Orissa BJP to campaign against conversion in state

New Delhi, Nov 5 (UNI) The Orissa Unit of BJP has said it would launch a campaign against conversion of innocent people to other faiths in the tribal districts of the state.

State unit General Secretary Batakrushna Patra said religious preachers from other faiths, taking advantage of poverty and diseases such as malaria and leprosy in the state, were converting the tribals forcibly to their religion.

Foreign tourists and NRIs coming to the state on tourist visa were campaigning for religious conversion in the state, alleged Mr Patra, who is in charge of Navarangpur district.

These religious organisations had been receiving funds from the United States for voluntary works, but spending them for religious conversions, alleged Mr Patra in a statement.

They have set up dispensaries and educational institutions in remote tribal villages in Kalahandi and Navarangpur districts as a front to carry out conversions of innocent and uneducated tribals, he alleged.

There is allegation that John Thomas, an NRI of South Indian origin from the US, had established an organisation named 'Sholam' and spearheading the conversion by alluring them with money.

The conversion of a large number of tribals in villages was leading to social discord, fights and violence among the peace-loving communities, he further alleged.

UNI PAT VA BD1835