MINORITIES - 2002 - Indian Social Institute

Conversions spark row in Orissa again(7)
Bhubaneswar, July 1: RELIGIOUS CONVERSION has yet again led to controversy in Orissa. The
immediate cause this time is the conversion of 23 tribals in Basmitola village of Mayurbhanj district. The
tribals, according to officials at the Bangiriposhi police station, had duly submitted affidavits to the district
collector as required under the Orissa Freedom of Religion Act (OFRA) for changing their religion.
Mayurbhanj district collector D.K. Singh said: "Conversion is a very sensitive issue and have already
submitted my report to the government." Predictably, the Hindu right isn't happy. VHP state secretary
Gouri Prasad Rath said a fact-finding team of the VHP will visit Basmitola. Rath added: "Allurements are
being used by Christians to convert the tribals. The VHP will initiate steps if OFRA provisions have been
violated." Allegations and counter-allegations on religious conversions is a regular feature in the state. On
the Sundargarh reconversions, which saw 143 converted tribal Christians coming back to the Hindu fold
on June 16, the Global Council of Indian Christians had alleged the involvement of Union Tribal Affairs
Minister. (The Hindustan Times 2 nd July 2002)
2 nd July
Politicians using religion for their vested interests (7)
New Delhi: Religious leaders in the Capital have condemned the political leadership for exploiting the
prejudices and misunderstanding of different religions for their vested interests. Perturbed over the
Gujarat communal carnage and the problems persisting in Kashmir, the religious head organized an
all-religion meeting here on Sunday evening. The meeting under the banner of Foundation for Religious
Harmony and Universal Peace, at Seesganj Gurdwara in the Capital, commemorated the martyrdom of
Guru Teg Bahadur. (Pioneer 2.7.02)
3rd July
Forensic report gives new twist to Godhra fire (7)
Ahmedabad: The mystery over the burning of S-6 compartment of the Sabarmati Express at Godhra on
February 27, in which 59 passengers were killed and that led to a spate of communal violence in Gujarat,
has deepened with the forensic report on the incident discounting the possibility that a mob threw
inflammable material from outside and then set the bogie on fire.
Tests conducted by the Ahmedabad-based Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) have shown that about 60
litres of inflammable substance was poured from inside the compartment before it was set on fire. A report
by FSL's assistant director M.S. Dahiya, which is part of the chargesheet filed in the Godhra case about a
month ago, is based on a study of the pattern of burns in the compartment and a simulated exercise
conducted on May 3 to recreate the incident. The report contradicts the view held so far that the mob
which attacked the train threw inflammable liquid at the compartment using buckets and cans from a
distance. (The Times of India 3 rd July 2002)
3 rd July
Christians march against vandalism (7)
Ranchi: Christians on Tuesday took out a peace march here condemning the June 29 destruction of
statues of Mother Mary and Jesus Christ at Samlong near here. Police said the rallyists submitted a
memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner’s office demanding culprits’ arrest. Some hoodlums
vandalized the statues the Vatican gifted to a church in 1998. (Indian Exp 3.7.02)
3rd July
PM calls off Gaurav Yatras, Modi buckles (7)
New Delhi: July 2: The VHP sponsored Gujarat Gaurav yatras planned from Thursday across the state
have been cancelled. The announcement was made in New Delhi on Tuesday evening by Prime Minister
A.B. Vajpayee after he reviewed the progress of rehabilitation in Gujarat. Earlier a delegation led by former
Prime Minister I.K. Gujaral met him. It was suggested during both meetings that the yatras may be
dangerous to the communally sensitive state. (Hindustan Times 3.7.02)
3 rd July
Tension in Asind over Urs sheds on Temple premises (7)