INDIA Chhattisgarh, tribal Christians camp to protest against violence by Hindu nationalists

In Narayanpur district, hundreds of people are demanding that complaints be filed against groups operating in the villages that, at the instigation of local politicians, assault and evict Christian converts from their homes. So far in December there have been 21 such incidents. “They are taking away our fundamental rights.”

Raipur () – In the Indian state of Chhattisgarh, a crowd of Christians from tribal communities from 14 villages are holding a protest camp. The sit-in in front of the local magistrate’s office, in the Narayanpur district, is aimed at denouncing a series of abuses perpetrated by Hindu nationalists. Protesters claim they were assaulted and evicted from their homes for converting to Christianity.

According to the complaint, on Sunday December 18 -the date close to Christmas- 50 people were beaten and evicted from their homes in Cherang, Bastar. But in the entire month of December there were 21 such incidents in the area, 15 in November and three in October. Christians were physically attacked in Bhatpal, Modenga and Gohda.

Nearly a thousand locals are camped on the outskirts of the Narayanpur district to pressure the authorities to register a complaint for the acts of violence. The perpetrators were allegedly instigated by local political leaders, influenced by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and other Hindutva organizations.

“The village leaders,” the protesters explained, “incited others to threaten, mistreat and physically assault us, destroying and stealing our crops and products. They also incited a social boycott, accusing Christians of “occult activities.”

“We have lived in these villages for generations without discrimination,” they continue, “peacefully practicing our religion and its rituals. However, there are some leaders who incite others to attack us and our community. The authority of the traditional local councils is used to attack us in our homes. Women and children have become targets of obscene comments. They are taking away our fundamental rights and even robbing us of the right to live.”