02-17-2006, 12:35 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>HINDU EXTREMISTS IN INDIA CALL FOR NATIONWIDE ANTI-CONVERSION LAW</b>
Speakers at the Shabri Kumbh, a "reawakening" event organized by Hindu extremists in the Dangs district of western India's Gujarat state last weekend encouraged tribal Christians to "reconvert" and passed a resolution calling on the Indian government to enact a nationwide anti-conversion law. At press time, however, there were no reported attacks or attempts to reconvert tribal Christians as a result of the event --
in part due to a heavy police and military presence in the area. Organizers and local sources <b>estimated that 300,000 Hindus converged </b>on the Dangs region for the three-day rally that began on Saturday, Feb. 11, although the official <b>government figure stands at 160,000</b>. A Gujarati police official who spoke on condition of anonymity said the local people of Dangs were not happy about the event. "Most residents stayed in their homes and did not take part," he said.<b> "Most of the Dangs people who did go to the rally were from the poorest tribes -- paid off by the organizers who offered free food and transport."</b>
(Compass/Assist News Service)<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Christian fundmentalist version.
Speakers at the Shabri Kumbh, a "reawakening" event organized by Hindu extremists in the Dangs district of western India's Gujarat state last weekend encouraged tribal Christians to "reconvert" and passed a resolution calling on the Indian government to enact a nationwide anti-conversion law. At press time, however, there were no reported attacks or attempts to reconvert tribal Christians as a result of the event --
in part due to a heavy police and military presence in the area. Organizers and local sources <b>estimated that 300,000 Hindus converged </b>on the Dangs region for the three-day rally that began on Saturday, Feb. 11, although the official <b>government figure stands at 160,000</b>. A Gujarati police official who spoke on condition of anonymity said the local people of Dangs were not happy about the event. "Most residents stayed in their homes and did not take part," he said.<b> "Most of the Dangs people who did go to the rally were from the poorest tribes -- paid off by the organizers who offered free food and transport."</b>
(Compass/Assist News Service)<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Christian fundmentalist version.