Tribals want ban on liquor, gambling to stop conversion
JAMSHEDPUR: Tribals in Aikuti village, West Singhbhum, have called for a ban on liquor and gambling to protect families from going wayward. The villagers believe alcohol and gambling make them easy targets for religious conversions.
The villagers, under the banner of Adivasi Ho Samaj Yuva Mahasabha (AHSYM), have launched a campaign against religious conversions. At a recent community meeting, the tribals have decided to boycott families, who show interest in conversions .
Manjit Koda, a local resident, said liquor and gambling are two vices that spoil youths. “The sale of liquor should be banned in all the rural areas of Jharkhand to stop conversions,” he added.
The villagers have also threatened four local residents, who allegedly promoted conversions. A few of them were recently asked to leave the village at a gramsabha, said Koda.
“The tribal identity, their costumes, tradition, literature and culture need to be protected and promoted among youths. Conversion is an attack on tribal population. It is time we preserve tribal existence”, president of AHSYM, West Singhbhum district committee, Gabbar Singh Hembrom said.
A special gramsabha will be arranged in the village in the next few days for five families, who have agreed to reconvert to Sarna religion.
General secretary of AHSYM, Soma Koda, said: “Villagers have decided not to allow outsiders without approval from gramsabha. No religious organisation will be allowed to conduct meeting without prior consent from gramsabha,” he added.
“Villagers in Jagannathpur block have expressed deep concern over this new trend of conversions among tribals. Altogether six families have been converted to Sarna religion in Aikuti village recently. We will launch a mass movement in tribal villages to create awareness on the issue,” Koda said.
In October, chief minister Raghubar Das had ordered a probe by CID after intelligence reports on the activities of at least 106 Christian-affiliated NGOs. After the BJP assumed power, the RSS flagged what it said was large scale conversion of tribal people by Christian missionaries, allegedly through allurement of cash and kind.