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Converts by faith, Hindu on paper |
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By: Agencies |
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Date:
2008-10-27 |
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Place: Kandhamal |
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Attacked: A damaged church remains in Tengedapathar, Orissa. PIC/AP | There has been a 66 per cent growth in Christian population in Orissa's Kandhamal region, which has seen a spate of attacks on Christians in the recent past. Of the 42,353 who adopted Christianity between 1991 and 2001, only two followed the law to change religion.
"The Christian growth rate in the district is 66 per cent as against 18.6 per cent for the overall population growth in the district," said District Collector Krishan Kumar. Kumar added that the Orissa Freedom of Religious Act, which came into action in 1989, allows people to adopt any religion, but all such individuals need to submit a form to the district magistrate.
"We have received just two applications not just between 1991 and 2001, but between 1989 and 2008," explained Kumar. At least 38 people, including a Central Reserve Police Force trooper, lost their lives in the recent clashes. While over 3,000 houses, mostly belonging to Christians, were gutted or vandalised in Kandhama. "Yes, there is a growth in Christian population, but that does not mean fanatics from organisations like Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad can kill people," said Hemant Naik, a rights activists from Udaygiri town.
"While talking about conversions, we must also talk about reconversion. While no one has complained about their change in faith to Christianity, 62 people have registered complaints about forced reconversion to Hinduism," said Issac Digal, another activist. |
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