christian hate speech and ensure peace. After that fact-finding team of the AICC recently spent three days in the Mandla-Jabalpur region and is deeply concerned over imminent threats to the Christian community.

AICC secretary general, John Dayal said, “We support the freedom of the majority community to hold massive religious events. But, we fear that, even if there is no violence or a forcible conversion of Christians to Hinduism during the Kumbh, the Hindutva campaign has poisoned the atmosphere in Madhya Pradesh. This will negatively impact relationships between Christian and other tribals in the hamlets, villages, and townships of the region.”

“The penetration of hard core Hindutva activists in Madhya Pradesh may have a long-term dampening affect on freedom of religion in this region. It may also negatively impact the continuing social work of Christians, including schools and medical centers in under-developed districts,” said Dayal.

The fact-finding team was comprised John Dayal, member, National Integration Council, Government of India, and AICC secretary general, and Vijayesh Lal, human rights activist and secretary of the Religious Liberty Commission, Evangelical Fellowship of India. The organisers of the ‘kumbh’ are Sangh Parivar groups such as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

AICC secretary general said, “We were told that sadhus and Hindutva activists have traveled throughout the Mandla’s villages. While collecting money for food and care of Kumbh participants, they made oral threats and allegations of illegal activities by missionaries or priests, according to Christian and social leaders in Mandla. They threatened to wipe out Christianity from the region and convert the region’s Christians to Hinduism through ritual cleansing.”

Fact finding team revealed on December 6, 2010 the police superintendent issued orders telling churches, and other groups, they must close schools and institutions and house visiting dignitaries and women police. School officials told police a lengthy school closure will be impossible. The police superintendent now claims he did not sign the order.