New Delhi (ICNS) -- The Central government on Thursday said efforts would be made to provide additional paramilitary forces to ensure peaceful conduct of the "Shabri Kumbh Mela" in Gujarat's Dangs district.

The move came following reports of a large congregation being planned for the Feb. 11-13 mela in the predominantly tribal district by a rightwing Hindu outfit.

In a letter to the Gujarat Chief Secretary, Union Home Secretary V.K. Duggal suggested that extensive arrangements be made along the route leading from the bordering states and districts to the site.

He also suggested making adequate security arrangements in villages where the people of minority community live or where religious and educational institutions are located. Four companies of the Rapid Action Force (RAF),
stationed in Ahmedabad, would be deployed in the area.

The event is being organised by the Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad at Shabri Dham near Jarsol in Dangs district. The district witnessed attacks on the Christian tribal population and their institutions during the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) regime in 1998.

With nearly 10 per cent of the population of the area being Christian tribals, the Parishad, a front organisation of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), tries to discourage the others from getting converted to Christianity.

At a meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil reviewed the law and order situation in the Dangs and surrounding areas.

The Ministry sent A.K. Mitra, Special Secretary (Internal Security), to Ahmedabad and Dangs on Jan. 29 for a three-day visit to make an on-the-spot assessment of the situation.

The Centre is keeping a close watch on the situation, sources in the ministry told reporters.

Intelligence inputs said the Christians in the adjoining Nandurbar district in Maharashtra were also apprehensive of tension following the congregation and the programme of "Suddhikaran" (reconversion).

Several Christian organisations,, have urged the Gujarat Government and the Centre to take steps to ensure the safety of Christian missionaries and institutions.

Nearly 300,000 tribals from across the country are likely to converge in the area to attend the programme, being dubbed as "Sabri Mahakumbh", which is aimed at protecting the Hindu religion from the foreigners.

The three-day programme is likely to be attended, among others, by RSS chief K.S. Sudarshan, Sant Asaram and Morari Bapu.

The "Mahakumbh" for tribals is aimed at mobilising their clan from Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Another outfit "Shri Sabarimata Seva Samiti", affiliated to the Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad, has been active in Dangs over the past one-and-a-half decades. It claims to have reconverted, on an average, 200-500 Christian
tribals to Hinduism every year for the past few years.

The Hindu group has often accused the Christian missionaries of indulging in conversions under the pretext of social and religious services.

Christian groups have denied the charge. They say the Hindu outfits want tribals to remain undeveloped and illiterate.

--
Sajan George
Global Council of Indian Christians( GCIC)
00919844069735