SarthakGanguly
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I had 2 instances - personal ones in Odisha, near Sambalpur. The Church has an extensive network of slaves there. The tribals are converted, instructed to break their idols and send their kids to convents in the same area. These are called Educational Missions. Then these folks are routinely 'employed' by the Church sponsored 'self help' groups on forestry related businesses - starting from poaching to illegal felling of trees for wood - you name it.
Payment is usually some minimal food(nutrition standards have not improved one bit in the areas inspite of strong missionary presence). The folks can't leave because their kids are 'protected' inside Educational Missions. Some touts among the tribals also act like Kapos and keep the rest in line, in return for better treatment.
When a new district magistrate tries to build a new road (that would bring the local administration to the area) the missionaries do their best to prevent it. The illegal business gets a hit, even in the worst case, they are forced to provide a cut to the sarkari babus. In the best case scenario(for India) they are arrested. The latter is very very very rare. Usually, the magistrate is killed, the roads mined, the collector's office blown up. The blame is pinned on the 'Maoists'.
The men in clean white robes continue to rule.
The other incident was in Chattisgarh, about 180km from Raipur during a relief work. Since the only hospital in the area was a Christian hospital, we had to keep our stocks there. There we were witness to the most disgusting forms of prejudice. Christian patients were given the best of treatment, that was expected. But the Hindu/Animist patients were openly given a choice to convert, otherwise pay a much higher amount for life saving drugs! This blackmail we had to endure for a week. When we protested the treatment, we were curtly told to lodge a complaint. This man was a 'Father' a 'respectable holy man'. We left the area after another day.
Payment is usually some minimal food(nutrition standards have not improved one bit in the areas inspite of strong missionary presence). The folks can't leave because their kids are 'protected' inside Educational Missions. Some touts among the tribals also act like Kapos and keep the rest in line, in return for better treatment.
When a new district magistrate tries to build a new road (that would bring the local administration to the area) the missionaries do their best to prevent it. The illegal business gets a hit, even in the worst case, they are forced to provide a cut to the sarkari babus. In the best case scenario(for India) they are arrested. The latter is very very very rare. Usually, the magistrate is killed, the roads mined, the collector's office blown up. The blame is pinned on the 'Maoists'.
The men in clean white robes continue to rule.
The other incident was in Chattisgarh, about 180km from Raipur during a relief work. Since the only hospital in the area was a Christian hospital, we had to keep our stocks there. There we were witness to the most disgusting forms of prejudice. Christian patients were given the best of treatment, that was expected. But the Hindu/Animist patients were openly given a choice to convert, otherwise pay a much higher amount for life saving drugs! This blackmail we had to endure for a week. When we protested the treatment, we were curtly told to lodge a complaint. This man was a 'Father' a 'respectable holy man'. We left the area after another day.
Caste System is a liability for Hinduism and a powerful weapon for Evangelicals. I hope it gets destroyed, else it will eliminate all that we hold dear.This issue is having many aspects not only political but even social and religious.
I am seeing its in other way , BJP is trying to secure all the Hindu votes. Hindu organizations biggest challenge would be to finish off the caste issues.