Tamil Nadu dalit Christians to return to Hindu fold

February 29, 2008 Mynews.in

Alleging discrimination in churches, about 185 Dalit Christian families in Tirunelveli district have decided to reconvert to Hinduism on the occasion of mahasivarathiri, on March 6 at Sri Nellaiappar Temple. Organised by the Hindu Makkal Katchi (HMK), the reconversion ceremony will be held in the presence of about 25 pontiffs from both saivite and vaishnavite mutts. Says HMK state president Arjun Sampath, “This is the first time such a reconversion ceremony is taking place on a mass scale in Tamil Nadu. We want to make it clear to the converted Dalits that it is possible to reconvert to Hinduism. This ceremony will serve as a springboard for many discriminated dalits of other faiths, whose forefathers were Hindus, to embrace their original faith again.” According to Naresh Ambedkar, a Dalit Christian and a member of the reconversion ceremony committee, though 185 Dalit Christian families have openly expressed their willingness to reconvert, another 100 or more families, had also volunteered, but did not want their names to be disclosed. All of them were from Palayamkottai, Radhapuram, Sankarankoil and Thaalaiyoothu in Tirunelveli district and Sathankulam in Thoothukudi district. .Ambedkar says, “Of the 300 families, 250 are Roman Catholics coming under the Catholic Diocese of Palayamkottai and the rest belong to CSI and Pentecostal churches.” These Dalit Christians claim that several forms of discrimination in their dioceses had forced them to opt for Hinduism. Ambedkar alleges, “Although the missionaries obtain huge funds from abroad saying they would help our community, the funds really do not help in improving our status.” He wants the diocese to come out with a white paper on the utilisation of funds. Alden, another Dalit Christian of Thaalaiyoothu, said, “Two generations ago, our ancestors converted from Hinduism to Christianity to get rid of the crude practice of untouchability. But the very purpose has been defeated. We are still discriminated against on the basis of our caste. The practice of burying the dead in separate cemeteries is a classic example of caste bias. So our family of seven, including four women, has decided to return to our parent religion.” Aware of similar caste discrimination in Hinduism, he says, “There is not going to be much of a difference. Still, we prefer to reconvert as we see Hinduism as a way of life. At least, we will be able to enjoy the benefits of reservation if we reconvert to Hinduism.” There are four priests among those who are getting reconverted, claims Mr.Sampath. Meanwhile, the HMK has made preparations for the reconversion ceremony, which it prefers to call “Return-to-parent- religion festival.” Sampath says, “Pontiffs will perform rituals for those returning to their original faith at the Nellaiappar temple. They will sprinkle the holy water from the river Ganges on them to endorse their entry into the Hindu fold.” However, the organisers are now awaiting permission from the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment to conduct the ceremony at the temple. “If the government does not allow us to perform the ritual, we will accomplish it on Dr.Ambedkar’s birth anniversary on April 14 at a mandapam,” they said.

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