Hindu Festival Threatens Indian Christians

I wanted to update you on the outcome of this festival. God is good AND He does provide spiritual protection and answer the prayers of His saints, even in these times of great spiritual upheaval... Please continue to pray that there will be no residual violence emerging from those who attended the hindu festival.

Tuesday, February 14, 2006
HINDU EXTREMISTS SPREAD HATE; CHRISTIANS CELEBRATE FESTIVAL OF JOY
OPEN DOORS USA
Jerry Dykstra, Media Relations Coordinator
Phone: 616-915-4117
E-Mail: JerryD@odusa.org
Web Site: www.opendoorsusa.org

SANTA ANA, CA (ANS) -- Organizers and local sources estimated that 300,000 Hindus converged on the Dangs region of Gujarat state in India during a three-day rally that began on February 11, although the government figure stands at 160,000 people.

The rally was designed by extremists “to trigger the return of thousands of Christian vanvasi [forest-dwelling] converts back to the Hindu fold.” At the same time, many of the area’s Christians attended an annual three-day Christian worship event.

The three-day Shabri Kumbh, or “Hindu Re-Awakening,” was organized by Hindu extremist groups, including the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP or World Hindu Council). The rally started amidst shouting of militant Hindu slogans such as, “Only those people will rule this country who talk about favoring Hindus.”

Participants listened to speakers, including Hindu religious leaders, espousing the “one nation based on one culture” theory as propagated by the extremists groups. Speakers accused Christians in general and Christian missionaries in particular of inducing Adivasis (tribal, sub-caste Indians) to convert and advised them to stay away from Dangs. Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi, among others, spoke openly against Christians and vowed to prevent the conversion of tribals to Christianity. Modi said that he saw nothing wrong in extending state help to prevent conversions of tribals and to facilitate “reconversions” -- even though tribals are historically animists, not Hindus.

As religious ceremonies continued throughout the first day, participants grumbled at the lack of proper sanitation and other basic facilities, noise levels and dust. At the same time, the organizers credited themselves for successfully planning the massive gathering in one of the least developed areas in the country.

Many of the bookstalls at the festival selling literature promoting Hindutva (Hindu nationalist) ideology were also seen selling provocative material targeting Christian missionaries. One bookstall also sold books glorifying the anti-Muslim Gujarat riots which caused the massacre of thousands of Muslims at the hands of frenzied Hindu mobs.

Having attracted attention from the international community, the organizers were unable to carry out assaults on Christian tribals, missionaries, churches and Christian institutions in the Dangs region on the first day. The situation continued to be sensitive, however, as more Hindus gathered on the second and the third days.

Festival of Joy

The threat of reconversions and violence was not enough to dampen the spirit of celebration of many local Christians as they gathered February 10 for a three-day Joy Mahotsav (Festival of Joy).

The Festival of Joy is an annual event in the area bringing in more than 25,000 local Christians participants from the Dangs and the surrounding areas. It is organized by Joy Ministries, headed by the Rev. Vijay Gavit from Khodtalav village, Taluka Vyara, District Surat.

This year, the threat of the Hindu rally loomed large over the preparation of the festival. Still, more than 10,000 local Christians attended the first day.

Political leaders and senior Christian leaders from the area were present on the stage, in addition to the main speaker, the Rev. Suresh Babu, and the worship team. The event also showcased prominent Christian artists from Mumbai especially invited to minister with songs of worship during the event.

As local Christians traveled to the venue for the Festival of Joy, they met thousands of VHP and RSS supporters on their way to the Hindu rally. Still, peace was maintained and no clashes were reported.

Police fortified the rally site at Subir, Dangs, even as Suresh Kulkarni, the joint general secretary of the Shabri Kumbh Samiti (organizing committee), released a press statement assuring the authorities and the media that “there will be no reconversions or any law and order problem and that peace will prevail.”

The police presence at the Festival of Joy, however, was limited to 15 men and a police van to cater to the needs of more than 10,000 Christians. As the evening progressed, many policemen could be seen raising their hands in worship as they prayed along with the local Christians for healing and deliverance.

The local Member of Parliament, Mr. Tusshar Choudhary, openly proclaimed his commitment to the Christian community, saying that if anyone tries to harm even a single Christian Adivasi in the area, they would first have to deal with him. He also said that the Christian Adivasis and the other Adivasis were being manipulated to fight against each other by the Hindutva BJP Party and their allies.

He asked the Christian community for prayer for strength as he worked to eliminate the influential powers trying to destroy the area. He began his speech with a loud cry of “Praise the Lord,” and ended it with “Jai Yeshu!” (Victory belongs to the Lord Jesus). Choudhary is not a professing Christian but a Hindu.

Other political leaders, including the Member of Legislative Assembly, echoed similar sentiments as they pointed out the positive changes brought to the area by the gospel of Jesus Christ. After tribals embrace Christianity, they said, the power of Jesus makes them into ideal citizens and good human beings.

“We need to pray for Christians caught in the volatile situation in India,” says Open Doors USA President Dr. Carl Moeller. “The Hindu extremists want to intimidate Christians, so pray that Christians there will stand strong in their faith.”